Characteristics And Influences Of Mughal Islamic Ornamentation Of The 17th Century: A Case Study Of Wazir Khan And Badshahi Mosque

Islamic ornaments of the Mughal era (17th century) face a significant recognition gap in the academic visual literature of South Asia, especially Pakistan. It is well established that the representation of Mughal Islamic architecture and ornaments are more effective than the architectural structures...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Zahra, Fatima
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:http://eprints.usm.my/60367/1/FATIMA%20ZAHRA%20-%20TESIS24.pdf
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Summary:Islamic ornaments of the Mughal era (17th century) face a significant recognition gap in the academic visual literature of South Asia, especially Pakistan. It is well established that the representation of Mughal Islamic architecture and ornaments are more effective than the architectural structures of the Mughal era, like courts, gardens, seals, tombs, etc. This study aims to identify the distinguishing characteristics of Mughal Islamic Ornaments. It specifically explored the influences of the 17th-century Western and Eastern art forms on the ornamentation of the Wazir Khan and Badshahi Mosques built by Mughal emperors. The two mosques are not only significant for the study just because they were constructed during the Mughal period under Shahjahan and Aurangzeb emperors, who are famous for their architectural interests, but also because they are on the UNESCO world heritage tentative List from 1993. This significance subsequently broadens the context of Mughal Islamic Ornamentation. Formalism (OPTIC strategy of visual analysis) and hermeneutic approach will be fused in this qualitative research to analyse and interpret the Mughal Islamic Ornaments of the two mosques. The study identified the characteristics, explored the influences, and analysed the ornaments of two mosques. Findings have shown that Mughal Islamic Ornaments are aesthetic and conceptual historically rooted visuals that are not Islamic except calligraphy. However, when painted and crafted on religious buildings or in religious environment i.e., mosques, they symbolize/represent a divine philosophy that stimulates the Greatness of God and religious teachings. Last but not least, this research offers a proposal for further research and studies pertinent to the study's area.