Jami Masjid At Gulbarga
Jami Masjid at Gulbarga
- Built in A.D. 1367 under the architect Rafi from Kazwin in northern Persia.
- It is a rare example of an Indian mosque without a courtyard as the entire structure is covered with a roof.
- The style is neither Persian nor Indian, but both are amalgamated so as both can be unidentifiable.
- The structure measures 216' X 176', with cloisters on three sides and a spacious sanctuary with a dome on the western side.
- The central area is filled in with rows of aisles forming 68 bays, each roofed by a cupola.
- The external appearance of the central dome is made lofty and prominent by raising it on a square clerestory, its shape being repeated by the smaller cupolas.
- The dome is supported on the clerestory by means of squinches, some of the arches being gracefully foliated.
- Other constructional methods such as oversailing courses of masonry and vaulting are used in the aisles. This indicates a ripe technical knowledge and experience of the builders.
- The cloisters consist of a series of single archways of a very wide spans and low imposts.
- In the middle of the northern cloister is a large archway with the entrance which breaks the symmetry of the design.
- The interior is composed of a perspective of square bays with solid piers and vaulted ceilings in both directions.
- The building has very little in terms of ornamentation, but is more of an example of intellectual greatness and originality.
- The mosque had a great impact on Deccani architecture, its features like the stilted dome raised on the clerestory and the cloister arches with wide spans and low imposts.
- The style of this mosque did not find favour in India, though it may have inspired in a limited way the design of the Kali Masjid and Khirki Masjid built in Delhi shortly afterwards.