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Sarkhej Roza, an important tourist destination is located 10 km towards
the southwest of Ahmedabad. It is a complex comprising of tombs of kings
and priests, mosques, palaces and gardens. Also a famous shrine of the
Muslims in Ahmedabad, it is known for its architecture which is quite
refined and elegant.
The use of pierced stone trellises and complete absence
of arches make this monument a special. The architecture is a mixture
of Islamic stylistic influences inspired from Persia and also Hindu and
Jain architecture to form an Indo-Saracenic architectural style. It is
a mixture of Hindu craftsmanship and Islamic sense of geometry and scale.
The highlight of Sarkhej Roza is that, it offers visitors a glimpses of
the religious, social and royal worlds of bygone era.
Sarkhej was initially a village whose population was mainly
comprised of weavers and indigo-dyers who were predominantly Hindu. Later
Sarkhej became associated with the name of a Sufi Saint Shaikh Ahmed Khattu
Ganj Baksh. The saint was an advisor and religious counselor to Ahmed
Shah, the sultan of Gujarat's ruling Muzaffarid dynasty (He founded Ahmedabad
city). It is believed that the saint in his later years moved to the village
of Sarkhej and lived there till the age of 111 years. He was greatly venerated
during his lifetime and myth has it that the saint was renowned for miraculous
powers. He died in 1445 and upon his death the then King Mohammed Shah
(the son of Ahmed Shah) ordered to built a mausoleum and a mosque in honor
of saint. It was during Sultan Qutbuddin time that the complex was
completed. Later the buildings were renovated by successive rulers and
administrators. A central tank was excavated and a number of pavilions
and a small private mosque also built during that time.
Mehmud Beghara also built a mausoleum for himself and
his family, where his son and his queen Rajabai were buried. Sarkhej Roza
also houses the mausoleums of Mu'assam and Azam, the two brothers who
were responsible for Sarkhej's architecture. Later on a country house
and garden were constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory over Muzaffar
III. Thus this complex holds not just religious significance but it is
also a reminder of Gujarat's socio-political past.
The Sarkhej Roza complex constitutes a fine demonstration
planning where the religious, royal and social worlds unites without losing
their calm and identity. It can be divided into three realms like religious
realm, social realm and royal realm. The Religious realm contains mausoleum
of the saint and a mosque with cloistered court, the Social realm contains
a huge tank, pavilions, steps etc and the Royal realm contains royal tombs
and palaces.
The royal tombs and the palaces are reminiscent of the
grandeur of the past of sultan's and maharaja's. The architecture of the
palaces is grand and their layout is simple and does not overshadow the
tranquility of the serene surroundings of the mosque and mausoleums. It
is located on the border of the complex. People are gathered during
festivals and special prayer days at the pavilion, platforms and tank
area of the complex.
When pass through the entrance, one can get a view of
the majestic mausoleum of Mahmud Begara to the right beside the tank and
the Royal tombs to the left. The tomb of Sultan Mehmud Begada sprawls
over a huge area of 140 ft and it is considered as one of the largest
and most elegantly designed mausoleums in India. The lattice work in stone
creates a wonderful play of light. Connected to his tomb, is the tomb
of his queen, Rajabai and other queens. Also near to the tank is the Tomb
of the Saint. The main feature of this is, it's large dome supported by
a range of thirteen pillars on each side. It gives its visitors a concentrated
and peaceful atmosphere. The mosque which lies beyond this has a spacious
courtyard and multi-domed prayer halls and colonnades.
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