Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

23°01′37″N 72°34′52″E / 23.02694°N 72.58111°E / 23.02694; 72.58111ArchitectureTypeMosqueCreatorSidi SaiyyidGroundbreaking1572Completed1573

The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, popularly known as Sidi Saiyyid ni Jali locally, built in 1572–73 AD (Hijri year 980), is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad, a city in the state of Gujarat, India. The mosque was built by Sidi Sayyad, a Habshi nobleman, in 1572–73.

History

The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, popularly known as Sidi Saiyyid ki/ni Jali locally, built in 1572-73 AD (Hijri year 980), is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad, a city in the state of Gujarat, India. As attested by the marble tablet fixed on the wall of the mosque, it was built by Shaikh Sa'id Al-Habshi Sultani. Sidi Sa'id was originally a slave of Rumi Khan, a Turkish general who had come to Gujarat from Yemen, bringing along with him his Habshi slaves. Sidi Sa'id later served Sultan Mahmud III, and upon his death, joined the Abyssinian general Jhujhar Khan. Upon Sidi Sa'id's retirement from military service, Jhujhar Khan granted him a jagir. Sidi Sa'id over his career became a prominent nobleman: he collected a library, owned over a hundred slaves, performed the Hajj pilgrimage, and instituted a langar (public kitchen). Previously at the site there was a smaller brick mosque, which was rebuilt by Sidi Sa'id, and he was buried near the mosque when he died in 1576.^[1][2] The mosque was built in the last year of the existence of Gujarat Sultanate.^[1]

During the British colonial period, it served as an office or kachery for the Mamlatdar of Dascrohi taluka. During its time as an office, doors were installed, the mihrabs were converted into presses, and the interior was whitewashed. During an official visit to Ahmadabad, Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, ordered the Mamlatdar's office to vacate the premises, as part of his wider policies of preserving historic monuments.^[2]

Architecture

The mosque is entirely arcuated and is known for its ten intricately carved stone latticework windows (jalis) on the side and rear arches. The rear wall is filled with square stone pierced panels in geometrical designs. The two bays flanking the central aisle have reticulated stone slabs carved in designs of intertwined trees and foliage and a palm motif. This intricately carved lattice stone window is the Sidi Saiyyed Jali, the unofficial symbol of city of Ahmedabad and the inspiration for the design of the logo of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.^[3]

The central window arch of the mosque, where one would expect to see another intricate jali, is instead walled with stone.^[4] This is possibly because the mosque was not completed according to plan before the Mughals invaded Gujarat.^[4][2]

Gallery

• 
  Front view of Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
• 
  The marble screen from the outside.
• 
  Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
• 
  Plaque at Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

See also

• Imamshah Bawa Dargah

References

HistoryGeographyAdministrationInstitutes

Science & research	Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association Physical Research Laboratory Space Applications Centre Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre
Educational	Universities Ahmedabad University CEPT University Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Gujarat Technological University Gujarat University Gujarat Vidyapith IITRAM Indus University (Gujarat) Nirma University of Science & Technology CoE Ahmedabad Management Association Indian Institute of Management Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad National Institute of Design National Institute of Fashion Technology Others AMC Dental College AMC Medical College B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad B.K. School of Business Management EDII Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering SAL Institute Udgam School For Children M. J. Library
Cultural	Darpana Academy of Performing Arts Gujarat Sahitya Sabha Gujarat Vidhya Sabha Gujarati Sahitya Parishad Natmandal Saptak School of Music
Healthcare	SVP Hospital Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Gujarat Cancer Research Institute Sterling Hospitals

EconomyTransport

Centres	Ahmedabad Railway Station Maninagar Railway Station Sabarmati Junction Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
Services	AMTS BRTS Janmarg Metro Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor Suburban railway (proposed)
Roads and bridges	Ashram Road C G Road Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway Sardar Patel Ring Road NE 1 NH 8 Ellis Bridge Nehru Bridge Subhash Bridge

Sports

Venues	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave Narendra Modi Stadium Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium Mithakhali Multi Sports Complex EKA Arena
Teams	ARA FC Gujarat Giants Ahmedabad Rockets (defunct) Ahmedabad Smash Masters (defunct)
Games	Gujarat Kensville Challenge Sabarmati Marathon (defunct)

Zones and wards

Central	Shahpur Dariapur Jamalpur Khadia Asarwa Shahibaug
East	Gomtipur Odhav Vastral Bhaipura-Hatkeshwar Amraiwadi Ramol- Hathijan Nikol Viratnagar
North	Bapunagar India Colony Thakkar Bapanagar Saraspur Sardarnagar Naroda Kubernagar Saijpur Bogha
Northwest	Gota Chandlodiya Ghatlodiya Thaltej Bodakdev
South	Behrampura Indrapuri Khokhra Maninagar Danilimda Lambha Isanpur Vatva
Southwest	Sarkhej Jodhpur Vejalpur Maktampura
West	Ranip Chandkheda-Motera Sabarmati Naranpura Nava Vadaj S. P. Stadium Navrangpura Paldi Vasna

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