Overview Guide: West and Central Asia

500 B.C.E.–1980 C.E.

A brief history of the cultures of Asia

By Dr. Sonia Coman

An introduction to the diverse cultures of Asia and their intersecting histories

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Hinduism and Buddhism, an introduction

By Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Origins of Hinduism Unlike Christianity or Buddhism, Hinduism did not develop from the teachings of a single founder. Moreover, it has diverse traditions, owing to its long history and continued development over the course of more than 3000 years. The term Hindu...

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The historical Buddha

By Dr. Jennifer N. McIntire

Despite a princely upbringing, Siddhartha insisted he was just a man—albeit one who attained perfection.

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Introduction to Buddhism

By Dr. Jennifer N. McIntire

The religion that originated in India took on so many different forms that it is often difficult to see how the various sects of Buddhism are related.

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Sacred arts of Tibet

By Asian Art Museum

How are statues consecrated? What role do mandalas play in meditation? Discover ritual objects of Tibetan Buddhism.

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Introduction to Islam

By Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay

One of the world’s main monotheistic faiths, Islam was founded by Muhammad, a merchant from Mecca.

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The complex geometry of Islamic design

By TED-Ed

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Introduction to mosque architecture

By Kendra Weisbin

From Indonesia to the United Kingdom, the mosque in its many forms is the quintessential Islamic building. The mosque, masjid in Arabic, is the Muslim gathering place for prayer. Masjid simply means “place of prostration.” Though most of the five daily prayers...

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Common types of mosque architecture

By Kendra Weisbin

There are three basic forms of mosque: hypostyle, four-iwan, and centrally planned. Read on for their definitions.

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Arts of the Islamic world: The early period

By Glenna Barlow

Two powerful dynasties, the Umayyad and the Abbasid, ruled the Islamic World between the 7th and 13th centuries.

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The Umayyads, an introduction

By Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay

The Dome of the Rock. The Great Mosque in Damascus. The Great Mosque in Córdoba. These remarkable achievements are all Umayyad.

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The vibrant visual cultures of the Islamic West, an introduction

By Dr. Sabahat Adil

This essay provides an overview of the art and architecture of the Islamic West (the Iberian Peninsula when it was under Islamic rule, and what is today Morocco in northwest Africa).

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Arts of the Islamic world: The medieval period

By Glenna Barlow

New rulers emerged, and with them, distinctive styles of art. This period saw a renaissance in the decorative arts.

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Arts of the Islamic world: The later period

By Glenna Barlow

The Islamic world extended from Spain to Indonesia, where Ottomans, Timurids, Safavids, and Mughals ruled.

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The Safavids, an introduction

By Alexandria Brown-Hejazi

Brilliantly painted manuscripts. Exquisitely detailed miniatures. Fine silks. Complex, ornate palaces. The art of the Safavids is simply magnificent.

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Introduction to the court carpets of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires

By Kendra Weisbin

Court carpets were versatile and various, decorated with flowers, hunting scenes, or even calligraphy.

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