The Syncretic Traditions of Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir (Early 14th –18th Century)

This book traces the historical identity of Kashmir within the context of Islamic religious architecture between early fourteenth and mid-eighteenth century. It presents a framework of syncretism within which the understanding of this architectural tradition acquires new dimensions and possibilities in the region. In a first, the volume provides a detailed overview of the origin and development of Islamic sacred architecture while contextualizing it within the history of Islam in Kashmir. Covering the entirety of Muslim rule in the region, the book throws light on Islamic religious architecture introduced with the establishment of the Muslim Sultanate in the early fourteenth century, and focuses on both monumental and vernacular architecture. It examines the establishment of new styles in architecture, including ideas, materials and crafts introduced by non-Kashmiri missionaries in the late-fourteenth to fifteenth century. Further, it discusses how the Mughals viewed Kashmir and embellished the land with their architectural undertakings, coupled with encounters between Kashmir’s native culture, with its identity and influences introduced by Sufis arriving from the medieval Persianate world. The book also highlights the transition of the traditional architecture to a pan-Islamic image in the post-Independence period. With its rich illustrations, photographs and drawings, this book will interest students, researchers, and professionals in architecture studies, cultural and heritage studies, visual and art history, religion, Islamic studies and South Asian studies. It will also be useful to professional architecture institutes, public libraries, museums, cultural and heritage bodies as well as the general reader interested in the architectural and cultural history of South Asia. This book provides a detailed overview of the origin and development of Islamic religious architecture while contextualizing it within the history of Islam in Kashmir between early fourteenth and mid-eighteenth century in a framework of syncretism. Cover 1 Endorsements 2 Half Title 4 Title Page 6 Copyright Page 7 Dedication 8 CONTENTS 10 List of figures and plates 11 Acknowledgements 15 Note on transliteration 17 1. Introduction 18 2. The formative period: 1320–1389 CE 38 3. Establishment of a style: 1389–1586 CE 71 4. The mughal interlude: 1586–1752CE 152 5. Resurgence of the local idiom: 1752–1847 CE 191 6. Conclusion: Transition to a pan-islamic image in post-independence period 212 Appendix: The origin of Major Sufi orders in Kashmir 225 Glossary 227 Bibliography 229 Index 239 Islamic,architecture;,Kashmir;,syncretisim;,regional,identity;,muslim,culture;,India;,medieval;,khanqah;,Sufi;,mosque Islamic architecture,Kashmir,syncretisim,regional identity,muslim culture,India,medieval,khanqah,Sufi,mosque