Sidi Saiyyed Mosque Ahmedabad
One of the most famous mosques in Ahmedabad City built in 1573, by an Abyssinian general in the army of Sultan Shams-ud-Din Muzaffar Shah III of Gujarat Sultanate. According to the stone tablet fixed within the wall of the mosque, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque was constructed in the last year of the Sultanate rule. Located off the eastern edge of Nehru Bridge, this historic mosque provides a stark contrast to a fast moving vehicular traffic and giant advertisements which have now engulfed this area.
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque Architecture
Entirely arcuated, the architecture of this mosque is famous for beautifully carved ten-stone latticework windows covering the side and the rear arches. The rear portion of the mosque is filled with square stone pierced panels assembled in geometrical designs. The intricately carved stone windows along the twin bays flanking the central aisle feature reticulated carved stone slabs depicting designs of intertwined trees, foliage and a palm motif, which have affectionately come to be recognized as the Sidi Saiyyed Jali. Promoted as an unofficial symbol of Ahmedabad City, this design has inspired the famous logo of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Brusque Finish
However, the construction of the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque could never be completed at time before the Mughals invaded Gujarat. The central window arch of the mosque is simply walled with stone, which actually should have been fitted with another intricate stone latticework instead. Although, the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque lacking an enclosed courtyard is much smaller than the Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad, the intricate craftsmanship helps it score, placing it at an unparalleled level in the world.
