Recap 2015: Muslim Societies and Civilisations – Nimira Dewji’s Research

January 8, 2016, From the Ismailimail archive of Nimira Dewji’s research in 2015 on Muslim societies and civilisations.

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Early Muslim Societies

Early Muslim societies were characterized by a rich intellectual and literary tradition (8/10/2015)

First history of the world

The first history of the world was compiled by a Muslim of the thirteenth century (3/6/2015)

Spread of Islam in Africa

Islam spread to Africa initially through Ethiopia (3/13/2015)

Early Islamic scientists – skilled astronomers

Early Islamic scientists were skilled astronomers (3/19/2015)

Muslim engineer’s influence on Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is said to have been influenced by a twelfth century Muslim engineer (3/16/2015)

Scientific knowledge

Pluralism enabled the advancement of scientific knowledge (3/2/2015)

Geometric patterns

Geometric patterns became a distinctive feature of Islamic art (4/13/2015)

Sufism

Sufism aims the individual to a spiritual awakening through prayer and devotion (10/8/2015)

Mosques

One of the finest mosques in South East Asia was built by the Dutch (1/31/2015)

Gardens

Gardens are an integral feature of Islamic architectural design (3/14/2015)

Music

Music inspired artists to depict musicians and dancers on various objects (1/18/2015)

Travel/Hajj

	Pilgrims received certificates upon completion of the Hajj (9/18/2015)
	The pilgrimage to Mecca gave rise to a rich genre of travel writing (9/12/2015)

Decorative Wall Tiles

Decorative wall tiles are a distinctive feature of Islamic art (2/7/2015)

Carpets

Carpets are known by the names of the European artists in whose paintings they appear (4/21/2015)

Metal work

Metalwork revealed the creativity of the medieval Islamic artisans (7/28/2015)

Ceramics

Medieval Muslim artisans developed innovative techniques and designs in ceramics (1/29/2015)

Pottery

Chinese ceramics had a lasting influence on Islamic pottery (11/4/2015)

Medicine/Pharmacy

	The first pharmacies, or drug stores, opened in Baghdad in the eighth century (1/23/2015)
	De Materia Medica served as the primary text of pharmacology until the fifteenth century (10/30/2015)

Calligraphy

	Calligraphic scripts were influenced by local artistic traditions (12/26/2015)
	Islamic calligraphy reflected the diversity and pluralism of the various cultures (6/11/2015)

Fables

Fables taught universal values but were adapted to local cultures (8/31/2015)

Games

The Game of Knowledge taught about the slow upward path of the spiritual seeker (1/9/2015)

Baghdad

Baghdad was once an intellectual centre and a hub of world trade (1/21/2015)

Alhambra & Toledo

	Toledo was renowned for the Translation School established by the Archbishop (4/17/2015)
	The Alhambra in Spain is considered a hallmark of Islamic architecture (2/3/2015)

Istanbul

Istanbul was a notable centre of trade, scholarship, and the arts (7/25/2015)

Silk Road

Pluralism along the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of music styles and instruments (8/30/2015)

Persian Literature

Persian literature was dominated by a sophisticated tradition of poetry (9/28/2015)

Mughal Empire

	Mughal decorative art incorporated abundant floral imagery (6/20/2015)
	Emperor Akbar’s pluralistic policies led to the strong foundation of the Mughal Empire (5/20/2015)
	Bagh-e Babur is one of the earliest surviving Mughal gardens (3/27/2015)
	Miniature painting is a highly specialized art form taught at the National College of Arts (2/12/2015)