Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb
Encyclopedia
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb located in the Archeological Village complex in Mehrauli
, Delhi, comprise two monuments adjacent to each other, one is the mosque
and the other is the tomb
of two persons with the names Jamali and Kamali. Jamali (‘Jamali’ in Urdu language originates from 'Jamal' which means “beauty
”) was the pseudo name given to Shaikh Fazlu’llah, also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh
or Jalal Khan, a renowned Sufi Saint
who lived during the pre-Mughal dynasty rule of the Lodi’s (Sikander Lodi to the Mughal Dynasty rule of Babur
and Humayun
), and he was greatly regarded. Kamali was an unknown person but associated with Jamali and his antecedents have not been established. Their names are tagged together as "Jamali Kamali" for the mosque as well as the tomb since they are buried adjacent to each other. The mosque and the tomb building were constructed in 1528-1529 but Jamali was buried in the tomb after his death in 1535.
. The niches and walls are decorated with a few Koranic inscriptions. A porch around the mosque provides access to the two storied mosque and the four corners are adorned by octagonal towers. The rear end of the mosque has been provided with oriel windows, apart from a small window on the central arch.
The tomb of Jamali-Kamali is an impressively decorated 7.6 m (24.9 ft) square structure with a flat roof, located adjacent to the mosque on its northern side. Inside the chamber, the flat ceiling is plastered and beautifully decorated. It is painted in red and blue with some Koranic inscriptions, and the walls are adorned with inlaid coloured tiles inscribed with Jamali’s poems. The decorations in the tomb have been described as “going inside is like stepping into a jewel box”. In the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb the tomb chamber has two marble graves one of Jamali, the saint poet and the other of Kamali, the reason for the Kamali name could probably be that it rhymes well with Jamali.
by Sheik Samauddin. He was a popular poet who traveled widely around Asia
and the Middle East
. He became court poet during Lodi Dynasty rule and continued to enjoy the patronage of the Mughal rulers, Babur and his son Humayun; it is said that his tomb was completed during Humayun’s rule. His poetry mirrored Persian mysticism
of the times. His two popular works are “The Sun and Moon" and "The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics”.
to be held in Delhi. It is one of the 172 monuments under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Archeological circle, of ASI
, identified for restoration. An amount of Rs. 15 lakh
s (US$30,000) has been proposed for this purpose.
mosque and a few others.
urban village where the monument is located is approachable from all parts of Delhi by well laid out roads and transport system. The Indira Gandhi International Airport
is 18 km away and the New Delhi Railway Station
and Nizamuddin Railway Station
are respectively 17 km (10.6 mi), and 16 km (9.9 mi) away. Visitors are free to visit the monument on all week days.
Mehrauli
Mehrauli is a neighbourhood in the South West district of Delhi in India. It represents a constituency in the legislative assembly of Delhi. The area is located close to Gurgaon.-History:...
, Delhi, comprise two monuments adjacent to each other, one is the mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
and the other is the tomb
Tomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
of two persons with the names Jamali and Kamali. Jamali (‘Jamali’ in Urdu language originates from 'Jamal' which means “beauty
Beauty
Beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning, or satisfaction. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, sociology, social psychology, and culture...
”) was the pseudo name given to Shaikh Fazlu’llah, also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh
Shaikh Jamali Kamboh
Shaikh Jamali Kamboh Shaikh Jamali Kamboh Shaikh Jamali Kamboh (Shaikh Jamal-uddin Kamboh Dehlwi, also known as Shaikh Hamid bin Fazlullah, Dervish Jamali Kamboh Dehlwi, Shaikh Jamal-uddin Kamboh Dehlwi or Jalal Khan etc...
or Jalal Khan, a renowned Sufi Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
who lived during the pre-Mughal dynasty rule of the Lodi’s (Sikander Lodi to the Mughal Dynasty rule of Babur
Babur
Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother...
and Humayun
Humayun
Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor who ruled present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556. Like his father, Babur, he lost his kingdom early, but with Persian aid, he eventually regained an even larger one...
), and he was greatly regarded. Kamali was an unknown person but associated with Jamali and his antecedents have not been established. Their names are tagged together as "Jamali Kamali" for the mosque as well as the tomb since they are buried adjacent to each other. The mosque and the tomb building were constructed in 1528-1529 but Jamali was buried in the tomb after his death in 1535.
Mosque structure
The Jamali Kamali mosque, positioned in an enclosed garden area, built first during the years 1528-29, has a southern entry. It is built in red sandstone with marble embellishments. It is claimed to be a forerunner in the design of Mughal mosque architecture in India. The prayer hall, fronted by a large courtyard, has five arches with the central arch only having a dome. The size of arches increases towards the central arch, which is the largest of the five arches embellished with beautiful ornamentation. The spandrels of the arch are decorated with medallions and ornamentation. Fluted pilasters exquisitely decorate the central arch. The prayer wall on the west has niches with mihrabMihrab
A mihrab is semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla; that is, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca and hence the direction that Muslims should face when praying...
. The niches and walls are decorated with a few Koranic inscriptions. A porch around the mosque provides access to the two storied mosque and the four corners are adorned by octagonal towers. The rear end of the mosque has been provided with oriel windows, apart from a small window on the central arch.
Tomb structure
Jamali, the poet
Jamali, who belonged to a Sunni merchant family, was indoctrinated to SufismSufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
by Sheik Samauddin. He was a popular poet who traveled widely around Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. He became court poet during Lodi Dynasty rule and continued to enjoy the patronage of the Mughal rulers, Babur and his son Humayun; it is said that his tomb was completed during Humayun’s rule. His poetry mirrored Persian mysticism
Persian mysticism
Persian mysticism, or the Persian love tradition, is a traditional interpretation of existence, life and love in Iran. It relies on revelatory and heart-felt principles in its reasoning...
of the times. His two popular works are “The Sun and Moon" and "The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics”.
Conservation
The monument is well maintained and provides a very serene atmosphere. Conservation of the monuments has been undertaken by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to further spruce it up before the 2010 Commonwealth Games2010 Commonwealth Games
The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games till date...
to be held in Delhi. It is one of the 172 monuments under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Archeological circle, of ASI
ASI
-Names:* ASI Solutions, an Australian IT company* Asi, a Russian name for the Ossetians* Asi, another name for the Orontes River* Asi language, a language spoken by Bantoanons from the island of Banton, Philippines...
, identified for restoration. An amount of Rs. 15 lakh
Lakh
A lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand . It is widely used both in official and other contexts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and is often used in Indian English.-Usage:...
s (US$30,000) has been proposed for this purpose.
Friday prayers
It is a government order that in protected Islamic monuments assembly of people for Friday prayers is not allowed. But recent trend noted and widely reported is that of forcible congregation of Muslims at some of the historic monuments to offer prayers as in the reported case at the Jamali Kamlai Mosuqe, Qutub MinarQutub Minar
Qutub Minar also Qutb Minar, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Delhi, India. The Qutub Minar is constructed with red sandstone and marble, and is the tallest minaret in India, with a height of 72.5 meters , contains 379 stairs to reach the top, and the diameter of base is 14.3 meters...
mosque and a few others.
Access
MehrauliMehrauli
Mehrauli is a neighbourhood in the South West district of Delhi in India. It represents a constituency in the legislative assembly of Delhi. The area is located close to Gurgaon.-History:...
urban village where the monument is located is approachable from all parts of Delhi by well laid out roads and transport system. The Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport of the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, situated in West Delhi, 16 km southwest of New Delhi city centre. Named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, it is the busiest airport in India in...
is 18 km away and the New Delhi Railway Station
New Delhi Railway Station
The New Delhi Railway Station , station code NDLS, situated between Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj is the main railway station in Delhi. New Delhi railway station is the second busiest and one of the largest in India. It handles over 300 trains each day with 16 platforms and about 360,000 passengers...
and Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nizamuddin Railway Station
Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station is one of the three main railway stations of Delhi, India. Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station connects all the major cities and is being developed to ease congestion on New Delhi Railway Station. Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station is served by Northern Railway....
are respectively 17 km (10.6 mi), and 16 km (9.9 mi) away. Visitors are free to visit the monument on all week days.