Architecture

Stalactite or Muqarnas Design In Arabic and Persian, stalactite is known as muqarnas a honey comb motif constituting a group of small arch cells one on the other reducing its position downward and in Greek stalactite means ‘a deposit of calcium carbonate’. This design is adopted to fill up the space at squinches to give more support to the upper portion. Stucco It is a lime-plaster which contains lime-stone power and the used very thickly on the wall or soffits (ceilings) for making incised, low relief of paintings work. The main purpose of stucco work is to make the surface smooth for good results.

Lotus Lotus represents the ‘principal of growth’ and is an ancient Hindu and Buddhist symbol. It also represented a seat of god because gods do not rest on the earth. During Mughal period in India, it was used as a building profusely in inverted as well as blooming form. Mosaic Mosaic or in lay work is a specialized art of decoration where the pieces of different material such as glass, glazed tiles, semi-precious stone, etc. in different colour are fitted in block or stab of stone/marble on the sketched design with their face downwards and then so that it could fill all empty place/gaps. This work can easily be seen at the monuments.

Gazing Tiles Glazing means to cover the surface of a tile, before cutting the tiles into desired size/design, with the mixture of copper carbonate and silica and it is kept on high continuous heat till a soft crystalline porous friable cake of colour is produced glazy surface has decorative and functional importance. Star of David Six-Pointed star created by a combination of two triangles, is an ancient Indian tantric symbol which represented power and is very important for performing all religious rituals. It is being decorated at spandrels of the arch of most of the Islamic buildings. Chevron (Zigzag Pattern) This is a Persian architecture ornamentation and adopted by the Mughals in India. This design has been created on the nook-shaft/ columns.

Calligraphy Calligraphy in inlay work as well as low relief has been inscribed on the monuments and during Mughal period it got grate attention. The inscriptions are written in Arabic and Persian language by using different script. It is created on the monuments by this way that the size of the word of the lowest band and the highest band look alike because the size is increasing upward. Geometrical Patterns The monuments especially of Mughal period have been decorated with geometrical designs (square, circle, star, etc.) on the drum of the dome, façade, spandrels as well as on the flooring of the main chamber. Finials  The domes of the building have been crowned with beautiful finials either in rubble masonry, marble or metal showing purana-kalasha, lotus, etc. one on the other. Purina-kalasha is a symbol of plenty and creativity.

Iwan (main gateway) Iwan in Islamic architecture, a vaulted space used as an entrance, or, if closed at one end, a hall facing a court in a madrasa or mosque. In India, it is on the eastern side of the mosque and is decorated beautifully with mosaic, glazed tiles, calligraphy, etc. and contains an arched entrance. Mihrab Prayer is performed facing this niche (mihrab) erected in the centre of qibla wall towards mecca direction. Mihrab is decorated beautifully with guranic verses, inlay work, geometrical designee etc.

Squinches This is an architecture device and is created by eliminating the upper corners of a room of the transitional phase of making dome on the terrace. The erection od squinches serves two purposes, firstly it coverts the uppers portion of a square room into an octagonal and secondly it gives a beautiful look at the corners gradually reducing downward from the spherical soffit. This is a typical Persian element. Spandrel  This is upper cornered triangular space on the both side of an arch of the Iwan which is decorative with geometric designs, inverted lotus, arabesque designee or with calligraphy.

Vault Vault is an architectural term for an arched or a series of arches used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof. The parts of a vault exert lateral thrust that requires a counter resistance.  Minar or Minaret  In Arabic Minaret is a place of fire and also a place from which the faithful are called to prayer five times each day by a muezzin, or crier. Such a tower is always connected with a mosque and has one or more balconies or open galleries.