The Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb lies within the Archaeological Survey Park in Mehrauli, South of Delhi and west of Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road. After a visit to Balban’s Tomb, you can walk approximately 300 metres south to arrive at this place. De-board at Central Secretariat Metro Station or approach it by hiring a cab or auto rickshaw.
The Jamali Kamali Tomb and Mosque was built in memory of ‘Jamali’, who was a renowned Poet and Sufi Saint. The words Jamali and Kamali originates from the Urdu Language which means ‘Beauty’, a name conferred to Shaikh Fazlu’llah who was also known to many as Jalal Khan or Shaikh Jamali Kamboh. Jamali lived through the reign of Emperor Sikander Lodi up till the reign of Mughal Emperor Humayun and hence became a favourite poet of both these rulers.
Jamali was born to a Sunni merchant family and later was introduced to Sufism by Sheikh Sama-ud-din. He travelled across Asia and Middle East and became one of the most popular Poets during that era. He was also appointed as the Poet in the Imperial Courts of the Lodi Empire and continued through to the Mughal era. Even today, Jamali is known for two of his most famous works named ‘The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics’ and ‘The Sun and Moon’.
During the Mughal reign of Emperor Babar, the construction of the Mosque commenced sometime between 1528 AD and 1529 AD and was completed only after Emperor Humayun became the Ruler of the Mughal Empire. Saint Jamali passed away sometime between 1535 AD and 1536 AD after which the Tomb of Jamali was constructed in his honour and where he was buried with complete respect and Islamic rituals.
The Mosque of Jamali Kamali has a single central dome and is elaborately ornate accompanied with stuccowork depicting a blend of the architectural styles of Moth Ki Masjid and Sher Shah Mosque made of red sandstone and marble ornamentation. As you enter, the Mosque welcomes you through five arched openings of which the central arched opening is higher than the rest and is flanked by a shallow rectangular feature projecting from a wall imitating the form of a column. As you turn towards the western wall, you will notice richly decorated inscriptions from the Holy Book of Quran and a narrow gallery that runs along the walls of the mosque leading to the second storey that reveals three bay or oriel windows. The Front of the Prayer Hall is elaborately decorated with lotus buds pendent below the parapet while the rear corners of the Mosque are dressed with octagonal shaped towers.
Within the same complex and north of the Mosque, you can approach the Tombs of Jamali and Kamali that lies within a huge garden and courtyard. The Tomb has a flat dome and is built in the form of a square chamber measuring 7.6 Sq. Mts. It houses two graves made of marble, one which belongs to Saint Jamali and the other belongs to Kamali whose identity is still unknown even today but may have been associated with Jamali during his lifetime. The square chamber depicts ornate stuccowork and exquisite interior decor while the exterior is dressed in stunning blue coloured tiles engraved with verses composed by Saint Jamali himself.
The Tomb of Jamali Kamali and the Mosque are protected monuments maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the amount of Rs. 15, 00,000 has been funded by the Government to restore and conserve these precious ancient masterpieces. Friday prayers and assembly gatherings have been prohibited within the Mosque in order to protect and conserve whatever is left of these ancient monuments, however, a few of the Muslim communities do force their congregation into these ancient Mosques to offer prayers which includes this Mosque and the famous Mosque within the Qutb Minar Complex in South Delhi.
Tourists and Visitors can visit the Mosque and Tomb of Jamali Kamali on all days from mornings up till evenings with no entry fee including free photography.
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