Indo Islamic Heritage
The Shahi Eidgah Rapri (also known as Shahi Idgah or Shahi ʿIdgah) is a significant historical Islamic site in Uttar Pradesh, India. It serves as an open-air prayer hall (eidgah) primarily used for Eid prayers and stands as a remarkable example of early Delhi Sultanate architecture.
The Shahi Eidgah at Rapri, situated in the Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh, represents a pivotal chapter in the history of Islamic architecture in India during the Delhi Sultanate. Erected in 1312 CE under the patronage of Malik Kafur—the trusted military commander and vizier of Sultan Alauddin Khalji—this open-air eidgah was designed as a spacious enclosure for communal Eid prayers, typical of early Islamic public worship spaces in the subcontinent. Rapri (historically an important town during the Sultanate period) became a site of architectural innovation through this structure. The eidgah's most distinctive feature is its exceptional decoration with turquoise-glazed tiles, which constitute the oldest surviving example of glazed tilework in India still in its original position. This technique, likely influenced by Persian and Central Asian traditions introduced during the Khalji era, adds vibrant color and artistic sophistication to the otherwise austere design of early Sultanate monuments. The structure includes a central mihrab (prayer niche) and surrounding walls, reflecting functional simplicity combined with emerging decorative elements that would influence later Mughal architecture. Though located amid agricultural fields and relatively off the mainstream tourist circuit, the Shahi Eidgah remains surprisingly well-preserved, offering a glimpse into the early spread of Islamic building practices in northern India. It stands as a testament to the cultural and religious integration of the period, serving local Muslim communities for Eid celebrations for over seven centuries.
Year of Built: 1312
Address: XH8V+67M, Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh 283141
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Firozabad
Pincode: 283141
Longitude: 78.3667°E
Latitude: 27.0667°N