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Being a fertile region, central Gujarat was coveted by many rulers,
and the Solanki Rajputs built a fabulous walled complex at Dabhoi
to protect their interests in this region. The highlight of this
Hindu fortress is the Hira gate, with its fabulous array of stone
carvings and projecting decorations. Pawagadh fort, a Chauhan Rajput
stronghold, sits high on a 822 meter high hill.
After several
unsuccessul attempts to take the fort by direct assault, Sultan
Muhammad Bhegada set up an impressive complex of Champaner in the
plains with a view of the hilltop fort and finally took Pawagadh
by seige. Champaner has the majestic Jumma Masjid and other imposing
mosques of the 15th and 16th centuries, rated among the finest examples
of the Indo-Saracenic architecture that had its roots in 14th century
Cambay and Dholka, and grew to prominence under the 15th century
Sultan Ahmed Shah. The capital of Ahmed Shah was Ahmedabad, a walled
city founded by sultan Ahmed Shah in phases from 1411 to 1414 AD.
The Jumma Masjid of Ahmedabad, which has a spacious marble paved
courtyard, and a facade with a central arch screen, flanked by a
pillared portico, and bands of Maqbara at Junagad intricate carvings
and friezes rising to the rooftoj Domes are organised in rows on
the ceiling. The mai hall has slim pillars, perforated arch screens,
gallerie and an intricate screened zanana for women. Othe 15th and
16th century Indo-Saracenic mosques an| monuments of Ahmedabad are
tombs of the Suite and his begums, the Dastur Khan mosque, Rar Rupmati
mosque, the Bibi ka Masjid and the Sic Bashir mosque, the last two
of which have extar shaking minarets. A unique mosque is the 16th
centur Sidi Syaid Masjid, whose delicate perforated screens ensuring
a gentle lighting effect during the day tim{ prayer hours, have
become enduring symbols Ahmedabad. The best of these screens or
Jalis, is t one depicting an intertwining tree.
The Mughals conquered
Ahmedabad in the 1 century, it briefly passed to the Marathas and
finall) the British made it a province, each phase saw the addition
of buildings. The merchants of Ahmedabac dwelt in wooden mansions,
called the Haveli, se\ along alleys called pols. A CRUTA organisec
morning walking tour of Ahmedabad introduces visitors to different
phases of historic architecture ofj the walled city from 15th century
Indo-Saracenic mosques to more recent wooden haveils.
