Bibi Achut Kuki Masjid
Ahmedabad, India
Bibi Achut Kuki Masjid is a complex situated to the north of the old city center of Ahmedabad along the bank of the Sabarmati River. It is a large walled enclosure that comprises a mosque, a tomb, and the surrounding grounds. An inscription over the mihrab of the mosque dates its construction to the year 876 AH (1472 CE). It is named after the wife of a vizier of Sultan Mahmud Begra (Mahmud Shah I), who had the monument constructed in her honor.

The enclosure occupies a square plot of land had at one time ornate outer enclosure walls, which featured carved decoration. The mosque occupies the western portion of the enclosure, and is adjoined on the east by a large open court. The tomb structure is along the northern edge at the center.

The mosque is a rectangular building, closed on three sides and open to the east through three large arches. Framing the central arch on the eastern facade are two large and ornate minarets (discussed below). The arches on the facade lead onto three sections of the prayer hall. The height of the central section rises above that of the outer two. Each of these sections comprises a central domed bay supported by 12 pillars. The areas outside these pillars form ambulatories around the central domed spaces. Smaller domes cover some of the bays over the ambulatories. The dome over the central section of the mosque is ornately carved with concentric rings of ornament. The drum area is open to a clerestory balcony that allows light to stream into the central portion of the prayer hall. At the back of each gallery on the qibla (west) wall is a mihrab. Four windows pierce the qibla wall, and two on each of the side walls. The windows are decorated with jali (carved stone) work.

The minarets flanking the arched portal of the central section are cylindrical inform with tapering shafts. The shafts are divided into sections of varying lengths by ornate cornices. The surfaces of these sections are divided further into registers of vegetal and geometric ornament in a local style.

The tomb structure lies to the northeast of the mosque. It is a square pavilion with a central domed space. The interior is divided into a bay under the dome and a surrounding ambulatory by two sets pillars: the twelve inner pillars surround the central portion under the dome and support the dome itself.

Sources:

Burgess, James. The Muhammadan Architecture of Ahmadabad. Part I - A.D. 1412 to 1520, 64-66. Archaeological Survey of Western India, Vol. 7. London: William Griggs & Sons, 1900. 






Location
Ahmedabad, India
Images & Videos
Associated Names
Events
1472/876 AH
Dimensions
93 x 36.5 ft (area of mosque)
Variant Names
Bibi Acutakuki Masjid
Alternate transliteration
Bibi Achyut Kuki Masjid
Alternate transliteration
Building Usages
religious