Glimpses of Timurid Architecture in Central Asia and India

The Institute of Islamic Art & Architecture, in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and Interior Design organized an exhibition of photographs of architectural monuments from central Asia and India.  The photographs were taken by Dr. Nasir Reza Khan, visiting professor in the Mu’taz and Rada Sawwaf Master in Islamic Art and Architecture at LAU.  The exhibition “Glimpses of Timurid Architecture in Central Asia and India” opened on Tuesday, 25th April 2017, at the Sheikh Zayed Gallery on LAU Beirut Campus.

The opening was attended by the Ambassador of India to Lebanon, Mr. Sanjiv Arora, the Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at LAU, Dr. Elie Haddad, and the director of the Institute of Islamic Art and Architecture, Dr. Abdallah Kahil.

Dr. Elie Haddad welcomed the guests and introduced the theme of the exhibition. The Ambassador of India to Lebanon elaborated on the rich Islamic heritage in India, and on the long history of exchange and collaboration between India and the Arab world. He congratulated the organizers for this valuable collection of  photographs showcasing Timurid and Mughal Architecture.

Dr. Khan, an associate professor at the Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi, gave an overview of the exhibition and discussed the importance and exceptionality of Mughal Architecture in India, which combines elements of Islamic architecture with the prevailing temple architecture in India. He also pointed out that the Mughal rulers of India, especially Akbar, propagated a pluralistic society through their architectural ambitions.

The exhibition was attended by a crowd of outside guests and students from various departments.