Travelling in India »
Delhi »Khirki Masjid And
Jahanpanah
Quick Facts
Location - About 2km northeast of Qutub Minar in the southern center
of Khirki village.
Time To Visit - Open All Days
Preferred Time - Sunrise to Sunset
Admission Fee - Free to all.
Photography Charges - Nil
How To Reach - Local buses from various points of city coming to
Mehrauli. Hire auto rickshaws or taxis.
Nearest Railway Station - Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station - Central Secretariat
Time Required For Sightseeing - About 30 minutes
Jahanpanah
Founded by Mohammad Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century, Jahanpanah was the
fourth city of Delhi. It was built in between two inhabitant but unprocted
city of Delhi - Siri to the north and Quila Rai Pithora to the south. Siri
was founded by Khilji ruler Alaudin Khilji and Quila Rai Pithora was laid by
famous Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan.
The remains of the city lie today in the village Begumpur. Begumpur village
is crowded with modern housing developments of the suburb of Panchishila
Park south. The easiest access is from a small road that heads east off
Aurobindo Marg between the Outer Ring Road and the Qutub Minar Complex,
right next to the Aurobindo Ashram.
Khirki Masjid
Khirki Masjid was built during the Tughlaq dynasty and famous for its
unique structure. The most extraordinary part of the mosque is covered
entirely by a roof. The Masjid is a fine example of Islamic architecture in
India and vanguard of architectural achievements of Tughlaq dynasty.
The mosque derived it's name because of its distinctive window opening with
jalis or tracery known as Khirki or latticed windows. These windows are
ubiquitous on the upper level of the mosque exterior wall. The latticed
windows were carved out of stone shield. The prime minister of Feroz Shah
Tughlaq, Kha-I- Jahan in the late 14th century built this mosque. This one
is perhaps the most vibrant one out of seven mosque he built during his
tenure.
Architecture Of Khirki Masjid
Khirki Masjid is another example of Indo- Islamic architecture among many
other monuments in India. Indo Islamic architecture flourished during the
time of Delhi Sultanate ( 1191-1526 AD). The Indo Islamic architecture is
fine blend of traditional Hindu as well as Islamic architecture. this type
of amalgamation gave an exotic structures. Muslim rulers most of the time
used Indian artisans to built their monuments as they were educated in their
own art traditions. Another factor was, Muslim invaders destroyed the Hindu
and Jain temples and mosques and monuments were built out of the materials.
In actual temples were modified into monuments.
Khirki Masjid was also built on the same
principle, which is a fusion and adaptation of Hindu and Islamic
architecture. Open court covered with chambers or colonnades were the unique
in Hindu style whereas ornamentation was typical to Islamic style. The
variations of style was predominant in many architectural marvels at that
era.
