Thursday, October 15, 2009

JAMALI KAMALI MOSQUE AND TOMB, MEHRAULI, NEW DELHI, INDIA







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 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.
Jamali, the poet, 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; it is said that his tomb was completed during Humayun’s rule. His poetry mirrored Persian mysticism of the times. His two popular works are “The Sun and Moon" and "The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics

Jamali Kamali Mosque interior




The decorated porch around the Mosque and central mihrab

View from the Mosque




The tomb of Jamail Kamali & Maqbara




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.

Tomb interior
















The richly ornamented ceiling and walls

Chatri


A grave under a pillared pavillion, chhatri, courtyard of Jamali Kamali mosque

The graves


The entrance gate




The entrance gate to the Mosque from southern side

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

RAJAON- KI- BAOLI, MEHRAULI, NEW DELHI, INDIA











Rajaon ki Baoli was built in the 16th century and is a four-tier stepwell with a mosque connected to it. It is a small, intimate mosque, with beautifully etched plaster work.

Arcade around the baoli & its interior




Rajon ki Baoli, stepwell




Rajon ki Baoli, stepwell, built in 1506

"Baoli well"










Well of baoli with semi-circular walkway around it

Rajon ki Baoli mosque and tomb


Tomb and mosque attached to Rajon ki Baoli
















Tuesday, October 13, 2009

MOHAMMAD QULI KHAN'S TOMB/ METCALF''S HOUSE, MEHRAULI, NEW DELHI, INDIA




Tomb of Mohammad Quli Khan, brother of Adham Khan (thus foster brother of Akbar), a general of Mughal Emperor, Akbar, later turned into a country house Metcalf House or Dilkusha by Sir Thomas Metcalf, near Qutb complex.
Tomb was built in 1610. Octagonal tomb was converted by Sir Thomas Metcalfe Resident at Delhi 1835-53 as a week end retreat by extending each octagonal side. Only northern side as can be seen here is remaining..
The semi-circular arches in front of the tomb's base are British (and would be part of Metcalf's house), and can be contrasted with the pointed archs of the original tomb.

Foollies built by Metcalf


A view towards the (erstwhile) formal gardens around the house and Chatri (Kiosk) or Foollies built by Metcalf.

Interior of Quli Khan's tomb


Decorated walls in Quli Khan tomb

"Qutub Minar"




Quli Khan's tomb / Metcalf's House with Qutub Minar in the background

Boathouse


An outhouse or boathouse opposite Quli khan tomb

View from the top of the tomb







A view of Archaeological Park from the top of Quli Khan's tomb