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Indian Religions: Muslim Shrines: Jamali Kamali Masjid




JAMALI KAMALI MASJID

Jamali Kamali

Further down is the Jamali Kamali masjid and tomb, which has recently been renovated by INTACH, an autonomous cultural organization. Jamali was the alias of the Sufi saint Shaikh Fazlullah, who was also known as Jalal Khan. The saint had a prodigious life - he lived right through Sikander Lodi's reign, the famous battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur and died during the lifetime of Humayun. Who Kamali was remains a tantalizing mystery. The tomb and mosque bearing their names lie within yards of each other. They were started in Babur's time in about 1528 and finished in Humayun's reign by 1535-36. Stylistically, the mosque reflects a transition period in Indian architecture, from the Madhi Masjid to the Qila-i-Kuhna mosque.

The tomb lies immediately behind the mosque and is a smallish chamber. Small but not humble. Upon entering it your eye is immediately caught by the richly ornamented ceiling and walls. They are covered with tiles of various hues and patterns in incised and painted plaster. Several verses compose by Jamali are also inscribed on the walls. The beautiful and spruce lawns of Jamali Kamali make it a popular picnic spot for Delhites.