March 22, 2007

Famous Mosques in Ahemdabad

Jama Masjid

Ahmedabad contains a number of architectural monuments of historical importance. Jama Masjid was built in 1424 by Sultan Ahmed Shah I.It is one of the biggest and oldest mosque for Friday Prayers. It is one of the finest mosques in India with 256 pillars supporting 15 domes at different elevations. There is a spacious courtyard in marble. There are intricate Hindu carvings on the pillars.The mosque had minarets which were destroyed in an earthquake.

Rani Rupmati’s Mosque

Rani Rupmati’s mosque is situated in the north of city.The mosque is named after the Hindu wife of Sultan Mahmud Begado. The mosque was built between 1430 and 1440 and represents a harmonious synthesis of Hindu and Muslim styles. It has three domes supported by pillars with the central domes slightly elevated which allows natural light into the mosque. The mosque lost its minarets in the earthquake of 1818.

Rani Sipri’s mosque

Rani Sipri’s mosque is situated on Sardar Patel Road.This mosque is also known as the Masjid - e- Nagira, or jewel of a mosque. It has ornamented minarets and a tomb of Rani Sipri, who had the mosque built after her son was executed for a minor crimel. It is another beautiful specimen of Hindu art in a Muslim monument.

Sidi Saiyad’s Mosque

Sidi Saiyad’s Mosque was constructed i n the year 1573 by Sidi Saiyad, a slave of Ahmed Shah.The mosque has ten screen windows (jalis)of pierced stone, worked in style of a tree with palm leaves and curving tendrils. A superb and peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree. Wooden models of these windows, a fine example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture are kept in the New York and Kensington museums.

Sidi Bashirs mosque

Sidi Bashirs mosque is one of the most popular monuments in Ahemdabad .It is also known as Jhulta minars or shaking minarets .The minarets have three floors, adorned by carved stones. The style is a complete innovation. The mosque is designed as such that the response to vibration is transmitted to the other via a stone bridge joining both .The massive earth quake of 2001 had an impact on the monument.