The Syncretic Traditions of Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir (Early 14th-18th Century)

About The Syncretic Traditions of Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir

The Syncretic Traditions of Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir (Early 14th-18th Century) by Hakim Sameer Hamdani is a scholarly study of how the mosques, shrines and khanqahs of the Valley took shape over four centuries. If you want to understand why the Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir looks so different from that of other parts of the subcontinent, this illustrated book sets out a clear and carefully argued answer. For details of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock.

The central idea of the book

The author argues that the Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir reflects a process in which Islamic principles and functions were expressed through a syncretic idiom, one rooted in the existing Kashmiri identity and building traditions. Rather than replacing local forms, the new faith found expression through them. Pre-existing Kashmiri building traditions, including those of the earlier Buddhist and Hindu periods, continued to inform the new religious buildings. The book shows how geography allowed Kashmir to keep a cohesive culture while absorbing outside influences.

What the book covers

• The period from the establishment of the Sultanate in the early 1300s to the mid-1700s
• Both grand monuments and everyday religious structures
• Mosques, shrines and khanqahs, as well as cave shrines linked with the Reshi order
• The role of Sufi teachers who arrived from Persia in shaping religious buildings
• The contribution of the Mughals to the architecture of the Valley
• The later transition of traditional styles towards a wider Islamic aesthetic after Indian independence

About the author

Hakim Sameer Hamdani is the author of this study, which was published in 2021 by Taylor and Francis, as an illustrated volume of about 240 pages. The book brings together historical study and architectural analysis, and it uses buildings as evidence of how a society understood and expressed its faith.

Why this book matters

Kashmir’s historic mosques and shrines are among the region’s most recognisable cultural treasures, yet they are often discussed only briefly or described in general terms. This book gives them the detailed attention they deserve. It explains the reasons behind their forms and shows how faith, local culture and craft worked together. For readers in Kashmir, it is also a way of seeing familiar buildings with new understanding, whether they are a city mosque or a village shrine.

The study is also valuable for the wider conversation about Islam in South Asia. It shows that Islamic culture developed in different ways in different regions, and that local traditions were not always set aside but often carried forward in a new religious setting.

Who should read this book

• Students and professionals of architecture, art history and heritage conservation
• Researchers in Islamic studies and South Asian studies
• Museum and heritage professionals
• Readers who love the history and culture of Kashmir
• Libraries, universities and institutions building a Kashmir studies collection

How to get the most from the book

Read the introduction first, since it lays out the argument that the rest of the chapters follow. Keep a notebook for the names of buildings and periods, and compare the descriptions with photographs or with a visit to the places themselves when you can. Read the chapters on the Sultanate and Mughal periods side by side to see what changed and what continued. Because the book is academic, take it in measured sittings and return to difficult sections after a break.

A valuable reference

For a researcher, a university shelf or a personal collection on Kashmir, this book works as a long-term reference. Its subject, the lasting relationship between faith, place and craft, remains of interest well beyond the period it covers.

Edition details

Author: Hakim Sameer Hamdani. Publisher: Taylor and Francis. Year: 2021. Illustrated edition of about 240 pages. Language: English. For the binding and other details of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar. Delivery takes about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote this book? It is written by Hakim Sameer Hamdani.

What period does it cover? It covers Kashmir from the early 14th century to the mid-18th century.

Is it only about mosques? No. It also covers shrines, khanqahs and cave shrines connected with the Reshi order.

Can I get details of the copy in stock? Yes, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492.

How quickly will it reach me? We dispatch the same day from Srinagar. Delivery is about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days in the rest of India.

Looking for more books like this? Browse our Literature & Fiction collection or explore all all books. Follow Lafz Bookstore on Instagram for new arrivals and book recommendations.