the influence of islamic architecture on the colonial buildings in malaysia

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The Influence Of Islamic Architecture On Colonial Buildings In Malaysia

The origin of the Islamic architectural influence significantly present on many colonial buildings in the major cities in Malaysia namely Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh often becomes a subject of dispute

Some refer to it as Moorish architecture while others label it as Mughal/Mogul architecture

What is actually the correct answer?

The Influence Of Islamic Architecture On Colonial Buildings In Malaysia

The correct answer is Mughal architecture or sometimes it is also spelled as Mogul architecture

Mughal architecture of India is the chief influence in the Islamic architectural style on many colonial buildings in Malaysia

However Mughal architecture is referred to the architectural style during Mughal Empire that ruled India since 1526 until 1757 when India fell under the British rule

The Islamic architectural style adopted for the colonial buildings in then Malaya from the late 19th century was the Mughal-revival architectural style movement termed as Indo-Saracenic or it is also called Indo-Gothic or Neo-Mughal orBritish Raj

This architectural style movement was made popular by the British architects in British India

Mughal architecture

Mughal architecture

Mughal architecture is the amalgamation of Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture.

It is a distinctive style developed during the Mughal empire between the 16th and 18th centuries.

The Mughals were famous for their wealth and splendour – a fact that is reflected in the opulence of their architecture

Most famous Mughal building is the Taj Mahal

The most significant buildings are forts, palaces, mosques and tombs

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Pictures lifted from wikipedia.org

Moorish architecture

Moorish architecture

Islamic architecture was developed in North Africa and south-western Europe, particularly from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). It was the style of architecture there during the 8th to the 15th century.

The most distinct Moorish building is the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain.

Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain Alhambra, Granada, Andalusia, Spain


Indo-Saracenic architecture


Introduced by the British colonial government and developed by the British architects since 1870 after the British Crown took over the rule from the British East India Company

The architectural style is the mixture of the original Mughal architectural elements like arches, chhatri and onion-shaped domes with traditional British architecture of Gothic revival, Victorian and Neo-Classical style.

It is often called “stylistic hybrid” architecture

Brief History of Mughal Empire & Mughal emperors (1526-1707)

Babur (Reigned 1526-1530)

Founder of Mughal Empire after defeating Ibrahim Lodi

Made a modest beginning of Mughal architecture by building a mosque

Humayun ( Reigned 1530-1556)

Babur’s son

Was once defeated by Ser Shah and lived in exile in Persia for 15 years

Developed deep understanding and love for Persian culture and instilled it in his son Akbar (next Mughal emperor) while in exile

Reconquered Mughal empire and continued the reign until his death

Akbar ( Reigned 1556-1605)

Humayun’s son

Mughal architecture was developed on a massive scale

The beginning of the glory of Mughal architecture as well as other branches of art – painting, literature, philosophy etc


Jahangir (Reigned 1605-1628)

Akbar’s son

The richest period of Mughal empire - dubbed the age of Mughal splendour

He lavishly patronized the arts: painting, architecture, philosophy, and literature, while ignoring military conquest.

Actively promoted Persian culture because of his Persian Empress, Nur Jahan

Shah Jahan (Reigned 1628-1658)

Jahangir's son

During his reign architecture was characterized by its monumental scale

The most important architectural change was the use of marble instead of sandstone

Shah Jahan’s magnificent architectural achievements are represented by two important buildings; the Taj Mahal (1630-1653), and the Jama Masjid in Delhi (1648)

Ousted by his own son, Aurangzeb


Aurangzeb (Reigned 1658-1707)

Declared his father, Emperor Shah Jahan, incompetent to rule and confined him at Agra Fort but did not mistreat him. Shah Jahan died in 1666

Under Aurangzeb the empire was expanded and he ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent

A pious muslim but his religious conservatism and intolerance undermined the stability of Mughal society

He was a strong and effective ruler, but with his death the great period of the Mughal Empire came to an end, and central control of the sub-continent declined rapidly

Brief History of Mughal Empire (1526-1707)

Babur• (1526-30)

• Founder of Mughal Empire

• Made the modest beginning of Mughalarchitecture

Humayan• (1530-1556)

Akbar• (1556-1605)

• Started building on massive scale

• Beginning of the great period of Mughalarchitecture

Jahangir• (1605-28)

• Richest period of Mughal empire

Shah Jahan• (1628-1658)

• Built Taj Mahal & JamaMosque in Delhi

Aurangzeb• (1658-1707)

• Ousted his father and confined him in Agra Fort

• Ruled over most of Indian Subcontinent

The walled city of Fatehpur Sikri – Built by Akbar

Mughal Structure during Akbar’s reign

The Jama Mosque in Fatehpur Sikri – Built by Akbar Humayun’s Tomb – Built by Akbar


Mughal structure during Jahangir’s reign

Itimad-ud-DaulaCompleted in 1628 – Built by Jahangir


Mughal structures during Shah Jahan’s reign

Wazir Khan Mosque

Taj Mahal, Agra, India


Red Fort (Delhi Fort), Delhi

Mughal structures during Shah Jahan’s reign

Jama’ Mosque, Delhi


Mughal structures during Aurangzeb’s reign

Badhashi Mosque, Lahore


The end of Mughal Empire great period

The demise of Aurangzeb ended the great period of Mughal Empire

Aurangzeb was replaced by his son Bahadur Shah

After the demise of Bahadur Shah, Mughal Empire sank into chaos and violent feuds

Mughal Empire was decentralized and disintegrated when many territories declared independence

The British, at first established themselves in India as traders at the beginning of the 17th century, have developed into a power through the British East India Company controlling 3 principal ports of India – Bombay, Calcutta and Madras by the end of the 17th century.

The British Raj

BEFORE 1857

The British started its rule or dominion in India through East India Company based in Calcutta since 1757.

Architectural style: the European classical style (incorporating Greek and Roman Features such as columns, triangular pediments) or Gothic and British Victorian

Applied to the public and other buildings during earlier period of colonial rule to reflect their self image as the holders of power and status and to distance themselves from the natives.

AFTER REVOLT OF 1857

After the Indian Rebellion of 1857 , the British Government officially took over the rule from East India Company in 1858. It marked the beginning of the British Raj in India.

In trying to avoid another rebellion and to please the natives, the British decided to incorporate the India’s glorious past image of Mughal architectural style into their new buildings by combining it with the elements of British Victorian, Neo-classical and Gothic revival architecture.

This resulted in the birth of Indo-Saracenic architectural style


An architectural style movement by British architects in the late 19th century British India which drew elements from native Indo-Islamic (Mughal) and Indian architecture and combined it with the Gothic revival and Neo-Classical styles favoured in Victorian Britain

Indo-Saracenic architectural style began in the 1870s and lasted, despite competing revivalist ideologies, until Independence in 1947

The style was adopted mostly for Major government owned institutional buildings such as administrative and Collector’s offices, law courts, municipal headquarters, railway stations and universities.


The British attempted to strike a balance between keeping the elements of British architecture and the past image of Mughal/Indian elements.

“In the public buildings put up by the Raj it was essential always to make visible Britain’s imperial position as ruler, for these structures were charged with the explicit purpose of representing empire itself. Since they wanted to legitimatize their rule, they decided to justify their presence by relating themselves to the previous rulers, the Mughals. The British deliberately kept Mughal princes in power so as to not provoke Indian contempt and to further establish their connection to the Mughals. These princes were a vision of the future, but the British also needed them to be a representation of the past. And it worked.”

“the British sought to incorporate their view of India’s past into their own building, and so represent Britain’s Raj as legitimately Indian, while at the same time constructing a modern India of railways, colleges, and law courts”

– Sir Thomas Metcalf (an expert in Indo-Saracenic architecture)


Not all buildings constructed by the British during British Raj were designed with Indo-Saracenic architecture though

Most of the Indo-Saracenic buildings are located in Madras (Chennai) According to Dr. Gavin Stamp, T. Roger Smith (architect of European

General Hospital in Bombay) his answer to the question: “What sort of architecture ought we to employ in India?” was firm: “We ought, like the Romans and the Mohammedans, to take our national style with us. Our buildings ought to hold up a high standard of European art. They ought to be European, both as a rallying point for ourselves, and as raising a distinctive symbol of our presence to be beheld with respect and even admiration by the natives of the country".

And according to Dr. Gavin Stamp, in the ensuing argument William Emerson, another architect who had designed buildings in India (in Indo-Saracenic style), begged to differ. He did not think the conquerors should carry a new style of architecture into the conquered nations; rather, he thought we should follow the Mohammedans who adapted their style to Indian conditions.


The leading Architects of Indo-Saracenic Buildings in India were

Robert Fellowes Chisholm - Pioneer of Indo-Saracenic architecture and consulting architect to the government

JW Brassington – successor to Robert Chisholm as consulting architect to the government

Henry Irwin – successor to JW Brassington as consulting architect to the government

Major Charles Mant

William Emerson

George Wittet

Frederick W. Stevens

Features of Indo-Saracenic architecture

FEATURES OF INDO-SARACENIC

ARCHITECTURE

Bulbous (Onion-Shaped) Dome

Arches

• horseshoe, pointed, ogee, scalloped, keyhole

Delicate Ornamentation

• Nonfigurative

• Quranic script

Chhatri

• Pavillion with dome

Jharokha

• Overhanging balcony

Chajja

• overhanging eaveson large carved brackets.

Jali

• Perforated stone or latticed screen

Towers or minarets

Pinnacles or spires

Indo-Saracenic buildings

The Chepauk Palace

Built in the year 1768 in Chennai and designed by Paul Benfield

Said to be the first Indo-Saracenic building in modern India. Indo-Saracenic architecture represents a synthesis of Islamic designs and Indian materials developed by British architects in India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

It is referred to as licentious ‘eclectic” incorporating synthesis of Islamic designs and Indian elements and motifs. The architectural elements include the cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass.

Madras High Court | Completed in 1892 Designed by JW Brassington and Henry Irwin


Picture source: thehindu.com



Victoria Memorial HallCompleted in 1921

Designed by William EmersonMayo College

Completed in 1885Designed by Major Charles Mant



Senate House of University of MadrasCompleted in 1879

Designed by Robert Chisholm General Post Office in Chennai (Madras)Completed in 1879

Designed by Robert Chisholm

Indo-Saracenic architecture in Malaya

For some strange reasons Indo-Saracenic architecture was exported to then Malaya or at that time was referred to as FMS (Federated Malay States)

The likeliest reason was because the natives of Malaya were muslims or dubbed Mohammedans by the British

According to JM Gullick in his journal titled Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad it was William Maxwell (then Resident of Selangor since 1889) who was first instrumental in introducing Indo-Saracenic architecture to the Federated Malay States (FMS). He brought in CE Spooner from Ceylon to overhaul PWD as state engineer. Spooner remained in Malaya until his death in 1909.

Spooner “didn’t like the design” provided by AC Norman and RAJ Bidwell in Classic Renaissance for the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad. He then decided on what he termed Mahometan (sic) style. The detailed drawing was then done by RAJ Bidwell and assisted by AB Hubback who also made many alterations and additions.

JM Gullick also strongly suspected that CE Spooner designed the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad based on the drawing of The Muir College, Allahabad, India designed by William Emerson published in Building News (British technical journal)

Indo-Saracenic building

Muir CollegeCompleted in 1886

Designed by William Emerson

Pictures lifted from thehindu.com

Indo-Saracenic architecture in Malaya

According to JM Gullick no explanation was given by Spooner why he chose “Mahometan style” but JM Gullick believed “there can be no doubt that he (Spooner) was adopting as his model a style which British architects had evolved for public buildings in India”.

Spooner served in Ceylon (1897-92) and he must have been familiar with Indo-Saracenic style which was widespread especially in Madras at that time.

This was also encouraged by W.E.Maxwell as he thought Kuala Lumpur much needed a prestige as a new capital of FMS.

Spooner in his opening speech at the opening ceremony of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad announced he drew in an able architect, AB Hubback.

Later the potent combination of these two capable public servants that produced a large number of elegant public buildings with Indo-Saracenic style in Malaya

CE Spooner & AB Hubback

Two gentlemen instrumental in introducing and adopting Mughal/Indo-Saracenic architectural style for many public buildings in then Malaya

Sultan Abdul Samad Building


First building designed with Mughal / Indo-Saracenic style in Malaya

Built in 1897

Architect: RAJ Bidwell and AB Hubback

Earlier design in Neo-Classical by AC Norman was rejected by CE Spooner as State Engineer

CE Spooner who served in Sri Lanka before coming to Selangor preferred Indo-Saracenicarchitecture for Malay-Islam majority Malaya

The clock mechanism was imported from South Croydon, Surrey in England and manufactured by Gillett & Johnston (Croydon) Ltd.

The clock tower was built to replicate the famous Big Ben of London.

Its clock chimed for the first time in 1897 to coincide with Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee parade.

Known simply as the Government Office

In 1974 it was renamed Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad


Contractor: Towkay Ang SengMooi

A megaproject back then which cost $152,000 Straits Dollars

Once the icon of Malaysian Court of Law due to some high-profile cases tried here. The building became the centre of attention worldwide

Featured as the site of Malaysian court in the 1992 Hong Kong box-office film, Police Story 3: Super Cop featuring Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh

City Theatre

City Theatre

Built in 1902 and completed in 1904

Architect: AB Hubback

Architecture: Mughal-eclectic/Indo-Saracenic

In 1904, this building originally housed the Kuala Lumpur Town Hall including the Auditorium, Municipal Offices and Sanitary Board which acted like a town council, each with its own entrance.

Two imposing porte-cochère, each with big black dome at the top

A major fire in 1992 destroyed the entire interior of the theatre but City Hall’s designers and builders restored it soon after

The National Textile Museum

The National Textile Museum

Completed in 1905 First built to accommodate the Federated

Malay States Railways Central Offices Located at the Market Street - Damansara

Road junction Main features: Alternate red brick facing

and white plaster band on exterior walls, with cupolas and chatris

Designed by Arthur Benison Hubback (AB Hubback) in 1902


Built by contractor Towkay Ang Seng Mooiat a cost of $116,122 Straits Dollars

1917 - 1919: It was occupied by FMS Public Works Department

1959 - 1971: First Headquarters of Malaysian Central Bank (Bank Negara)

It currently houses the National Textile Museum

The former General Post Office Building

The former General Post Office Building

Built to accommodate the General Post Office

Located at the Market Street - Jalan Raja junction

Architecture: Mughal-eclectic/Indo-Saracenic The only Mughal-style building without any

domes Featuring rooftop leaf design flat decorative

pediments, chatri pinnacles, polygonal corner stair towers

Architect: Arthur Benison Hubback (AB Hubback) in 1902

Contract was awarded to Towkay Choo TeckLim who unfortunately was unable to deliver the building.

Construction was continued by Singaporean Contractor Messrs. Walter Pallister in August 1904

Building completed in 1907 at the cost of $100,000.00 Straits Dollars

Masjid Jamek

Masjid Jamek

Completed in 1909

Architecture: Mughal/Indo-Saracenic

Architect: Arthur Benison Hubback

Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah laid its foundation stone on 23 March 1908 and officially opened it on 23 Dec 1909

Features: 3 onion-shaped large domes, 2 identical minarets and cinquefoil arches

The site was originally muslimcemetery which was relocated to Gombak cemetery

The mosque was unofficially the Malaysian main mosque before the status was taken over by the National Mosque in 1965

The former Session & Magistrate Court Building

The former Session & Magistrate Court Building

Built in 1910



Originally housed FMS Survey Department

Main feature: 400ft (121.9m) long arcade with two entrances

At both ends of this building are octagonal towers topped with onion-shaped domes

Along the 400ft long arcade are the distinctive cinquefoil arches that creates a powerful geometric rhythm along the street

Used to house Sessions and Magistrate Court

It is now left vacant

The Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

The Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Completed in 1910

Station was opened on 1 July 1911

Hotel operation began on 11 Aug 1911

450ft x 150ft wide with three railway platforms

A two-storey station building with mezzanine and 16 hotel bedrooms on the second floor

Architecture: Mughal-eclectic/Indo-saracenic


Cost: $742,980 Straits Dollars (Construction involved straightening some portions of the Klang River, building of temporary station and dismantling the staff quarters and re-erecting them in Brickfields)

Voted as one of the 28 most beautiful railway stations in the world by Architectural Digest

It now still serves as Kuala Lumpur station for KTM Komuter Train

The Old Supreme Court Building

The Old Supreme Court Building

Built in 1915

Replaced the old Supreme Court on Court Hill


Architecture style: Mughal-eclectic/Indo-Saracenic

Contractor: Towkay Ang Seng Mooi

Cost $208,500 Straits Dollars

Features: Decorative cupolas with buttresses

Ubudiah Mosque

Ubudiah Mosque

Foundation stone was laid by Sultan IdrisMurshidul'adzam Shah on 26 Sept 1913

The construction was commissioned on the orders of the Sultan, who vowed that he would build a mosque of great beauty as thanksgiving for recovery from an illness which plagued him in those early days

Completed in late 1917

Cost: $200,000.00 – astronomical figures for a mosque those days

Standing on the octagonal base of 96ft in diameter

Built entirely in concrete and finishing with Italian marble



Its imposing large golden domes and minarets create spellbinding sight from near and far

Considered one of the finest mosques in the East even in this modern days

Officially opened by Sultan Abdul Jalil KaramtullahShah

KTM Headquarters

KTM Headquarters

Completed in 1917

Originally housed The FMS Railway Administration Centre

Now occupied by KTM Berhad as its headquarters



Constructed by Towkay Chua Hua Tong

Cost: $587,000 Straits Dollars

It has 3 storeys and was the tallest building in the FMS

Main feature: the centre octagonal cantilever staircase – the only example at that time was found on the east of Suez

Ipoh Railway Station & Hotel

Ipoh Railway Station & Hotel

Built in 1914, completed in 1917 (some said completion was delayed until 1920)

Architecture: Mughal eclectic/Indo-Saracenic

Architect: Arthur Benison Hubback The design concept: a solid Neoclassical

building embodying strict symmetry, balance and harmony while the façade and roof design was based on Mughalarchitectural style

Dubbed as the Taj Mahal of Ipoh The filming site for the Hollywood 1999

film “Anna and the King” featuring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fat

The automobile guide of 1925 stated that: “The railway hotel at Ipoh supplies the best accommodation to be found in Perak, nice airy rooms, up-to-date sanitary arrangements, the best of food”.

Federated Malay States Railway Station in Penang

Federated Malay States Railway Station in Penang

Built in 1907

Architecture: Mughal eclectic/Indo-Saracenic


Boasts of uniquely distinct arcades (a structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns).

Before Komtar (the state’s administrative and shopping tower) Wisma Kastam’s clock tower (which by the way is still ticking with precision) was the tallest building on the island.

Back when it was called the Federated Malay States Railway Station, the station is believed to be the only one in the world without a rail. Instead of platforms or trains, it had administrative offices, a ticketing booth and a first-class Railways Restaurant with Bar and Grill.

Passengers bought their tickets at the Penang Railway Station, walked to the Railway Jetty at the end of the China Street Ghaut and boarded the Railway Ferry Streamers to Butterworth to catch the train. Fares to and from Penang were inclusive of the ferry ride.

It now houses Royal Custom Department of Malaysia, Penang branch

Thank you

References

Carey, M. (2012). An illustrated history of islamic architecture. Leicestershire: Southwater.

Gullick, J.M. (1992). The Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad. Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 65, 27-38.

Jeyaraj, G. Indo Saracenic Architecture in Channai. Retrieved from http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/pdfs/seminar_heritage_buildings/Indo_Saracenic_Architecture_in_Chennai.pdf

Maryam Khazaee, Naziaty Yaacob, Zakaria Alcheikh Mahmoud Awad, & Zuraini Md Ali. (2015). Mughal or Moorish architecture: the origins of Malaysian mosques during colonial periods. Pertanika J. Soc. Sci. & Hum., 23 (3): 639 - 654

Metcalf, T. (2002). An Imperial Vision: Indian Architecture and Britain's Raj. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Morris, J., & Winchester, S. (1986). Stones of empire: The buildings of the Raj. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Nath, R. (2004). Indigenous characteristics of mughal architecture. New Delhi: Indian History and Culture Society.

Stamp, G. (1981). British architecture in India 1857 - 1947. Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, 357-377.

wikipedia.org

http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/pdfs/seminar_heritage_buildings/Indo_Saracenic_Architecture_in_Chennai.pdf

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