The role of Iranian architecture on the architecture of Egyptian mosques

Mahdi Aliyari

doi:10.63053/ijset.61

Authors

Mahdi Aliyari Department of Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar Branch, Shabestar, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63053/ijset.61

Keywords:

Iranian architecture, mosques, Mamluk period, Egypt

Abstract

The construction of mosques holds exceptional importance within Islamic architecture, and these places can be considered as one of the most significant manifestations of Islamic art and architecture. Since there have been fewer studies specifically focusing on mosques in Egypt during a particular period within Islamic countries, our research aims to investigate how the architecture of mosques during the Mamluk period in Egypt was influenced by Iranian architecture. To achieve this, a number of mosques relevant to the studied period were examined using a descriptive-analytical approach. Based on the research findings, the utilization of Iranian architecture in Egyptian mosques demonstrates its cultural and artistic influence among Islamic countries. Considering that Mamluk architecture represents a historical period in the Islamic world and its outstanding contributions are evident in valuable structures such as mosque architecture, it is notable that as we witness changes in governing authorities throughout Egypt's historical eras, we also observe corresponding transformations in mosque architecture. Ultimately, it can be said that mosque architecture in Egypt has evolved in accordance with the worldviews of governing powers in each era, with the Mamluk architecture heavily influenced by the architecture of the Seljuk period in Iran.

References

Pirnia, Mohammad Karim, 2008. Mosques, Collection of Iranian Architecture, Islamic Period. Compiled by Yousef Kiani. Tehran: Samt Publication.

Hog, John, 1994. Architecture in the Islamic Lands, translated by Parviz Varjavand, Tehran, 2nd edition.

Mahdavi Nejad, Mohammad Javad, & Meshayekhi, Mohammad, 2010. Design Principles of the Mosque Based on Cultural-Social Functions, ArmanShahr Biannual.

Burckhardt, Titus, 1986. Islamic Art: Language and Expression, translated by Gholamhossein Memarian and Masoud Rajabnia, Tehran: Soroush Publication.

Al-Rafaei, Anwar, 2005. History of Art in the Islamic Lands, translated by Abdul Rahim Ghanavati, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Publications.

Soltanzadeh, Hossein; Ahmadi, Mohammad; Yousefifar, Shahram, 2015. Typology of Traditional Mosque Structures in Egypt Based on Islamic Governments, National Conference on Culture, Structure, and Environment in Islamic Architecture, Qazvin.

Habibi, Pat, & Zilabi, 2022. Architecture as Political Expression: The Impact of Contexts and Political Objectives on Mamluk Architectural Art (648-784 AH), History and Civilization of Islam.

Ardalan, Nader and Bakhtiar, Laleh, 2003. Sense of Unity, Tehran, Khalagh Publication.

Helen Brand, Robert, 1998. Islamic Architecture, translated by Iraj Etesam, Tehran, Urban Processing and Planning Company Publication.

Memarian, Gholamhossein, 1988. Design Niche Structures in Iranian Islamic Architecture, Volume 1, Tehran, University Jihad of Iran.

Hof, Dieter, 2010. Domes in Islamic Architecture, translated by Karamatollah Afsar and Mohammad Yousef Kiani, in Iranian Islamic Architecture, compiled by Mohammad Yousef Kiani, Tehran, Samt Publication.

Pirnia, Mohammad Karim, 2010. Mosques in Iranian Architecture, Islamic Period, compiled by Mohammad Yousef Kiani, Tehran, Samt Publication.

Mahmoudi, Abdollah, 2005. Review of the Importance of Iwan in Traditional Houses with a Special Focus on Bam, Fine Arts Journal, No. 22.

Pirnia, Mohammad Karim, 2003. Stylistic Analysis of Iranian Architecture, edited by Gholamhossein Memarian, Tehran, Pezhuhande Publication.

College, Malcolm, 2009. The Parthians, translated by Masoud Rajabnia, Tehran, Hirmand Publication.

Motadayen, Hashemallah, 2007. The Four-Iwan Domed Architectural Landmark in Iranian Mosques, Fine Arts Journal, No. 31.

Kiani, Mohammadi Youssef, Decorations Related to Iranian Islamic Architecture, Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran, Tehran, 1997.

Clifford Edmund Bosworth, 1992. The Islamic Dynasties, translated by Faridun Badreai, Institute for Cultural Studies and Research.

Sajjadi, Mohammad Sadegh; Bartholde, Vasili Vladimirovich; Linpool, Stanley; Adham, Khalil; Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed, 1984–1986. History of Islamic States and Ruling Dynasties, 2 Volumes, Tehran, Iran History Publishing.

Helmi, F. M., & Hefni, Y. K., 2020. Estimation of deterioration aspects of granitic columns at the Mosque of Al-Nasir Mohamed Ibn Qalawun, Cairo, Egypt. Advanced research in conservation science, 1(1), 34-51.

Behrens-Abouseif, D., 2007. Cairo of the Mamluks. A History of Architecture and Its Culture. IB Tauris.

Al-Harithy, H., 2000. The Patronage of al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, 1310-1341 (MSR IV, 2000).

Clot, André, 1996. L'Égypte des Mamelouks: L'empire des esclaves, 1250-1517. Paris: Perrin. pp. 375–377. ISBN 2262010307.

Kashif, M., 2017. Bahri Mamluk muqarnas portals in Egypt: Survey and analysis. Frontiers of architectural Research, 6(4), 487-503.

Jarrar, Sabri, "Al-Maqrizi's Reinvention of Egyption Historiography,"The Cairo Heritage,"ed. Doris Behrens-Abouseif, 2007. New York: American University in Cairo Press, 30-53.

Mahmoud, F. Mohamed, 2016. The Aesthetical Aspects for Monumentality of Mamluk Architecture Reasons and Analysis. Study Case: Sultan Hasan Complex in Cairo.

"Sultan al-Zahir Baybars Mosque". Archnet.org. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-02-26.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, 2023. Mamluk. Encyclopedia Britannica. [Online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mamluk