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Monumental faith Shirish
Joshi on Adhai Din Ka Jhompra, which is believed to have been
built in two and a half days
The 15-centuries-old city of Ajmer in Rajasthan reminds most people only of the famous dargah of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the world. But some 60-70 m away, there is another monument that does not get much attention, but is equally significant to any lover of history and architecture. This little-known monument is popularly called Adhai-Din-ka-Jhompra. It is situated on the foothills of the Taragarh hill. Legend has it that it was built by Mohammad Ghauri in 1193 A.D. in just two and a half days (adhai-din) and hence the name. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) says that the name of the monument possibly derives from the fact that a fair used to be held there for two and a half days. It is an architectural marvel in every sense with a seven-arched wall inscribed with verses from the Koran in front of the pillared hall. The monument is a mosque where people still offer prayers. However, the monument today looks forlorn with very little maintenance. Designed by Abu Bakr of Herat, the mosque is a fair example of early Indo-Islamic architecture and is built from masonry taken from broken-down Hindu and Jain temples or a Sanskrit college that existed there. Of special mention are the pillars, which hold up the ceiling in the main chamber. An intricate jali (screen) under a raised arch was added by Sultan Altamush in 1230AD. Colonel James Tod, the Britisher who was the first to map Rajasthan and write about it in immense detail, describes the Adhai-Din-ka-Jhompra as a temple in his book Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. He wrote, "The
entire facade of this noble entrance is covered with Arabic
inscriptions, but a small frieze over the apex of the arch is
contained an inscription in Sanskrit. The reason why the mosque could
be completed in two and a half days is existence of the original
structures. One can enter the mosque through a simple gateway in the
north. On its right stands a ruined minaret. The gate leads to a
stairway leading up to a small tower from where the muezzin called the
faithful to prayer. |
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