DN Darshan: Jama Masjid Gulbarga, Karnataka

dynamitenews.com
New Delhi/ 27 June 2016. Jama Masjid Gulbarga is regarded as one of the best examples of architectural mosques in its form and structure in South Asia.

Dynamite News this time takes you to this architectural mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

History
Muhammad Shah I (r. 1358-75) built the Jama Masjid Gulbarga in 1367 to commemorate Gulbarga as the capital of the Bahmani Sultanate.

It is located with the ramparts of Gulbarga fort and is considered as one of the oldest mosques in South East Asia.

Architecture
The Jama Masjid Gulbarga does not have minarets. Jama Masjid is built inside the fort of Gulbarga with huge domes inside.

Spanish architect constructed it with doorways having arches as that of mosque in Spain.

Instead of having a courtyard, it has 63 small domes in lines in the central area.

The interior of the mosque is the span of arches, which turned out rather appealing and were used in many other Deccan buildings.

The arches here have a very wide span and are support on short imposts. These unconventional 'stretched' arches later became a characteristic of Deccani architecture.

In the west prayer room pillars are painted in white with no decoration. In addition, wide spans of these pillars' supporting large arches create a majestic atmosphere.

Festivals
Muslims from all over the world come here to offer their respect.

Especially during the month of Ramadan it takes on a festive look and it becomes a tourist attraction as well as a place of worship.