Sher Shah Suri's Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid | Purana Qila | Indo - Afghan Architecture | Delhi Mosques
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The Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid in Delhi
The Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid in Delhi is one of the architectural marvels of the Pre-Mughal era. Located at one of the oldest forts of India, the Purana Qila, the Masjid was built by the Sher Shah Suri in 1541. The mosque presents a beautiful fusion of building materials such as the red sandstone, granite and marble and the Indo-Islamic architecture.
Going by the pages of history, the construction of the Purana Qila had begun in 1533 by second Mughal emperor Humayun, naming this place as ‘Din-i-Panaah’. He chose this site as it was believed to be the site of the great capital of the pandavas of the epic mahabharata indraprastha. In 1540, Humayun was deposed by Sher Shah Suri and right after a year, the latter started giving the fort a new shape. This is when the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid also was built. The area was renamed as “Shergarh”
Built in the Afghan style, the base structural pattern that the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid follows that of the ‘five bay mosque’ which has been earlier seen in the Sayyid & Lodi-era buildings. Designed as a Jami or a Friday mosque, the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid boasts of five magnificent arches along with five Mihrabs or prayer arches. Among the arches, the central one is the largest. Here you can see a unique combination of geometric patterns made up of combination of marble and granite. One can easily witness a touch of Afghani architecture within the Central arch with the red sandstone and white marble being the dominant source material throughout.
All the arches have been decorated with the Koranic verses on their rectangular borders. The mosque is a two-storey building which was once accessed through stairs that is present inside the mosque and accessible from the prayer hall. Here we find a narrow passage that runs along with a rectangular hall, providing space for the royal women to pray. The area that’s attached with the Jharokha was meant for the royal family members.
The rectangular border of the Mihrabs have also been decorated with the Koranic verses within its rectangular border, The most distinctive feature found in the second and fourth Mihrabs, is the boxed calligraphy having three sub-sections that has holy verses inscribed in Naqsh, Tughra and Qufic characters. Every Mihrab has got a Qibla- the wall that faces towards Mecca.
Some of the influences in the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid have been attributed to Hindu temples, the prominent ones being the Jharokhas on the left, right and back corner of the mosque, including the use of some motifs along with the Kalash that are seen on the second and fourth entrances.. The Masjid is also said to have had additions made during the time of Mughal emperors Humayun who won back the throne and akbar too.
The masjid stands near to the Western gate of the Purana Qila complex and is a spectacular monument that you must see.
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Going by the pages of history, the construction of the Purana Qila had begun in 1533 by second Mughal emperor Humayun, naming this place as ‘Din-i-Panaah’. He chose this site as it was believed to be the site of the great capital of the pandavas of the epic mahabharata indraprastha. In 1540, Humayun was deposed by Sher Shah Suri and right after a year, the latter started giving the fort a new shape. This is when the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid also was built. The area was renamed as “Shergarh”
Built in the Afghan style, the base structural pattern that the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid follows that of the ‘five bay mosque’ which has been earlier seen in the Sayyid & Lodi-era buildings. Designed as a Jami or a Friday mosque, the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid boasts of five magnificent arches along with five Mihrabs or prayer arches. Among the arches, the central one is the largest. Here you can see a unique combination of geometric patterns made up of combination of marble and granite. One can easily witness a touch of Afghani architecture within the Central arch with the red sandstone and white marble being the dominant source material throughout.
All the arches have been decorated with the Koranic verses on their rectangular borders. The mosque is a two-storey building which was once accessed through stairs that is present inside the mosque and accessible from the prayer hall. Here we find a narrow passage that runs along with a rectangular hall, providing space for the royal women to pray. The area that’s attached with the Jharokha was meant for the royal family members.
The rectangular border of the Mihrabs have also been decorated with the Koranic verses within its rectangular border, The most distinctive feature found in the second and fourth Mihrabs, is the boxed calligraphy having three sub-sections that has holy verses inscribed in Naqsh, Tughra and Qufic characters. Every Mihrab has got a Qibla- the wall that faces towards Mecca.
Some of the influences in the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid have been attributed to Hindu temples, the prominent ones being the Jharokhas on the left, right and back corner of the mosque, including the use of some motifs along with the Kalash that are seen on the second and fourth entrances.. The Masjid is also said to have had additions made during the time of Mughal emperors Humayun who won back the throne and akbar too.
The masjid stands near to the Western gate of the Purana Qila complex and is a spectacular monument that you must see.
Please subscribe to the channel and leave a comment below!
===============
Join us at https://www.livehistoryindia.com to rediscover stories that are deeply rooted in our history and culture.
Also, follow us on -
Twitter: Twitter: LiveHIndia
Facebook: Facebook: LIveHistoryIndia
Instagram: Instagram: LiveHistoryIndia
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