Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Ahmedabad | Timings, Images, History

Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Ahmedabad Overview

Popularly known as Sidi Saiyyed Ni Jaali, the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque was built in the year 1573 and is one of the most popular and beautiful mosques located in Ahmedabad. This attraction has gained much admiration and reputation over the years, thanks to the architectural grandeur of the entire structure, and in particular, the ornate latticework, known as jali in colloquial terms. It is then no doubt that the place is a paradise for photographers and history buffs alike.

This monument is among the last few mosques that were built under the Gujarat Sultanate and was completed in the last year of their reign before the Mughals invaded Gujarat and defeated them. The construction of this fantastic mosque is credited to Sidi Saiyyed in the retinue of Bilal Jhajar Khan, the general in the army of the last Sultan, Shams-Ud-Din Muzaffar Shah III, of the Gujarat Sultanate. The mosque is especially famous for its beautiful ten stone latticework windows, also known as Jalis, on the side and rear arches. The stone slabs are carved in the designs of intertwined trees and foliage with a palm motif.

Jalis At Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

There are eight arched windows in all at the mosque, all of which are adorned with intricately carved jalis, which have majestic floral designs all over them. The stone slabs are designed in the form of trees, which according to the Hindu motifs are the Kalpa tree. This gives it the look of a palm with parasite motifs. The Sidi Saiyyed mosque is famous for its ten carved semicircular tympani windows having elegant tracery in the form of tree stems and branches. Each of the traced structure is 3 meters wide and 2 meters high.

The central window arch of the mosque, where the visitor would expect to find yet another intricately carved jali, is instead walled with stone. Historians believe that this is because the mosque could not be completed according to the original plan since the Mughals invaded Gujarat and the process had to be abandoned midway. Coming back to the stunning existing Jalis at the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, it is believed that 45 craftsmen in all had to work on these jalis day in and day out to finish them on time.

History of Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

The Gujarat Sultanate is reputed to have built some of the most amazing Islamic structures, not only in Ahmedabad but the entire state of Gujarat; and the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is one of them. This mosque was completed in the last year of their rule and was built in the year 1572 to 1573 by Sidi Saiyyed, who had come to Gujarat from Yemen and served Sultan Nasir-Ud-Din Madmud III.

Sidi Saiyyed is also famous for being a nobleman who empathised with the poor and helped them. Under the British rule, the mosque began to be used as a government office. Presently, the monument is under the purview of Archaeological Survey of India.

Architecture of Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

The mosques built in this era are so amazing regarding architectural finesse that they beat some of the best monuments in the country, and in fact, the entire world. Even though the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is smaller than the Jama Masjid, it is remarkable regarding the craftsmanship portrayed in its construction.

With the passage of time, these intricate work and carvings have become an unofficial symbol of the city of Ahmedabad. At the same time, the mosque serves as a memory of the time when Gujarat dwelled happily and prospered under the rule of the Muslims. In fact, the design for the logo of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, also seeks inspiration from this Sidi Saiyyed Jali. Earlier, the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque was used as a government office during the British Rule, but now is under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is reputed as a significant tourist attraction in the country that is visited by tourists all year round.

The entire structure is built in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. Yellow sandstone was used by the craftsmen for the construction of this grand religious place. Two minarets formerly existed in the front of the mosque, but have fallen over time. Their base, nevertheless, still exists. The back wall of the mosque is full of Jalis. The ablution pond is smaller than that of Jama Masjid but still manages to provide excellent opportunities to click some incredible photographs. The mosque has acquired the worldwide name because of its beauty and is considered as the most prominent shrine for Muslims in Ahmedabad.

Best Time To Visit Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

Without any second opinion, the best time to visit the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is between November and February in the winter months.

Tips For Visiting Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

1. Visitors are advised not to attend the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque on Fridays, the day of the mass prayer since there is a lot of crowd in the mosque on that day.
2. You must leave your footwear before you enter the main mosque.