The Formation and Influence of the Military Architecture in Oman During Al-Ya'ariba Period (1034-1162 Ah/1624–1749 Ad)

Abstract

Despite its richness, the research corpus published about Islamic architecture presents some discontinuities in the knowledge of the architecture in the lands ruled by Muslims. Similarly, the dynamics of influence that might have operated between the "monumental" architecture in these lands and their popular architectures are insufficiently addressed. Moreover, the material culture related to the Islamic civilization is almost exclusively studied as a product that has stopped evolving. The architecture produced during Al-Ya'ariba (Al- Ya'rubi) Imamate (1624-1749) is an instance of these understudied topics in the history of Islamic architecture. This research argues that Al-Ya'rubi Imamate is not only an important chapter in the history of Oman, the Arabian Peninsula, Indian Ocean, and Eastern Africa, but also the architecture of this period has created the identity of Omani architecture as we know it today. Nonetheless, there is no architectural production in this era both in the major references and scientific publications of Islamic architecture in the 17th and 18th centuries. Through field research, comparative analysis, and literature review of the history of Omani architecture, especially in the 17th -18th centuries, this research examines the military architecture in Oman during Al-Ya'ariba Imamate including its reference, and its influence on other architectures. It is a contribution to the scientific endeavour to address this specific architectural typology from the perspective of its mechanism of (trans) formation and its continuity of forms until the contemporary architecture of Oman.

The built heritage as a resource for architectural education: documentation of the vernacular settlements and architecture in Oman

“…This small settlement played a crucial role in the last conflicts that destabilized the State of Al-Ya'ariba, before it ends in the Mid-18th century. Indeed, it is its strategic location, extremely defensive layout and components that gave the Hujra its political and military importance (Benkari, 2021c). The defensive role of the settlement had affected the layout, components and its very name.…”

“…And it is in its great mosque (Jami') that Imam Nasser Bin Morshid received the Bay'a (nomination as leader) from the most important and influential tribes and their Ibadhi scholars. Some very important episodes of the political, social and intellectual history of Oman, took place within the spaces of Harat Qasra and behind the walls of its houses (Benkari, 2021c). The settlement is located at the North-Eastern foot of the Western Hajar, at around 160 km to the North-West of Muscat (Figure 1).…”

Islamic Concept in the Architecture of the Saoraja Lapinceng Traditional House

“…Communication-wise, architecture is a generic phrase that refers to a discussion of the results of building plans and designers (Kranggan et al, 2022), also known as architects. As a scientific discipline, architecture must always be based on Islamic principles (Benkari, 2021). Certainly, Islamic ideals derived from the Qur'an are the foundation for the growth of numerous scientific domains, including the science of architecture (Hamouche, 2012).…”