“The Masterpiece Splendor of Sultan Ahmad: Blue Mosque “ -

Introduction:

Mehmed Agha was born around 1540 in Elbasan, Albania, and brought to Istanbul in 1563 as a portion of the “Devshirme” framework to connect the janissary corps or royal residence schools. At first, preparing as a cadet, he afterward turned his center to music and after that to the art of enhancing in Mother-of-pearl, gaining him the surname Sedefkâr. Inevitably, he transitioned to design under the mentorship of the eminent planner Mimar Sinan.

One of his most outstanding accomplishments was completing the Muradiye Mosque in Manisa, a venture started by Sinan. Despite not being instantly named as Sinan’s successor upon the latter’s passing, Mehmed Agha kept on awe the Footrest court with his abilities. He held different prestigious positions, including Chief Bailiff and Lieutenant-Governor of Diyarbakır.

In expansion to his engineering commitments, Mehmed Agha also attempted conciliatory ventures to Arabia, Egypt, and Macedonia. He was named the Ace of the Conduits by Sultan Mehmed III and commissioned to construct a few noteworthy structures, including an amazing position of royalty decorated with nacre and tortoiseshell for Sultan Ahmed I.

Taking after the execution of Davut Ağa, Mehmed Agha got to be the chief illustrious planner in 1606. His most noticeable extent during this time was the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, which he worked on from 1609 to 1616. The mosque, propelled by the Hagia Sophia and Sinan’s work, stands as a confirmation of Mehmed Agha’s building ability.

Although details of his passing stay hazy, Mehmed Agha’s bequest perseveres through his structural perfect works of art, which have cleared out a permanent stamp on Istanbul. The square where the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is found is presently known as Sultanahmet, serving as an enduring tribute to his commitments. As the ultimate follower of Mimar Sinan, Mehmed Agha effectively coordinates his claim dynamic architectural style with that of his regarded coach, enhancing the engineering scene of the Footrest Realm.

Lesson No: 7

THE SULTAN AHMAD MASJID

Q1. Summary of Lesson

The Sultan Ahmad Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, earned its name from the beautiful blue tiles that adorn its insides. Sedefhar Mehmet Aga was the architect appointed to oversee its construction. At the entrance, a heavy iron chain was hung, signifying the Sultan’s humility before divine power, as he had to bow his head upon entering the court. The mosque’s interior is adorned with stunning blue tiles, giving it a captivating appearance. Additionally, the mosque incorporated a Madrassah for teaching Islamic principles and a hospice to accommodate travelers needing rest.

Another significant mosque, Hagia Sophia, was constructed by an Ottoman Caliph. It’s a historic and renowned architectural marvel in its own right, with a complex history and cultural significance that extends beyond its religious aspects. Both the Sultan Ahmad Mosque and Hagia Sophia stand as symbols of cultural richness and historical importance within the realm of Islamic architecture and heritage.

Q2. Question and Answers

Q: Why Sultan Ahmad Masjid is also known as Blue Masjid?

A: The Sultan Ahmad Masjid is known as the Blue Masjid because of the tiles that embellish its interior.

Q: Who was appointed as the architect of the Masjid?

A: Sedefhar Mehmat Agha, was appointed the royal architect of the masjid.

Q: Why was a heavy iron chain hung at the entrance of the court?

A: A heavy iron chain was hung at the entrance of the court, so that the Sultan had to lower his head every time he entered the court and also as a symbolic gesture, to ensure the humility of the ruler in the face of the divine power.

Q: How does the interior of the masjid look?

A: The interior of the masjid is embellished with blue tiles, which gives its interior an attractive look.

Q: Why do you think Madrassah and hospice were part of the masjid?

A: The Madrassah was built for the people to get Islamic teachings. The hospice was there for the Rest of the travelers.

Q: Who constructed the masjid Sophia?

A: Masjid Hagia Sophia was constructed by an Ottoman Caliph.

Q3. The Expansions for The Abbreviations

USA: United States of America
UK: United Kingdom
UAE: United Arab Emirates
ICU: Intensive Care Unit
MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy
M.Phil: Master of Philosophy
PAF: Pakistan Air Force
NADRA: National Database and Registration Authority
UN: United Nations
ISSB: Inter Services Selection Board
WAPDA: Water and Power Development Authority
PCTB: Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board
MNA: Member of the National Assembly
MPA: Member of the Provincial Assembly
IMF: International Monetary Fund
WHO: World Health Organization
WTO: World Trade Organization
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund

Q4. Synonyms

Synonyms are words that have similar meanings to each other. They are different words that can be used interchangeably in certain contexts to convey the same or similar ideas, concepts, or feelings. For instance, “big” and “large” are synonyms as they both refer to something of significant size. Similarly, “happy” and “joyful” are synonyms because they both express a positive emotion. Synonyms allow for variety in language, helping to avoid repetition and adding depth and nuance to communication.

Q5. An Adverb

An adverb is like a word superhero! It’s a word that changes or adds more information about verbs, adjectives, or even other adverbs.

Adverbs often tell us how, when, where, or how much something is done.

The position of an adverb in a sentence can vary depending on the type of adverb and its function. Adverbs often describe how, when, where, or to what extent an action happens. Here are a few common positions for adverbs:

Beginning of a sentence: Adverbs can start a sentence to emphasize or introduce information. For example: “Quickly, she ran to catch the bus.”
After the verb: Adverbs often come after the main verb in a sentence. For instance: “She sang beautifully.”
Before the verb: Some adverbs, especially those of frequency or certainty, can come before the verb: “He always eats breakfast.”
End of a sentence: Adverbs can also appear at the end. For example: “She laughed loudly.”

The placement of an adverb can affect the emphasis or meaning of a sentence. It’s important to choose the position that best suits the intended emphasis or clarity of the message.

Q6. Examples of Degrees of Adverbs

Positive degree: This is the basic form of the adverb, without any comparison.
- Adverb: fast
  - Example: She runs fast.
Comparative degree: It compares two actions or states.
- Adverb: faster
  - Example: She runs faster than him.
Superlative degree: It shows the highest degree or compares more than two actions or states.
- Adverb: fastest
  - Example: She runs the fastest among them.

Let’s see another example using a different adverb:

Positive degree: Adverb: quickly
- Example: He types quickly.
Comparative degree: Adverb: more quickly
- Example: He types more quickly than her.
Superlative degree: Adverb: most quickly
- Example: He types the most quickly of all.

A simple chart illustrating the degrees of adverbs

Degree	Adverb	Example Sentence
Positive	fast	She runs fast.
Comparative	faster	She runs faster than him.
Superlative	fastest	She runs the fastest.
Positive	quickly	He types quickly.
Comparative	more quickly	He types more quickly than her.
Superlative	most quickly	He types the most quickly of all.

This chart shows how adverbs like “fast” and “quickly” change in form to express positive, comparative, and superlative degrees.

References:

The Albanians: an ethnic history from prehistoric times to the present. 1995-04-01.
Mehmed Aga in Encyclopædia Britannica online.

Goodwin G., “A History of Ottoman Architecture”; Thames & Hudson Ltd., London, reprinted 2003
Encyclopedia of architectural and engineering feats, Donald Langmead, Christine Garnaut, page 322, 2001
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Bailey, Julia; Bozdoğan, Sibel; Necipoğlu, Gülru (2007). History and Ideology: Architectural Heritage of the “Lands of Rum”. Brill. p. 270. ISBN 978-90-04-16320-1.
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Kuban 2010, pp. 362–363.
Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Goodwin 1971, p. 343.
Kuban 2010, p. 362.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o Sumner-Boyd, Hilary; Freely, John (2010). Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City (Revised ed.). Tauris Parke Paperbacks. pp. 107–111.
Kezer, Zeynep (2004). “If walls could talk: exploring the dimensions of heterotopia at the Four Seasons Istanbul Hotel”. In Arnold, Dana; Ballantyne, Andrew (eds.). Architecture as Experience: Radical Change in Spatial Practice. Routledge. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-134-41752-0.
Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o Çobanoğlu, Ahmet Vefa (2009). “Sultan Ahmed Camii ve Külliyesi”. TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-08-11.
“Istanbul’s historical Blue Mosque’s minaret ‘shifted'”. Hürriyet Daily News. 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
“Blue Mosque opens doors for worshippers after 5-year restoration”. Middle East Monitor. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
“Blue Mosque in Istanbul reopens for prayer after 6-year restoration”. Daily Sabah. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
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External links:

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

Website of the Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Photographs by Dick Osseman, PBase
360 panorama of the mosque’s northern gallery and Iznik tiles (hosted on Google Maps)

“The Masterpiece Splendor of Sultan Ahmad: Blue Mosque “