Islamic Architecture - Essay Example

Islamic architects borrowed much from the fallen Persian Empire’s architecture. Much later after seeing fusions with many traditions, when Islam came into the subcontinent, the already prevailing Indian architecture had to adapt itself with this new religion (Metcalf). Arches, mosques and domes began to appear on the scene along with the Hindu mandirs. Muslim rulers introduced these Islamic traditions and also borrowed elements from Hindu architecture to further decorate their own buildings.

Islamic architecture was represented by a distinctive regional panache. This was the time when Islamic architecture was heavily under the influence of Persian, Turkish and Jerkasi traditions followed by Fatmids, Salejuqs, Atabeqids, Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans. The influences upon the architecture were not the choice of Muslim architects and artist; instead, they were Muslim rulers who decided to incorporate foreign traditional elements prevailing in the environment, to enhance their own architecture.

The most significant examples of Islamic architecture facing syncretism are seen during the Mughal period. Buildings that were constructed during Mughal era were inspired by the Indian architecture with slight touches from Persian architecture. The city of Fatehpur Sikri shows big examples of fusion of Hindu and Islamic architecture encouraged by Akbar. Taj Mahal in Agra depicts religious syncretism and is famous for its beautiful architecture enhanced by white marbles, sophisticated carvings and minarets.

These styles that were encouraged during the medieval period were neither purely Islamic nor Indian; instead, these were a fusion of the two religions and their traditions. Going back into history, Ottomans inculcated Byzantine architectural features into Islamic architecture when they took the city from Byzantines and transformed the cathedral into a mosque.