Building craftsmen in Mamluk society, 648-923/1250-1517 : the professional muhandis in context
This study examines the building craft in Cairo and other major cities during the Mamluk era (1250-1517). In contrast with much current scholarship, this study argues for the existence of a group of educated professionals, usually called muhandisiÌn (singular: muhandis) who were both familiar with the theoretical literature and involved in building construction. This group acted as the top professionals of the building craft. They were certified by the qaÌdÌŁiÌ's court as authoritative experts in their profession and were represented in their society as respected figures. The study also argues that as a part of this conception of the muhandis, we should move away from modern characterisations of the science of handasah as a sort of geometry. Mamluk authors saw handasah as an applied science which included subfields now seen as belonging to mathematics, geometry, mechanics, and physics. Treatises on the application of scientific concepts to the building craft circulated widely, including some specifically aimed at building craftsmen. Finally, this thesis argues that the theoretical knowledge held by educated muhandisiÌn aided them in producing plans and visual representations, gave them a position as legal
Abdulkarim, Amenah
Building craftsmen in Mamluk society, 648-923/1250-1517 : the professional muhandis in context. This study examines the building craft in Cairo and other major cities during the Mamluk era (1250-1517). In contrast with much current scholarship, this study argues for the existence of a group of educated professionals, usually called muhandisiÌn (singular: muhandis) who were both familiar with the theoretical literature and involved in building construction. This group acted as the top professionals of the building craft. They were certified by the qaÌdÌŁiÌ's court as authoritative experts in their profession and were represented in their society as respected figures. The study also argues that as a part of this conception of the muhandis, we should move away from modern characterisations of the science of handasah as a sort of geometry. Mamluk authors saw handasah as an applied science which included subfields now seen as belonging to mathematics, geometry, mechanics, and physics. Treatises on the application of scientific concepts to the building craft circulated widely, including some specifically aimed at building craftsmen. Finally, this thesis argues that the theoretical knowledge held by educated muhandisiÌn aided them in producing plans and visual representations, gave them a position as legal
building craftsman mamluk society professional context study_examines build craft cairo major city mamluk era contrast much_current scholarship study argues existence group educate professional usually call singular familiar theoretical literature involve building construction group act top professional build craft certify court authoritative expert profession represent society respect figure study also_argue part conception move_away modern characterisation science sort geometry mamluk author saw apply science include see belong mathematics geometry mechanic physic treatises application scientific concept build craft circulate widely include specifically aim building craftsman finally argue theoretical knowledge hold educate aid produce plan visual_representation give position legal