
Fatehpuri Masjid The red sandstone Fatehpuri masjid stands on the western end of Chandini Chowk. It is topped off by a dome and is flanked by tall minarets. It was built by one of Shah Jahan's wives Fatehpuri Begum in 1650.
Fatehpuri Masjid
Labels: Mosques in India 0 commentsPosted by Sharada at 11:34 PM
Taj-ul-Masjid
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The most impressive structure in Bhopal is the Taj-ul-Masjid, one of the largest and most elegant Muslim mosques in India.
Taj-ul-Masjid literally translates as ‘The Crown of Mosques’, and the construction of the monument was characterised by sporadic bursts of activity alternating with spans of inactivity during the reigns of successive Begums.
However, the monument was never completed due to lack of money, and after a long lay-off, construction was resumed in 1971.
Taj-ul-Masjid
The building really presents a spectacular sight and is worth taking a bow to. It’s pink façade is topped by two huge white-domed minarets pointing upwards to the heavens, as if seeking its blessings.
The mosque also has three huge bulbous domes, an impressive main hallway with attractive pillars, marble flooring and a spacious courtyard. Must a visit site.
The mosque is one of the most important Muslim landmarks in the city of Bhopal, and is multi-purpose as it is used as a madarsa, a Islamic religious school during the day.
Posted by Sharada at 11:31 PM
Moti Masjid
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The Moti Masjid was an important landmark of Bhopal, and was built in 1860 by Sikandar Jehan Begum, Qudisiya Begum’s daughter. Sikandar Begum was fairly unconventional compared to Muslim women of her time – she usually dressed like a man and went out riding without a veil, often with a dagger tucked under her belt.
Bhopal came to be known as the domain of the relatively liberated, even progressive women, and it was Sikandar Begum who set the trend. The Begum was an enthusiastic reformer, open to modern ideas.
She abolished slavery and built roads, bridges and beautiful monuments like the Moti Masjid.
The mosque has a marble-white façade with two small cupolas atop it, and it has two huge black minarets on either side of it.
Posted by Sharada at 11:30 PM
Jamali Kamali Tomb
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Further down is the Jamali Kamali masjid and tomb, which has recently been renovated by INTACH, an autonomous cultural organization. Jamali was the alias of the Sufi saint Shaikh Fazlullah, who was also known as Jalal Khan. The saint had a prodigious life – he lived right through Sikander Lodi's reign, the famous battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur and died during the lifetime of Humayun. Who Kamali was remains a tantalizing mystery.
¤ The Construction
The tomb and mosque bearing their names lie within yards of each other. They were started in Babur's time in about 1528 and finished in Humayun's reign by 1535-36.
¤ The Tomb
The tomb lies immediately behind the mosque and is a smallish chamber. Small but not humble. Upon entering it your eye is immediately caught by the richly ornamented ceiling and walls. They are covered with tiles of various hues and patterns in incised and painted plaster. Several verses compose by Jamali are also inscribed on the walls.
The beautiful and spruce lawns of Jamali Kamali make it a popular picnic spot for Delhites.
Posted by Sharada at 11:29 PM
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