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THE PIOUS DARGAH
The famous saint, Makhdum Shaikh Ahmed Khattu, a disciple of Baba Ishq
Maghribi of Khattu, settled and died at Sarkhej, about 10 km south-west of
Ahmedabad .
Construction on a 'dargah' and mosque
were begun in 1446, under Mohammad Shah II, and completed in the reign of
Sultan Qutub-Ud-Din Ahmed Shah.
The
'dargah', the largest of its kind in Gujarat, has
a plinth area of 31.70 m, and is roofed by a large dome. It also has
surrounding rows of 13 pillars on each side. The walls are broken up into
two storeys, and perforated stonework of great variety fills up the spaces
above and below the dividing stones. The inner central square is
partitioned by screen walls, perforated in steel and metal, with a door in
similar workmanship.
THE ARCHITECTURE
A porch leads from the 'dargah' into the mosque,
which is to the west. The mosque has a roof of uniform height. Five large
domes in a row, and 40 smaller ones, symmetrically disposed, correspond to
the pillared squares within.
The roof is supported by 120 pillars of the same pattern. The mosque has
an elegant simplicity; the columnar style adopted here appears to be on
purpose, and compares favourably with the arched façade of other
mosques in and around
Ahmedabad .
The ablution tank is situated in an enclosed alley, at half the height of
the roof. Access to the roof is through a porch, in the thickness of the
wall.
The tomb of Sultan Mohmud Begada is also part of the Sarkhej Complex.
Stonework covers the pillars on three sides of the tomb, except for the
east. A balcony window projects into the tank.
THE
DOME
The tomb has a dome of 6.4 m diameter, carried on 12 inner pillars and
containing tombs on raised platforms. This is successively surrounded by a
second and third square of 20 and 28 pillars, respectively. The root has,
besides the main dome, 16 outer, smaller domes.
Sarkhej has an artificial lake, too.
HOW TO GET THERE
Road: Sarkhej, which lies on the outskirts of
Ahmedabad , is
easily accessible by road.
City bus services are available, as well.
For travel
Agents & Tour Operators in Gujarat - Click here