Saiyad Usman Mosque Explained

Building Name:Saiyad Usman Mosque and Tomb
Map Type:India Ahmedabad#India Gujarat
Map Size:300px
Location:Ahmedabad
Coordinates:23.048°N 72.5695°W
Religious Affiliation:Islam
State:Gujarat
Municipality:Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
Functional Status:Active
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:Mosque and tomb
Architecture Style:Indo-Islamic architecture
Funded By:Mahmud Begada
Year Completed:1460
Heritage Designation:Monument of National Importance
ASI Monument No. N-GJ-29

Saiyad Usman Mosque, alternatively spelled as Syed or Saiyyed, also known as Usmanpura Dargah or Roza or Saiyad Oosman Mausoleum, is a medieval tomb and mosque in Usmanpura, Ahmedabad, India.

History

Saiyid Usmān, also known as Sham-i-Burhāni was a disciple and successor of Qutub-ul Ālam, aka Saiyad Burhān-ud-din. Saiyid Usmān was a prominent Sufi saint, and lived along with his teacher in the village of Vatva outside Ahmedabad. As Saiyid Usmān attracted more followers, he moved out and founded Usmānpurā village. Saiyid Usmān died in 1459 and the mausoleum dedicated to him was built by Sultan Mahmud Begada in 1460. It is architecturally similar to Ganj Baksh tomb at Sarkhej Roza.[1] [2] [3]

During the British Raj, Major Cole spend Rs. 7,500 for the mosque's restoration.

The mosque was heavily damaged in 2001 Gujarat earthquake but was restored by Archaeological Survey of India in 2009.[4] [5] [6]

Architecture

The mosque, with a minaret at each end, is in the style of the Sarkhej Roza. The mosque is a pure Hindu style without an arch. Inside, the arrangement of pillars, is neither so simple nor so clear as at Sarkhej. One peculiarity of tho tomb is that its dome is supported on twelve instead of on eight pillars. This change gives much variety and the tomb is altogether the most successful sepulchral design carried out in the pillared style at Ahmedabad.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad. 1879. Government Central Press. 284.
  2. News: AHMEDABADS OTHER ROZAS . Times of India Publications. 25 February 2011. https://archive.today/20141207180957/http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=2&edlabel=TOIA&mydateHid=25-02-2011&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00202&format=&publabel=TOI. dead. 7 December 2014. 7 December 2014.
  3. Book: Commissariat, M. S. . History of Gujarat . Longman, Greens & Co. . 1938 . I . 158–159.
  4. News: PEARLS OF PAST: Need Some Elbow Room. The Times of India. 25 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20141213193323/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/pastissues2/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TOIA/2011/11/25&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00202&AppName=2. dead. 13 December 2014. 7 December 2014.
  5. News: Mosque owners, ASI lock horns. The Times of India. 10 September 2007. 7 December 2014.
  6. News: ASI asked to take care of monuments. 13 June 2001. https://archive.today/20141207181229/http://www.thehindu.com/2001/06/13/stories/1413218e.htm. dead. 7 December 2014. The Hindu. 7 December 2014.