Islamic+and+Later+Medieval+Hindu+Architecture

The first Islamic dynasty in India came from Turkey and Afghanistan and spread quickly in India. Unlike the Hindu caste system, Islam allowed people to share more equally in the religion. Thus, it quickly became popular, particularly with those belonging to lower castes. Unlike Hinduism and Buddhism, Islam does not allow for the worship of idols. So, Islamic rulers would deconstruct Hindu buildings, which, to them, violated this sacred law and used the materials for their own temples. Since Islam does not allow for the worship of idols, mosques lack figurative imagery. Instead the art is abstract and full of complex geometric patterns.

Quwwat al-Islam means "Mosque of the Might of Islam". It was built by the first Islamic Dynasty in India as a means to establish themselves and their religion in the area. For functional purposes, a mosque only has to be large enough for people to congregate. However, large calling towers referred to as minars, used to announce the time of prayer, became incorporated into the design as a symbol of the religion. Standing at a height of 239 feet, the Qutab Minar served as a display of the power and victory of Islam in New Delhi.
 * Qutab Minar, Quwwat al-Islam mosque, New Delhi, 1199 1230**

Qutab Minar with detail - http://www.indiavisitinformation.com/indian-culture/indian-monument/QUTAB-MINAR-in-india.shtml

The Taj Mahal was built by the 5th Mughal ruler, Emperor Shah Jahan. The Mughals came to India from northern Asia. They believed themselves to be decedents of Genghis Khan and other terrifying ancient rulers and so gave themselves titles like "ruler of the world". The Taj Mahal was built as a mortuary monument for his deceased wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of their 14th child. The basic design was borrowed from Persian architecture. However, Mughal architecture developed into its own unique style, blending Persian influence and native Indian design with their own ideas of unity through symmetry. The Mughals believed that art should reflect God's beauty and that God's beauty is reflected in the natural world. Thus, they decorated the building with incredibly detailed reliefs and inlays of animals and plants. Everything is as extravagant as possible because it was intended as not only a tomb for a loved wife, but also as a throne for God. The wife's actual tomb is under the building, to signify that when the second coming takes place she will be literally under the throne of God.
 * Taj Mahal, Agra, India. Mughal period, 1630-1653**

Taj Mahal - http://www.livingpictures.org/Taj-Mahal.htm

Rendering of the Taj Mahal showing the symmetry of Mughal design - http://www.taj-mahal.net/augEng/textMM/archesengN.htm

Qutab Minar. Retrieved October 24, 2008 from the India4World website. http://www.indiavisitinformation.com/indian-culture/indian-monument/QUTAB-MINAR-in-india.shtml
 * Image References:**

Taj Mahal. Retrieved October 24, 2008 from the Living Being Media website. http://www.livingpictures.org/Taj-Mahal.htm

Taj Mahal (rendering). Retrieved October 24, 2008 from the Explore the Taj Mahal website. http://www.taj-mahal.net/augEng/textMM/archesengN.htm