Imperial Ideology and Architecture: Damascus Under the Mamlūk Sultans (1260-1516 Ce) (Leiden Studies in Islam and Society, 19)

Leiden prides itself on a longstanding tradition of scholarship and publishing in the study of Islam and Muslim cultures in Western academia. From the very beginning both philological and historical approaches have been prominent in this endeavor, later extending to anthropological studies of Muslim societies. This new peer-reviewed series, Leiden Studies in Islam and Society (LSIS), a co-operation between Leiden University Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (LUCIS) and Brill, publishes the results of contemporary research on Islam and Muslim cultures by specialists in their own field. In addition to building on this Leiden tradition of combining textual and practice oriented approaches, the series also offers a platform for authors looking for new directions in Islamic studies. ‎Contents ‎Acknowledgments ‎Figures ‎Introduction ‎Chapter 1. The Architectural Complex of the amīr Khalīl al-Tawrīzī ‎1. Location, Construction History, and Financing ‎2. The Complex’s Unique Architectural Style ‎3. An Architectural Description of the Various Parts of the al-Tawrīzī Complex ‎3.1. The Mausoleum (al-ḍarīḥ or al-turba) ‎3.2. The Mosque ‎3.2.1. The Main Entrance ‎3.2.2. The Northern iwān (al-iwān al-shumālī) ‎3.2.3. The Prayer Hall (ḥaram al-ṣalāt) ‎2.3.4. The Summer Prayer Hall (al-muṣallā) and Place of Ablutions (al-mīḍāʾa) ‎3.3. Ceramic Tilework (qāshānī) in the al-Tawrīzī Complex ‎3.4. The Minaret ‎3.5. The Fountain (sabīl) ‎3.6. The Bathhouse (ḥammām) ‎3.6.1. The Outer Area (al-barrānī) ‎3.6.2. The Middle Area (al-wasṭānī) ‎3.6.3. The Inner Area (al-jawānī) ‎3.6.4. The Hot Water Reservoirs and Boiler Room (al-qamīm) ‎Chapter 2. Mapping the Relationship between Architecture and Politcal Ideology ‎1. The Effect of the System of Religious Endowments (waqf) on the Architecture and Continuity of the al-Tawrīzī Complex ‎2. The al-Tawrīzī Endowment (waqf), a Study of Form and Content ‎3. Political Symbolism in Mamlūk Architecture and Manifestations of Imperial Ideology in the Architectural Complex of Khalīl al-Tawrīzī ‎Conclusion ‎Appendix 1. The Text of the Endowment Inscription of the amīr Khalīl al-Tawrīzī, Issued on 15th Rajab 826/23 June 1423 ‎Appendix 2. The Arabic Text of the Endowment Inscription of the amīr Khalīl al-Tawrīzī, Issued on 15th Rajab 826/23 June 1423 ‎Bibliography ‎Index The goals and tactics of a state's ruling elite influence its artistic and architectural output, shaping the overall characteristics, orientation, and themes of its creations. Architecture reflects political ideology and historical events, showcasing the power and cultural values of the state, with implications for politics and authority. This book presents a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the intricate interplay between art, politics, and religion within the architectural legacy of Mamluk Damascus. It sheds light on how these dynamics enrich our comprehension of the past and contribute to contemporary dialogues concerning the preservation of cultural heritage.