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Architectural Design of Mosque of Mujahid Khan The mosque of Mujahid Khan is known to be well maintained and most of its original features are preserved. The courtyard of the mosque is walled. The entrance gates of the mosque are simple and are located in the northern and southern walls of the courtyard. A colonnaded prayer hall has been constructed on a platform. The prayer hall measures about 24.50 X 10.50 meters and has nine bays and four aisles. It has been beautifully constructed with used materials of other temples. The shape and the designs of the columns are more or less similar. The brackets and lintels have been adorned with identical carvings. The columns located in the front two rows of the prayer hall are octagonal in shape. The other columns and their bases bear a cruciform shape. The columns that are utilized for the central bay are more complex in design. They have a mandala plan. Few of the eave stones above the front row of the columns are original while most of them have been replaced. The shafts in the lower part of the mosque have been kept simple but those in the upper parts have been carved elaborately with different motifs that include pot and foliage. The northern and southern walls of the prayer hall have a huge arched window. There are small arched niches used for holding lamps. Four similar lamp niches are also visible on the qibla wall. The mosque has three mihrabs and two smaller arched windows. The windows built in the northern and southern wall have a semi octagonal shaped balcony. The windows built in the qibla wall however have small rectangular shaped balconies. The balustrades of the balconies have been made of stone panels that have been fixed into carved stone posts built in the corners. The eastern side of the prayer hall has been kept open. There are three mihrabs in the mosque with the main mihrab somewhat larger in size. It also has a higher arch. The ogee arches are like horse shoe and resemble the Qila's Masjid at Didwana. This form of architectural pattern is common in Nagaur and is not visible in central Rajasthan. The arches have been bordered with exclusive diamond and disc patterns. Two rosettes have been carved on the spandrel. A huge rosette has been made at the centre of the back panel of every mihrab. The arches have been constructed on jambs and have been embellished with columns that have vase shaped capitals and bases. An inscription has been carved on each of the mihrab in Thuluth script. This local style was acquired during the reign of the Khans. The inscription on the central mihrab has some historical text while two other inscriptions bearing religious quotes. The calligraphy of these inscriptions is exclusive in their form and can be compared to the epigraphs of the Shams Khan Masjid in Nagaur. The lintels are decorated with foliated garlands and the soffits have a central lotus motif. The flat ceiling of the mosque has been bedecked with several Islamic features. An inscription has been engraved on the mosque that states about the date of its construction. According to the date of the construction mentioned, the mosque had been built eight years after the construction of the reservoir. The inscription also records about the genealogy of the Khans of Nagaur. It dates back to the time of Wajih al-Mulk, who had been the ancestor of both the Sultan of Gujarat and the Khans. The inscription of the mosque of Mujahid Khan and other inscriptions of Mujahid Khan found in Naraina ascertains that Mujahid Khan resided in the eastern region of the territory between 1437 and 1444. Visiting Information It is important for the visitors to note that there are no regular flights from other major cities of India to Naraina. The nearest airport to Naraina is the Sanganeer Airport in Jaipur. Naraina is located at a distance of about 57 kilometers from Sanganeer Airport. Another viable option for the visitors is the Jodhpur Airport in Jodhpur. As far as railway is concerned, regular trains connect Naraina to other major cities of the country. Railway stations located close to Naraina are the Naraina Railway Station and the Dantra Railway Station. But it should be noted that Jaipur Railway Station is considered to be the major railway station to Naraina. It is located at a distance of about 66 kilometers from Naraina. The various bus stations of Naraina are Palka Bus Stand, Sawarda Bus Stand, Roadways Bus Stand, Roadways Bus Stop and Gidani Bus Stop. Naraina is located at a distance of about 72 kilometers from Jaipur. It is located at a distance of about 14 kilometers from Dudu. Related Articles Monuments of Rajasthan Mosques in India Temples of Rajasthan Tourism in Rajasthan (Last Updated on : 13-09-2016) |
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