ACCENT JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS ECOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Peer Reviewed and Refereed Journal IMPACT FACTOR: 2.104 (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL) UGC APPROVED NO. 48767
Vol.03, Issue 04, April 2018, Available Online: www.ajeee.co.in/index.php/AJEEE
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A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON AURANGZEB MOSQUE: VARANASI Balram Sharma
(Research Scholar)
Department of History of Art, Banaras Hindu University Aurangzeb mosque is the finest example
of the Indo-Islamic style. It is one of the last buildings made by the Mughals.
Presently, the mosque is situated in Varanasi on the bank of Ganga. This is the only old mosque in Varanasi, which is in its original form. Its arches, domes and elevation, say a long history of the Indian architectural tradition. Earlier, the mosque was known for its two tallest minarets, but now both are missing. The other, original structure of the mosque is preserved. Today, it is one of the magnificent place for the locals and the tourists.
The mosque also known as Dharhara of Bindu Madhav, Dharhara of Madhav Das, Mosque of Alamgir and Aurangzeb mosque, etc. In the later half of the 17th century it was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb above the Panchganga Ghat. Historically, Skanda Purana contains useful information about the Ganga and Panchganga Ghat. J. B.
Tarvernier (a French traveler) in 1665 A.D. gave specific details about the temple of Panchganga Ghat. The temple before re-constructed by Beni Madhur Rao Scindia (a Maratha chief) when Aurangzeb destroyed it.
In 1669 A.D., Mughal emperor Aurangzeb built a huge mosque over the ruins of the ancient Vishnu temple.
Possibly the mosque was constructed 70 feet above the Ganga River. And from bottom to upper it is vertically divided into three large steps of pyramid type. Its ground floor comprises a door chamber and a staircase to give way to the sanctuary. The prayer hall is situated on the second or the last floor of the building. A small kiosk of the Archaeological Survey of India is on the right side of the courtyard and the Imam’s room is on the left. There is a fountain pool in the center. Another entrance of the mosque is built on the same platform from the east direction. Currently, this entrance is used as a main gate of the mosque.
Fig. 1 Ground Plan: Alamgiri Mosque The characters of the mosque are influenced by the Indian and Persian elements. There are three spacious arches in the middle of the facade. The central arch is wider than the others. In the sanctuary, two Persian inscriptions are attached along the both sides of the Qibla.
The Qibla is in west direction and the perforated windows are shown here its northern and southern wall. The roof is traditionally decorated with the geometric patterns or motifs. There are three domes embellished on its top in which the central dome is bigger than the others.
The Kalasha and Ayudha can be seen here also above the dome of the mosque.
The whole sanctuary is enclosed with small minarets. Its two minarets behind the domes are constructed traditionally like Chattri. Apart from this, another two tallest minarets were erected on its Foreside. Both of them were 64 meters tall and the diameter of the base was merely 10 feet. James Prinsep (an Indian Renaissance man) was repaired and documented both of these minarets. In October of 1949, the southern minaret collapsed, killing a few people and the northern minaret was officially brought down for the security. Both of these minarets were once considered as a symbol of Beneras, now that the space is empty.
ACCENT JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS ECOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Peer Reviewed and Refereed Journal IMPACT FACTOR: 2.104 (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL) UGC APPROVED NO. 48767
Vol.03, Issue 04, April 2018, Available Online: www.ajeee.co.in/index.php/AJEEE
2 Fig. 2 Aurangzeb Mosque; Painted by
‘Thomas Daniell’
Present Location: National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi
Presently, the mosque is an eminent example of the Hindu and Muslim unity.
The local Muslims offer their pray regularly in the mosque and the Hindus also keep coming to see it. Now, It is preserved under the Archaeological Survey of India (Sarnath Mandal). On the other hand the Bindu Madhav temple is also made among the same Ghat. And today it is also famous for the morning ceremony.
Fig. 3 Alamgiri Mosque
REFERENCES
1. Brown, P. (1968) Indian Architecture:
Islamic Period, Fifth Edition, Bombay: D.B.
Taraporevala Sons & Co. Pvt. Ltd.
2. Fergusson, J. (2012) History of Indian and Eastern Architecture, Vol-2nd, Delhi: DK Publisher and distributors.
3. Kejariwal, O.P. (1996) Beneras Illutrated by James Prinsep, Varanasi: Viswavidyakaya Prakashan.
4. Havell, E.V. (1905) Benaras The Sacred City, London: Blackie & Son Ltd.
5. Parker, R.A. (1905) A Hand Book of Benaras, Second Edition, Tribandrum: Travoncore Government Press.
Internet Sites:
1. http://www.asisarnathcircle.org/
(06/01/2018).
2. http://uptourism.gov.in/post/panchganga -ghat-to-adi-keshva-ghat (09/01/2018).
3. Photo Source:
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi le:Thomas_Daniell_-
_Aurangzeb%27s_Mosque_-
_Google_Art_Project.jpg (16/01/2018).
