Toli Masjid is a mosque situated in Karwan region of Hyderabad in the Indian state Telangana. Also referred as Damri Masjid, it stands at a distance of about 2 kilometres from the Golconda fort on the way to Charminar. Archaeological Survey of India has declared it as a heritage site and the monument is INTACH awarded. In terms of architecture, Toli Masjid is praised greatly after Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad.
History of Toli Masjid
The mosque was constructed by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar in the year 1671 AD during the regime of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah. It exhibits one of the finest testaments of Qutub Shahi architecture. Architect of Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad who was also the royal architect of Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah contributed in the construction of this mosque. A compilation of royal records known as Gulzar-e-Asafia narrates an interesting fact about its construction. It says that while building of the Mecca Masjid, the royal architect was given one coin, also called damri or damdi, out of every rupee spent on it. The amount collected by Musa Khan in this way was later used to build Toli Masjid. Thus the mosque came to be known as Damri Masjid.
Architecture of Toli Masjid
Toli Masjid stands on a raised platform having a high plinth and is divided into two halls. The outer hall has five-arched openings. The central one among the five outer arches is a little wider and is richly ornamented. The edifice is flanked by two minarets each having 20 metres length. A series of miniature arches can be spotted over the parapets on top and the arches have different perforated designs. A row of tiny notches runs above this, which are punctuated by six finials. Minarets are elaborately decorated and have three receding tiers of octagonal galleries. Among these, the central one stands over a series of deeply recessed, carved mouldings and petals. Round patterns cover the minaret shaft. A brass finial and a circular dome embellish the entire construction.
In the spandrels, there are five exquisite arches each having lotus medallions. The central arch is wider than the rest four and is more embellished. In the prayer hall there is an inscription that states that the mosque was built by Musa Khan who had an important role in the accession of Abul Hasan Qutb Shah to the throne of Golconda. The Musa Burj (bastion) of the Golconda fort was also constructed by him. The upper half portion of the mosque is magnificently adorned.
