Art of the Court of Bijapur

"[A]n impressive and original work of synthetic scholarship that one hopes will be emulated by others." --Phillip B. Wagoner, Wesleyan University

"[A]n excellent and important work... [with] a wonderful sophistication of method." --Padma Kaimal, Colgate University

The patrons and artists of Bijapur, an Islamic kingdom that flourished in the Deccan region of India in the 16th and 17th centuries, produced lush paintings and elaborately carved architecture, evidence of a highly cosmopolitan Indo-Islamic culture. Bijapur's most celebrated monument, the Ibrahim Rauza tomb complex, is carved with elegant calligraphy and lotus flowers and was once dubbed "the Taj Mahal of the South." This stunningly illustrated study traces the development of Bijapuri art and courtly identity through detailed examination of selected paintings and architecture, many of which have never before been published. They deserve our attention for their aesthetic qualities as well as for the ways they expand our understanding of the rich synthesis of cultures and religions in South Asian and Islamic art.

"... beautifully illustrated... and is an essential addition to religion and art collections that seek truly global coverage of the arts of Islamdom." --John Renard, Saint Louis University, Religion and the Arts, 13.1 2009

"... [D]iscusses the architecture and painting of Bijapur, the capital of an Islamic kingdom in the Deccan region of India at its heyday between 1565 and 1635. Hutton describes the building of cities with fine stone palaces, tombs, and mosques; their carved decoration, paintings, and inscriptions; and how these reflected the courtly identity of the Khan.... Recommended." --Choice Indiana University Press

"I found the book a sheer joy to merely look at and immensely illuminating when I read it..." --The Muslim World Book Review Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

An exquisite study of Indo-Islamic art and courtly identity

Deborah Hutton is Assistant Professor of Art History at The College of New Jersey. She is co-editor of Asian Art: An Anthology.

Contents

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

2. Prosperous Beginnings

3. Developing Visual Metaphors

4. Meaning in Ornament

5. Conclusion

Appendix A: Adil Shahi Rulers of Bijapur

Appendix B: The Pem Nem's Illustrations

Notes

Bibliography

Index