page_title: Indonesian mosques
section_title: Early Islamic architecture
hierarchical_section_title: Indonesian mosques / History / Early Islamic architecture
caption_attribution_description: Bahasa Indonesia: Masjid Mataram Kotagede, masjid tertua di Yogyakarta.
context_page_description: Indonesian mosques refer to the architectural traditions of mosques build in the archipelago of Indonesia. Initial forms of the mosque, for example, were predominantly built in the vernacular Indonesian architectural style which employs Hindu, Buddhist or Chinese architectural elements, and notably didn't equip orthodox form of Islamic architectural elements such as dome and minaret. Vernacular architectural style varies depending on the island and region.
  Since the 19th century the mosques began incorporating more orthodox styles which were imported during the Dutch colonial era. Architectural style during this era is characterized by Indo-Islamic or Moorish Revival architectural elements, with onion-shaped dome and arched vault. Minaret was not introduced to full extent until the 19th century, and its introduction was accompanied by the importation of architectural styles of Persian and Ottoman origin with the prominent usage of calligraphy and geometric patterns. During this time, many of the older mosques built in traditional style were renovated, and small domes were added to their square hipped roofs.
context_section_description: Early Islamic architecture resembles a Majapahit era candi or gates. Most of the early Islamic mosques can still be found in Java, and the architectural style follows the existing building tradition in Java, in which four central posts support a soaring pyramidal roofs. None of the earliest Islamic structures in Sumatra survived. The characteristic of Islamic architecture include multi-tiered roofs, ceremonial gateways, and a variety of decorative elements such as elaborate clay finials for roof peaks. The multi-tiered roofs are derived from the tiered meru roof found in Balinese temple.
  The oldest surviving Indonesian mosques are quite large and in most cases were closely associated with palaces. The oldest surviving mosque in Indonesia is the Great Mosque of Demak which is the royal mosque of the Sultanate of Demak, although this is not the oldest Islamic structure. The oldest Islamic structure in Indonesia are parts of the royal palace in Sultanate of Cirebon, Cirebon. The palace complex contains a chronogram which can be read as the Saka equivalent of 1454 CE. Early Islamic palaces retain many features of pre-Islamic architecture which is apparent in the gates or drum towers. The Kasepuhan Palace was probably begun in the late pre-Islamic period, and continued to grow during the Hinduism-to-Islam transitional period. The complex contains clues to the stages of the process of the gradual changes as Islam become incorporated into Indonesian architecture. Two of the Hindu features adopted into Islam in the Palace is the two types of gateways - the split portal (candi bentar) which provides access to the public audience pavilion and the lintel gate (paduraksa) which leads to the front court.
  Minarets was not originally an integral part in Indonesian mosque. The Menara Kudus Mosque's tower was built in a Javanese Hindu brick temple style, This tower is not used as a minaret, but as a place for bedug, a huge drum which is beaten to the summons to prayer in Indonesia. This tower is similar to the Drumtowers of Hindu Balinese temples called kul-kul. These suggest a continuation of an earlier Hindu-Buddhist period into the Islamic era in Indonesia.
  Intensive spice trade had strong influence on the Indonesian archipelago. As a result, the multi-storied roof architecture of mosques can be found from Aceh to Ambon. The spread of Islam through the Indonesian archipelago can be divided into three distinct historical processes. In Sumatra, the establishment of early Islamic states reflected the emergence of new polities rather than the subjugation of existing kingdoms. In Java, Muslim rulers succeeded to the political power base of Hindu kings; instead of eliminating the earlier ideology, they maintained a high degree of continuity with the past while extending their dominion. In eastern Indonesia (Borneo, Celebes, and Maluku) established rulers simply converted to Islam. These three distinct processes are reflected in the architecture of mosques in different part of the Indonesian Archipelago. In Sumatra, mosques do not occupy a significant position in terms of their spatial relation to the palace of the ruler, rather provides the focus for a wider area which includes the palace complex. In Java, there is a strong relationship between mosque and the ruler's palace, even when they are located far away from each other. This is particularly significant in the case of Masjid Agung (Great Mosques) of Java which are situated within the palace complex. In eastern Indonesia, conversion to Islam simply involved the appropriation of existing religious buildings to serve as mosques.
  Traditionally, mosque establishment in Indonesia began with the opening or purchase of land for the mosque. Next is the first construction of the mosque, often using traditional material such as bamboo and thatched roof. The mosque will eventually be made into a permanent mosque and later gradually extended to accommodate the increasing population.
caption: Gate of Masjid Agung Kotagede Mosque
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