Small Mosques And Tombs - Abbasids

 Although popular, the hypostyle mosque was not the only type of mosque built during this period. At Nayriz in Iran, for example, the prayer all of the mosque consists of a single barrel vault, open at the end, a type of space known as Iwan. Iwan has been used for centuries in Iranian architecture, but no earlier mosques incorporating them are known. 

Single barrel Vault

The early date of the Nayriz mosque is suggested by an inscription in the mihrab which mentions that the mosque had been built in 973/974, repaired in 1067/68, and repaired again in 1164/65. some scholar believes that small, domed cubes also served as a mosque in early Islamic Iran. The updated doomed mosques at Yazd-i Khwast and Qurwa, for example, maybe older buildings that have been converted into mosques.

Yazd-i Khwast and Qurwa

In addition to Friday mosques meant to serve the entire community, there was also a smaller mosque built to serve smaller segments. At Siraf, for example, at least 10 small mosques, ranging in size between 320 and 1100 square feet, were found in residential quarters of the site. Most of these were simple rectangular structures entered through a yard divided by an arcade that supported the roof. Three of them are staircase minaret, an early type known from the Umayyad period.

From archeological evidence, the most widespread type of small mosque was a square structure with four internal columns and piers supporting nine domes. This type is found from Spain to central Asia. One of the best examples of nine domed mosques is found at Balkh. The building is square and measures 66 feet on each side. The walls are built of baked brick, but all of the nine domes they originally supported have fallen. The glory of the building is its decoration.

Other buildings erected in the provinces during this period were tombs, which are known from textual sources and monumental remains. Tombs were also built for local rulers. The earliest complete example to survive is the tomb of Samanids at Bukhara. Tombs were also erected in Egypt.

Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula - Architecture In India

Itmad-ad-daula was the little bestowed upon Mirza Ghiyas Beg by emperor Jehangir.

According to Persian descent, Mirza Ghiyaz Beg became the first wealthy and became Prime Minister under Emporer Jehangir.

His daughter, Nur Jahan, later married the emperor and sent a mausoleum to honor his father's memory at his death in 1622 AD

Itimad-ud-daula and his wife are buried in the central chamber, his brother and sister and other members of his family occupy the four corners.

The Mausoleum was commenced in 1622 A.D and complete in 1628 A.D.

Many artifacts of the tomb symbolize the Taj Mahal.

Itmad-ud-din Daula was the first Mughal building to be completely enclosed with marble and heavily used in Pietra dura, a marble installation associated with the Taj Mahal.

Architectural Features:

The Tomb of modest scale, built on low lt form that is 4 feet high.

It has a square plan measuring  68'- 10', subdivided into 9 chambers, with 4 corner octagonal towers in form of minarets.

The kiosks of minarets consist of small hemispherical cupolas resting on small arches supported by 8 pilasters.

The roof pavilions impart a distinct  Hindu feel in its use of Bengali roof , completed by wide overhang, or eaves

Sandstone pathways lead up to the main tomb.

Each facade has a central arched entrance, flanked by two arches that are filled by beautiful marble screens.

Fine corbels support a marble tracery running along its length.

The platform and tomb are embellished with mosaics and Pietra and pietra dura inlay work of stone. 

Inlay marble art was practiced for many years, but this was the first attempt to imitate Persian Persian ornaments and tile work.

The interior is a series of rooms and corridors arranged around a verandah that contains the central chamber containing cenotaph.

The square roof Pavillion above the central chamber allows the light to filter down through its marble screen to washover the two yellow cenotaphs of Itimad ud Daua and his wife.

Muqarana squinches decorate the soffits of corner chambers and the main hall.

The surface above the dados has regularly distributed niches, alcoves, and decorative panels that allow for variation in decoration.