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.
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