Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb

Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb

Jamali Kamali Mosque
Basic information
Location India New Delhi, India
Geographic coordinates 28°33′45″N 77°13′4″E / 28.56250°N 77.21778°E / 28.56250; 77.21778Coordinates: 28°33′45″N 77°13′4″E / 28.56250°N 77.21778°E / 28.56250; 77.21778.
Affiliation Islam
District New Delhi
Territory Delhi
Province Delhi
Year consecrated 16th century
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Mosque
Leadership Sikander Lodi, Babar and Humayun
Architectural description
Architect(s) Saint Shaikh Fazlullah also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh
Architectural type Mosque and Tomb
Architectural style Religious
Completed 1528 and 1536
Materials Red Sandstone with Marble facing

Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, located in the Archaeological Village complex in Mehrauli, Delhi, India, comprise two monuments adjacent to each other; one is the mosque and the other is the tomb of two persons with the names Jamali and Kamali. The name "Jamali" is Urdu, though originates from "Jamal" which means "beauty". "Jamali" was the alias given to Shaikh Fazlu'llah, also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh or Jalal Khan, a renowned Sufi saint who lived during the pre-Mughal dynasty rule of the Lodi's, a period from the rule of Sikander Lodi to the Mughal Dynasty rule of Babur and Humayun. Jamali was greatly regarded. Kamali was an unknown person but associated with Jamali and his antecedents have not been established. Their names are tagged together as "Jamali Kamali" for the mosque as well as the tomb since they are buried adjacent to each other. The mosque and the tomb were constructed in 1528-1529, and Jamali was buried in the tomb after his death in 1535.[1][2][3][4][5]

Mosque structure

The entrance gate to the Mosque from southern side
The decorated arcade around the Mosque

The Jamali Kamali mosque, positioned in an enclosed garden area, built first during the years 1528-29, has a southern entry. It is built in red sandstone with marble embellishments. It is claimed to be a forerunner in the design of Mughal mosque architecture in India. The prayer hall, fronted by a large courtyard, has five arches with the central arch only having a dome. The size of arches increases towards the central arch, which is the largest of the five arches embellished with beautiful ornamentation. The spandrels of the arch are decorated with medallions and ornamentation. Fluted pilasters exquisitely decorate the central arch. The prayer wall on the west has niches with mihrab. The niches and walls are decorated with a few Koranic inscriptions. A porch around the mosque provides access to the two storied mosque and the four corners are adorned by octagonal towers. The rear end of the mosque has been provided with oriel windows, apart from a small window on the central arch.[1][2][3][5]

Tomb structure

Interior decoration on the roof of tomb of Jamali Kamali, Mehrauli Archeological Park, Delhi

The tomb of Jamali-Kamali is a decorated 7.6 m (25 ft) square structure with a flat roof, located adjacent to the mosque on its northern side. Inside the chamber, the flat ceiling is plastered and ornately decorated. It is painted in red and blue with some Koranic inscriptions, and the walls are adorned with inlaid coloured tiles inscribed with Jamali's poems. The decorations in the tomb have been described as giving the impression of "stepping into a jewel box". In the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb the tomb chamber has two marble graves: one of Jamali, the saint poet and the other of Kamali. The reason for the Kamali name could probably be that it rhymes well with Jamali.[1][4][6]

Jamali, the poet

Jamali, who belonged to a Sunni merchant family, was indoctrinated to Sufism by Sheik Samauddin. He was a popular poet who traveled widely around Asia and the Middle East. He became court poet during Lodi Dynasty rule and continued to enjoy the patronage of the Mughal rulers, Babur and his son Humayun. His poetry mirrored Persian mysticism of the times. His two popular works are "The Sun and Moon" and "The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics".It is said that his tomb was completed during Humayun's rule.

Conservation

The monument is well maintained and provides a very serene atmosphere.[6] Conservation of the monuments has been undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to further spruce it up before the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi. It is one of the 172 monuments under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Archaeological circle, of ASI, identified for restoration. An amount of Rs. 1.5 million (US$30,000) has been proposed for this purpose.[1]

Prayers

The practice of Friday prayers is barred in such monuments classified by the body under the category of "non-living heritage structures".[7] The fakirs call upon Jinns on every Thursday as the place is believed to be haunted. People have noted to have been slapped by invisible forces and have heard various voices coming from adjoining graves.[8][9]

Access

Mehrauli urban village where the monument is located is approachable from all parts of Delhi by well laid out roads and transport system. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is 18 km away and the New Delhi Railway Station and Nizamuddin Railway Station are respectively 17 km (11 mi), and 16 km (9.9 mi) away. Visitors are free to visit the monument on all week days.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Commonwealth Games-2010: Conservation, Restoration and Upgradation of Public Amenities at Protected Monuments" (PDF). Jamali Kamali Tomb and Mosque. p. 59. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Lal Kot and Siri" (pdf). Jamali Kamali Tomb and Mosque. p. 9. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Jamali Kamali Mosque". ArchNet.com. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  4. 1 2 "Jamali Kamali's Tomb and Mosque". Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Close view of main façade of the Jamali Kamali Masjid, Delhi". On Line gallery British Library. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  6. 1 2 Peck, Lucy (2005). Delhi -A thousand years of Building. Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb (1528-29). New Delhi: Roli Books Pvt Ltd. p. 234. ISBN 81-7436-354-8. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "People try to forcibly enter ASI-protected mosque for Friday prayers". Indian Express. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  8. ↑ "Karbala graveyard to jinns of Jamali Kamali Mosque: Delhi's 5 most haunted locations". Dainik Bhaskar. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  9. ↑ Bhattacharya, Roshmila (13 May 2011). "India's Most Haunted?". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
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