THE CHRONOLOGY OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN PAKISTAN · 2019-03-13 · of the four canonical texts of Hinduism composed approximately between 1500 and 1000 BCE, describes Sindhu (Indus)

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THE CHRONOLOGY OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN PAKISTAN

Dr Muhammad Fakhar Moeen

Lecturer, Department of Arabic Language

National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad

Email: [email protected]

Cell Phone: 0092 300 377 9797

ABSTRACT

Islamic Republic of Pakistan is rich in different civilizations that were formed

throughout various eras in today’s Pakistan region. These civilizations begin from the Indus

valley civilization almost 2500 BC old which is considered an exceptional civic civilization

established with broad architectural facilities, some of which still exists today. It was overcome

by the Gandhara pattern of art which deduced its influence from primitive Greek; Its proof is

provided in Taxila, the main city of this civilization. Islamic civilization in Pakistan

encompasses a wide range of Islamic and religious styles of architecture and it has unique

characteristics like its geometric and interlace pattern that is derived from different cultures

from Roman, Persian, to Indian and Byzantine Chinese architectures. The main Islamic

civilization in Pakistan contains different architectural sorts of buildings which are the Tomb,

the Palace, the Fort and the Mosque. The terminology of Islamic architecture is extracted from

these different architectural style of constructions in addition to some other architectures like

fountains, public bathrooms and domestic architectural constructions. The advent of religion

Islam in Pakistan’s region was initially in province Sindh in the eighth century which resulted

an eradication of Buddha’s pattern of construction. Then it was a gentle changeover different

architecture type called Islamic architecture. The focal point of this study is to highlight major

Islamic civilization symbols in Pakistan. The First section of this study discusses remnants in

the country in general whereas the remnants related purely to Islamic architecture will be

discussed in the second section of the study.

Introduction

Pakistan is a country, which is blessed with in physical/natural beauty. It has many from

rivers, lakes, hills, plains, mountains in addition to variety of climate seasons all through year.

These resources are holding a broad impact on the living of the Pakistani people.

Pakistan is a prehistoric land, the cradle of one of the four ancient civilizations. Many

historical processes have left their indelible marks on the land and its people. From the

prehistoric habitations of Mehrgarh to ancient civilizations in the fertile plains of the Indus

Valley and the verdant hills of Gandhara, the people of Pakistan have inherited a genius that

informs their heritage.

This region of today’s Pakistan has witnessed many ups and downs for different ages,

that formulated the architectural pattern for the region. an ancient blooming dynasty is around

2500 BC which is famous as “Indus Valley Civilization”. After the decline of “Indus

Civilization” the popular cultural atmosphere in the area went through switch accompanied by

the incursion by Aryan people, later invasion by “Gandhara; Indo Greek civilization”.

This region which is now Pakistan has been a target of various invasions from its every

routes such as mountains and sea, which imported new class of people and ideas changing the

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culture of its people. These invasions were from different type of nations like Dravidians,

Aryans, Parthians, Sakas, Greeks, Hun, Kushans, Afghans, Mongols and Turks, who all

introduced their different and unique cultures and this blend of different cultures gave Indian

Civilization a new height.

On the other hand, Islam entered this region and influenced everything from domes,

minarets, Urdu alphabets, culture of famous melodies of Sassi Punni Hir Ranjah in addition to

its Persian and Arabic heritage of popular Shireen Farhad and Lalia Majnu, then comes Shah

Nama and Arabian Nights. This influence is obvious in everywhere such as Qaseeda, Nazam,

Ghazal and Qawwali trend of Amir Khusru and the Sittar, in addition to many of saints and

Mughal mini paintings, handicrafts carried out in Multan and Bahawalpur, wood work with

Kashmiri carpets.

The next part of this essay discusses how the architectural landscape that Pakistan is

and how its beauty and natural environment has stood consistent despite being in the news for

all the wrong reasons.

Pakistan; A Poor man’s Europe

Pakistan has distinctive cultural identity from Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush

ranges to Thar and Cholistan deserts, rugged hills and valleys of Balochistan and sparkling

Arabian Sea, the land of Pakistan has cradled human habitations.

The architectural heritage, which we find today from old civilizations of Pakistan

especially civilizations of Gandhara and Indus valley, is not found in complete structure. The

effect of different invaders such as Buddhists, Persians, Aryans, Greeks and Arab can be seen

too in the shape of dewasted places. The architectural abundance especially for Punjab

province, is immensely effected through many notable durations as were Hindu (before 1000

AD), Mughal (1526 – 1759), Pathan (1000-1526 AD), Sikh (1759 – 1849 AD) and British

(1849 – 1947 AD). In different historical eras, a number of constructions was built by

extinguished ingredients.

Indus Valley Civilization:

Indus Valley (3000-1300 BCE) is one of the four mature civilizations of the world.

Across 250 acres on a series of mounds, Moenjodaro, its prime city was the most advanced in

contemporary South Asia. The city was governed as city-state as no evidence of kings and

queens has been discovered either in Moenjodaro in Sindh. Harappa another city of the

civilization in Punjab.

There were two main portions of the Indus valley starting from Harappa based around

western Punjab and indus valley in Sindh majorly around Mohanjedaro. Coincidentally Aryans

were the ones running these areas and were known for urban grain growing.i

Evidence suggests that these two cities Moenjodaro and Harappa had profound

knowledge of city planning. Both had evolved a uniform system of weights and measures and

made bricks whose dimensions were in Proportion of 4:2:1 considered in line with the ideal

strength of the brick structure. Buttons made from sea shells and ivory combs were in use

besides bangles worn by females. The practice of dyeing also relates to Moenjodaro.





Archaeologists have found private bathrooms at the ground floor of most houses highlighting

the use of flush toilets.ii

It is worth mentioning that residents of both Harappa and Moenjodaro are believed to

have good architectural sense in the shape of developed drainage systems, double storied

bricked houses and a communal bath central to religious activities. The houses had a luxurouys

feel to them with personal wash rooms, wells and guest rooms. Items such as stone jewellery

were also identified. There is also a dancing girl statue there today that indicates that

Mohanjedaro might have also been the birthplace of modern day modelling.iii

Indus Valley Civilization is also the first literate civilization of South Asia. Goods

produced by it were exported to Egypt, Sumer, and Ur, a fact that informs its international

connections and knowledge of the world outside its boundaries. Indus Valley inhabitants were

given the name ‘Meluhha’ by the Babylonians because of their fondness for sea voyages. The

diks built by the Indus Valley people are believed to be the first in the world. The Rigveda, one

of the four canonical texts of Hinduism composed approximately between 1500 and 1000 BCE,

describes Sindhu (Indus) as the cradle of civilization. The Ramayana mentions Sindh as part

of the empire of Dasaratha.

Scholars from different universities of the world like Harward University, University

of Wisconsin and New York University working on the ancient civilizations in collaboration

with the Archaeology Department and Museums of the Government of Pakistan said that a new

study of artifacts revealed presence of silk at the site of Harappa which indicates the use of silk

by the Indus Valley Civilization.

Ganghara:

Gandhara is another landmark on Pakistan’s archaeological landscape. It is situated in

the northwest of Pakistan, its boundaries extended to Lahore in the east of Pakistan and to the





west into Afghanistan. Occupying a prominent position at a crossroads, Gandhara facilitated

ancient Pakistan’s international relations.iv

It is undoubtedly cleared that there were signs identified in other ancient sites such as

hadda, Peshawar and Taxila that referred towards Gandhara which effectively means that its

history also carries Greek, Persian and related influence directly or indirectly.v

Rigveda mentioned Gandhara as a tribe. In historical literature, it was first mentioned

as “part of the Achaemenian Empire” during the time of Cyrus the Great. Over the centuries,

it developed into a place where contemporary scientific, political, social and religious ideas, as

well as art and crafts of diverse lands met and influenced each other.vi

Taxila, the ancient city of Gandhara has been described as the wealthiest in

contemporary South Asia. Its prosperity was result of its location “Gandhara was located at the

nucleus point of trade from Eastern India, Kashmir leading to central Asia and gateway from

Western Asia from the other side.” It attracted distinguished preachers including Apostle

Thomas and Apollonius of Tyna that was described by biographer “Philostratus” Taxila as

strong city which was built by planning arrival to Nineveh in size.

King Ambhi in Taxila received Alexander Great around 320 BCE. In the following

seven centuries Greek influence introduced classical traditions that became an important part

of the Gandhara heritage. It is said that Mahabharata was recited for the first time at Taxila by

Vaismpayana, a disciple of Veda Vyasa. Buddhist literature including Jataka mentions Taxila

as a great center of learning. Taxila was also visited by the famous Chinese monk Fa Hien in

405 CE. The city is mentioned in his travelogue titles A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms.

Another well-known Chinese called “Hieun Tsang” also called “Xuanzang”, came to Taxila in

six hundred and thirty CE.vii

Analysts have expressed the view that the world’s first university was established at

Taxila called Takshashila University, it existed in the eighth century BCE. Analyst janaka

Perera opines that the institution effectively is the ancient most educational authority for

knowledge was found earlier tha Buddha civilization “this came in history even before

Achaeminid influence starting in Taxila.” Scholars opine that Buddha had undertaken a visit

to Sindh. It is said that given the extreme dry conditions, special permission was given by

Buddha to his followers to wear shoes when they traveled in Sindh.

Chandragupta Maurya, who later founded the Maurya dynasty, studied at Takshashila

University. Chanakya (Kautilya) taught politics and diplomacy in the University where he

wrote his masterpiece Arthashastra. It is said that Charaka, the famous ayurvedic physician

who wrote Charaka Samhita was a product Takshashila University. Atreya taught medicine

and surgery at Taxila.viii





What experts say about Pakistan’s rich old civilizations

Professor Tang Mengsheng, director of Center for Pakistan Studies in Peking University,

China: What we can identify as elements of culture in Pakistan are in fact a briedge between

the modern Pakistani society and the ancient ways of working that happened in this region back

in history. That is why we find unique charateristics and attributes today in various parts of the

country to understand which we first need to open the books of history.ix

Professor Dr. Michael Jansen RWTH Aachen Univeristy Germany: Pakistan contains lots of

historical artifacts that bridge modern society back to the sequence of history.x

Mr. Atsushi Noguchi Secretary General NPO Japan Centre for South Asian Cultural Heritage:

Gandhara is also the birthplace of Buddha; this then means that this civilization connects

different societies prevailing acorss the world.xi

Professor Koji Nishikawa Kyoto University Japan: the Gandhara civilization today stands as a

wise historian for us who is willing to teach us lessons from the past and advice for the future

to avoid potential rifts and clashes that have already happened in the past and its just that we

are not aware of them.xii

Professor Massimo Vidale University Degli Studi Di Padova Itlay: Residents of Pakistan were

well equipped in different types of architectural crafts from painted ceramics to geometric

patterns and scribbling on pottery that has come to this region as a gift since Meghargarh and

has continued in bloodlines ever since.xiii





Pakistan; the Islamic identity lives

It is undoubtedly evident that when Muhammad Bin Qasim was sent to this region to battle

against Raja Dahir and when Daybal fell at the very start of the 8th century, the Islamic empire

had established its foot marks in all regions up till Sindh.xiv

It is very important to say that control on Sindh as a province became much less focused post

the oust of Umayyad’s from the throne. Yet Abbasids looked after the region under Baghdad’s

flag until the 9th century.xv

Naturally wherever Muslims went, they needed places for Salat and hence we see beautiful

mosques spread across the region.xvi

In the Muslims states Islamic civilization dominated the rest for its beauty and art. The mosque,

tomb, palace and the fort were the key important buildings of that time. Sher Shah Suri

constructed the Rohtas fort in (1541-45) in the Jehlum region, Jahangir’s tomb near Lahore,

Badshahi Mosque made by Aurengzaib in Lahore are the finest examples of Islamic

civilization.xvii

This civilization shows Muslim architectural inventiveness, symbolism, originality and

materials through use of sandstone and marble. We are going to discuss few of the finest

Islamic symbols of Islamic civilization in Pakistan.

Rohtas Fort

Rostas Fort near Jhelum in the province of Punjab Pakistan is a architectural heritage of

Pakistan constructed by Sultan Sher Shah Suri (1541) with greyish green ashlar masonry of

sand stone known as Taraki stone.xviii

Additional examples of novel Muslim building styles can be seen embedded in the Rohtas fort;

a landmark that also influenced Mughals in some of their works across the region. It is nothing

less than architectural art.xix





The Mosque of Wazir Khan

This monument took seven years to complete under the supervision of the administrator of

Lahore commonly known as Wazir Khan. The long building time is justified once we see the

effort on tile work around this building; a start to Mughal influence.xx





Notably the building includes a massive courtyard that carries a marble fountain, there are 32

meditiation rooms around all sides and minarets that sky up to 100 feet. xxi

Badshahi Mosque Lahore

Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb constructed one of the most spacious mosques of his time situated

to the West of Lahore Fort. Badshahi Mosque, a monumental mosque constructed with red

sandstone is a blend of strength, harmony and grace. It is approached by a flight of 22 steps as

it is situated on a raised platform. The double-storey entrance covered with a central vault opens

into mosque courtyard. The main prayer hall is located on the west side of the courtyard while

the rooms or hujras surround the remaining three sides. The courtyard is dates of the water tank

on the eastern side. The main prayer hall is located on the West side. The roof of the prayer

hall has three white marble domes that are ornamented with pinnacles of brass. It has numerous

arched entrances; the central arch of the gateway is wide in comparison with other arches and

is ornamented with red sandstone inlaid with white marble.xxii





Shrine of Shah Rukn-i-Alam

A building constructed in blood red brick, the monument was offered to the sufi family after

Shah Rukn e Alam’s death.The architectural elements used in the making of this monument

include shisham woor, carved brick, calligraphy and arabesque designs. 72 of the sufi’s

descendants surround his sarcophasgus. The wooden mehrab is thought to be the first of its

kind.xxiii





Grand Monuments

The most eminent Islamic buildings in the Indian subcontinent were constructed by the Mughal

emperors. The Mughal builders followed Hindu and Persian architectural style. One of the most

important architectural traits of the Mughal regime characterized by patterns of mosaic which

were constructed with different colored stones and shinning tiles. The features of Mughal

architecture that inspired the world comprised of generously used overlapping arches, lofty

minarets, Persian style domes and large vaulted roofs. The example of great mosques and other

buildings constructed in this period include Moti/Pearl Mosque, Maryam Zamani Mosque,

Golden Mosque, Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens and Jahangir’s Tomb.xxiv “All of these

buildings are jewels in Pakistan’s tiara with marble and red sandstones used in ample quantity

in all.xxv





Summary

Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a very rich in beauties of nature and plateaus, which

keeps many God gifted things from sky high mountains, wildly spread deserts, lash green

plains, forests, deserts, undulating lakes, hill to rivers, four seasons and moderate climate round

the year. These resources leave a great impact on the lives of the Pakistani citizens. It is rich in

different civilizations as well that were built during different times in today Pakistan. Among

these civilizations; in the middle of the third century the “Indus civilization” which was a well

furnished society promoted with the construction of huge buildings with all facilities, a few of

them are still found today. The style of Gandhara practiced in architure of Buddha’s civilization

which derived influences from old Greek; its evidences are found in “Taxila capital of

Gandhara”. Islam entered this region now called Pakistan and influenced everything from

domes, minarets, Arabic pattern of writing and its alphabets used in Urdu language, culture of

old folk lorgs namely Heer Ranja and others. Arabian Nights and the Shah Nama, and later

tradition of Ghazal, Nazam and Qaseeda and Qawwalis of Ameer Khosro with the invention

of Sattar, moreover array of saints with Mughal architecture and handicrafts of Multan and

Bahawalpur, wood work Kashmiri carpets. While reviewing Islamic architectural civilization

in Pakistan, we realize that Pakistan encompasses a wide range of Islamic and religious styles

of architecture and it has unique characteristics like its geometric and interlace pattern that is

derived from Persian Roman Byzantine Chinese and Indian architectures. Pakistan is trying to

capture on western trends, ideas and models but also sticking on to every bit of Islam that can

be held on to.

From the Indus Valley Civilization to Gandhara, from the several Islamic monuments in

Pakistan and the ones that could not be discussed in this essay due to space and logistical issues

like Minar e Pakistan and Faisal mosque, from Sindhi folk music that provides medicine to

thousands of soul each day at Lal Shehbaz Qalandar’s shrine to tales of Heer and Ranjha

embedded across Punjab and from desi sports as manly as Kabbadi to as elegant as Polo with

angelic white horses, Pakistan is a gold mine for the broader world audience to study Islamic

perspectives and models that historically have driven everything we have discussed before

while the country tries to absorb western trends as well. In short Pakistan is the land of the pure

and will continue to be as long as Pakistanis remember everything we have discussed above.

References i Understanding Ancient Civilization: The Ancient Indus Valley, New Perspectives by Mcintosh, J. 2008, USA: ABC – CLIO, Inc. ii Ancient Pakistan P. 13 iii Understanding Ancient Civilization by Mcintosh, J. 2008 iv Ancient Pakistan p. 13 v Ghandhara Buddhism by Brancacciou, P. & Behrendt, K. 2006, University of British Columbia Canada. vi Ancient Pakistan p. 14 vii Ancient Pakistan p. 14 viii Ancient Pakistan p. 14 ix Ancient Pakistan P.10 x Ancient Pakistan P. 10 xi Ancient Pakistan P. 10 xii Ancient Pakistan P. 11 xiii Ancient Pakistan P.11 xiv A Short Account of Early Muslim Architecture by K.A.C Cresswell, 1958 p.9





xv The Cambridge History of India: Turks and Afghans by W. Haig, S. Chand and Company (Pvt.) Ltd., New Delhi xvi Early Mosques of South Asia and Impact of native Architecture: A Case Study of Banbhore, Mansura, Udigram and Quwwat ul Islam Mosques by Tauqeer Ahmad Warraich xvii Mughal Empire in India by S. R. Sharma 1999, Atlantic Publishers New Delhi India xviii Building Stone and State of Conservation of the Built Heritage of Pakistan by M.Y. Awan, Department of Architecture, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore Pakistan p. 13 xix World Heritage Centre UNESCO http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/586/ xx Wazir Khan Mosque by Maira, Pakistan 360 degrees website dated 18 Dec 2010 xxi Wazir Khan Mosque by Maira, Pakistan 360 degrees website dated 18 Dec 2010 xxii History of Mosque Architecture in Lahore by Mahwish Zafar Research Scholar Department of Architecture University of Engineering and Technology Lahore Pakistan, Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, Vol 4 Issue II Fall 2014 p. 31 xxiii UNESCO World Heritage Center http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1884/ xxiv History of Mosque Architecture in Lahore by Mahwish Zafar Research Scholar Department of Architecture University of Engineering and Technology Lahore Pakistan, Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, Vol 4 Issue II Fall 2014 p. 27 xxv UET Research Journal Y. M. Awan, 8(Jan-Jun 1994)


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THE CHRONOLOGY OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN PAKISTAN · 2019-03-13 · of the four canonical texts of Hinduism composed approximately between 1500 and 1000 BCE, describes Sindhu (Indus)