The main entrance to this mosque is from the noisy, crowed main street of the daily market in the Pols of Ahmedabad. In fact the gate is reached by ascending stairs that are partially hidden by a crowd of small shops. You don’t stumble upon this treasure by accident. Inside , you enter a huge courtyard and notice immediately that there is a peaceful quiet after the previous moments of chaotic street noise.
The courtyard holds an abolition tank for washing and covered colonnades seem as arms surrounding the open space. 
The majestic prayer hall is on the fourth side of the courtyard.
There are 260 columns supporting 15 large domes ( sorry no pictures of the domes, but they are there) and several smaller ones. Here is a sketch. 
On the western wall are miharbs to indicate the direction of Mecca. All prayers are in that direction so miharbs are an important feature of all mosques. There are massive square buttresses with elaborate carvings which reinforce the walls.The ornate perforated screens and balconies cut the rays of the afternoon sun, preventing any direct sunlight to hit the floor. As we visited quite a few mosques, we noticed the times of prayer listed and each was a little different. I think that is to allow the faithful to go to another mosque if they are late for this one.
A devastating earthquake stripped the original minarets of their crown in the early 19th century. Before that destruction, they demonstrated a curious engineering genius shared by several other minarets in the city. When one tower was shaken, the other would also vibrate. There are two remaining pairs of of these vibrating minarets, but unfortunately demonstrations of the shaking phenomena are no longer allowed in order to preserve the towers.
The Jama Mosque is Ahmedabad’s primary mosque, where the faithful gather for Friday afternoon prayers. Many of the inhabits of the Pols are Muslim. This is their neighborhood house of prayer. The site is 2 acres in the midst of a crowded city and took 10 years to construct. It was completed in 1424 and is considered a highlight of the Medieval architecture that Sultan Shah constructed during his reign. Notice similarities in architectural elements with Sarkhej Roza as discussed in a previous post.
Namaste. . . . . .T I I I
TalesAlongTheWay 
Great architecture………..
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Indeed, and it is so old. That never ceases to amaze me in this through away world we live in today! Namaste. . . .Anne
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Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
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thanks for sharing this…and Namaste 🙂
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My pleasture.. . . .Anne
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Definitely a great space. It reminds me of the Hall of One Hundred Columns, in Persepolis. When the columns are used in a field, there is that great forest-like effect that just doesn’t come across when they are wrapping the exterior of a temple. Perhaps one more reason why I have to visit this part of the world.
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Indeed you should visit incredible India. We were there for three months in Ahmedabad where my professor husband and 11 architecture students studied at Cept University and then we traveled for a month.
I remember temples in the South where there were 100 column halls, but he is not hear to ask which ones. Thinking about it makes me think of the Mosque at Cordoba in Spain and Temple at Thebes in Egypt.
You have been to Iran…cool. I know there is a mosque there the architect would love to see, but we don’t like being someones political statement!
Are you an architect? Namaste. .. .Anne
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I am! Though I’ll admit (embarrassingly) that I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to travel outside of the country. I keep hearing more good things about India though, having a sister that is interested in spending some time there.
It sounds like your husband gets to take students on some serious field trips.
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I was in the midst of a long reply and I lost it. Did I by chance send it to you?
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I’m afraid not… I hate when that happens.
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David says professors arent rich but there are other perks. We have traveled quite a bit. He has taken students to Roma for a semester many times and then done some summer and spring break trips to Spain and Portugal. It gets in your blood. David mostly uses Eye Witness guides and thinks they are good with plans and isometric images. We had most of the kids in the group who had never even gone to Canada or Mexico..but they were real troopers and started traveling on their own and then at the end of the time. India is indeed Incredible, though people tease me for my enthusiasm. For me it is all about the people and they are so kind, patient and loving in the midst of chaos….the traffic…non of the rickshaw drivers know where things are… there are no numbers or often street names….really in a city of near;y 6 million. David would use his I Phone to help them out! Plan on a guide and there are ones on the blogs from different areas. We have always gone on our own even to Egypt..but English is very limited to all the masses who are not educated and limited to many who have even gone to college. The internet is crazy and so are the phones…things we take so for granted…But we would go back in a flash! Then there is Delhi Belly…but I can help you with that , too…. The cons are numerous and a huge challenge…but the pros far out weigh them! Sorry, to go on and on..but you can see I loved it. Check out posts on my blog. There are some architectural posts..but remember I am just a long suffering wife….In Ahmedabad is Kahn’s I I M building ….wonderful and Corbs Mill Owners’s Building where the kids had their final review with Doshi…. He is the Frank Lloyd Wright of Indian Architecture! How about that??? 😎 Namaste….. (Hindi ciao) Anne
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Very cool..:-)
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It is indeed. . .Namaste. . . Anne
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The second photograph from the top is titled as “ceremonial bathing inside”, the actual word is ‘ABLUTION’ By the way it’s a nice post! Keep it up!
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Oh thank you for the information! This Mosque is such a peaceful oasis in the midst of bustling Ahamedabad. We loved it there! Namaste. . . .Anne
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