Akhadwali Masjid

Akhadwali Masjid built during the period of Muslim rule is located in Rajasthan. The mosque had been built two decades later after the Ek Minar ki Masjid in Churigaron Mahalla to the western side of the Shams Khan Masjid. It is a simple structure designed beautifully with modern artistic designs seen in different parts of northern India.

Architecture of Akhadwali Masjid
Akhadwali Masjid has a flat roofed mosque. The foundation inscription of the mosque had been conversed and fixed above the mihrab. According to it the building had been constructed during the reign of Firuz Khan Salah Khan on Thursday 17th Sha`ban 883/13th November 1478. A colonnaded prayer hall adorns the beauty of the mosque. It measures 4.5 x 9 metres and has three bays and two aisles that have been made of monolithic columns and pilasters in three parts. The colonnade has been kept open on the eastern part of the courtyard. It measures 9 x 6.50 metres and is decorated with arched entrance built in the centre of the eastern wall. The lintels of the prayer hall sustain the stone of the roof that have been built across the mosque. The columns resemble the Firuz Khan Masjid and Ek Minar ki Masjid. The shafts of Akhadwali Masjid are narrow and measure only 20 cm. square above the base. The ante capitals are different in its measurements and design from the earlier ones. The narrow brackets of this ante-capital have been adorned with lobes placed on top of an open scroll motif. A single mirab made of semi octagonal arched niche has been carved into the wall.

Towards the north of the mihrab a minar having three stone steps has been built. The shape of the mihrab is worth noticing and is of modern design. The four centred main arch of the mihrab bears resemblance to the arches of the Lodi Dynasty like that in mosque of Bara Gumbad. The ancient arches of Naguar were usually two centred. The mihrab, semi octagonal in shape is one of the interesting features of the mosque as it was uncommon feature of the Sultanate period in India. It can be seen in only some buildings such as the Solah Khamba Masjid at Bidar, Shahi Masjid at Mandor and Jama Masjid of the same town.

Some restoration work has been carried out in Akhadwali Masjid. These include the construction of three arches in the midst of the columns located outside of the prayer hall as well as in between the column and pilaster on the north side. A chamber has also been made on the southern side of the courtyard that probably dates back to the Mughal period.