subject: Witness Ahmedabads Historic Legacy At The Breathtaking Siddi Saiyed Mosque [print this page] Famed as Ahmedabad's signature landmark for centuries since its construction in 1573, the Siddi Saiyed Mosque is also one of the finest examples of Indo-Sarcenic architecture in the world. With wooden replicas of its iconic windows gracing the halls of the museums in New York and Kensington, it is also one of the most revered structures of its kind for its historic and architectural significance. Considered a holy site by all its devotees, this monumental construction of Sultan Ahmed Shah's slave Siddi Saiyed also secures a place of pride in the hearts of Ahmedabad's residents irrespective of faith.
As a structure that was built in the final year of the Sultanate of Gujarat's reign, the noteworthy aspects of the mosque lie primarily in its stonework and panes. The completely arched mosque encompasses a total of ten screen windows or jalis in addition to rear archways. Exquisitely pierced stones cover the twin windows in a style that resembles a palm tree with leaves and curved vines. Each screen is framed by another semicircular window while the carved windows themselves resemble tendrils intricately interweaving on branches of a tree. Called a Siddi Saiyed Jali, these window designs are just one of the highlights within the mosque.
The rear wall of the mosque is also filled with stone panels with geometric apertures carved on to them. The central isle on the other hand features two niches that are flanked by rectangular stone blocks which also feature delicate tree motifs. The foliage on the slabs depicts the popular palm and parasite theme on the Kalpa tree found in Hindu beliefs. Having once been a part of the city's main fortification, the mosque now secures a picturesque location on the river's quarter of Relief Road where it captivates visitors as it has since time immemorial.
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