Western admirers have long seen the Islamic garden as an earthly
reflection of the paradise said to await the faithful. However, such
simplification, Ruggles contends, denies the sophistication and
diversity of the art form. Islamic Gardens and Landscapes immerses the
reader in the world of the architects of the great gardens of the
Islamic world, from medieval Morocco to contemporary India.
Just as Islamic culture is historically dense, sophisticated, and
complex, so too is the history of its built landscapes. Islamic gardens
began from the practical need to organize the surrounding space of human
civilization, tame nature, enhance the earth's yield, and create a
legible map on which to distribute natural resources. Ruggles follows
the evolution of these early farming efforts to their aristocratic apex
in famous formal gardens of the Alhambra in Spain and the Taj Mahal in
Agra.
Whether in a humble city home or a royal courtyard, the garden has
several defining characteristics, which Ruggles discusses. Most notable
is an enclosed space divided into four equal parts surrounding a central
design element. The traditional Islamic garden is inwardly focused,
usually surrounded by buildings or in the form of a courtyard. Water
provides a counterpoint to the portioned green sections.
Ranging across poetry, court documents, agronomy manuals, and early
garden representations, and richly illustrated with pictures and site
plans, Islamic Gardens and Landscapes is a book of impressive scope
sure to interest scholars and enthusiasts alike.
