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