Indo Islamic Heritage
Jama Masjid Gulbarga, also known as the Friday Mosque of Gulbarga, is a significant historical mosque located in the city of Gulbarga, Karnataka, India. Built during the Bahmani Sultanate era, it is known for its unique architectural style that blends Indo-Saracenic and Islamic influences.
The Gulbarga Friday Mosque, built in 1367 by Bahmani Sultan Mohammed Shah I, is an architectural marvel that commemorates the establishment of the capital in Gulbarga following the defeat of Kapaya Nayaka of Warangal. This mosque was designed by the Persian architect Rafi and constructed within the broader Kalaburagi Fort complex. It holds a significant place in history as one of the earliest Friday mosques in South India, playing a key role in the spread of Islamic architecture in the region. The complex was added to UNESCO?s "tentative list" in 2014 for potential designation as a World Heritage Site, alongside other notable sites in the region, under the name "Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate," acknowledging the cultural and architectural significance of the various sultanates in the Deccan region. The mosque's architecture deviates notably from the conventional mosque designs of its time, making it a unique example of Islamic construction in South India. While the basic layout of the mosque follows the traditional courtyard plan, it is distinguished by a striking feature: the central courtyard is covered by sixty-three small domes. This innovative design contrasts with the more common practice of using larger central domes. Additionally, the mosque lacks the typical minarets found in other mosques of the era, replacing them with four larger domes, one at each corner of the mosque. This arrangement adds a sense of symmetry and grandeur to the structure. The outer walls of the mosque also exhibit distinctive features; three of the four walls are open to sunlight, creating a sense of openness and connection to the environment, while the qibla wall is solid and unbroken, which is an unusual characteristic for mosques built in this period. Furthermore, the mosque is noted for its Moorish architectural influences, which it shares with the Mosque?Cathedral of C?rdoba in Spain. This is evident in the aesthetic features of the mosque, such as the design of its arches and the use of multiple domes, both of which are hallmarks of Moorish architecture. These design elements reflect a fusion of Persian and regional architectural styles, creating a distinctive identity for the Gulbarga Friday Mosque that sets it apart from other Islamic structures in South India.
Year of Built: 14th Century
Address: Gulbarga Fort, 585101, Halbarga, Brhampur, Kalaburagi, Karnataka
Country: India
State: Karnataka
District: Gulbarga
Pincode: 585101
Longitude: 78.473416
Latitude: 17.360305