Editing Moth ki Mosque
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{{Short description|Mosque in Delhi, India}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} |
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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}} |
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}} |
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{{Infobox religious building |
{{Infobox religious building |
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|building_name = Moth ki |
|building_name = Moth ki Masjid |
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|image= The North side view of the Moth Ki Masjid.JPG |
|image= The North side view of the Moth Ki Masjid.JPG |
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|caption= |
|caption= Moth Ki Masjid |
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|location= [[New Delhi]] |
|location={{Flagicon|India}} [[New Delhi]] |
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| map_type =India Delhi#India |
| map_type =India Delhi#India |
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|country = [[India]] |
|country = [[India]] |
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|district= [[New Delhi]] |
|district= [[New Delhi]] |
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|consecration_year= 16th century |
|consecration_year= 16th century |
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|status= |
|status= Mosque |
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|leadership= [[Lodi dynasty|Lodi]] period |
|leadership= [[Lodi dynasty|Lodi]] period |
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|website= |
|website= |
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|architect= Miyan Bhuiya |
|architect= Miyan Bhuiya |
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|architecture_type= |
|architecture_type=Mosque |
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|architecture_style=Medieval Indo Islamic architecture |
|architecture_style=Medieval Indo Islamic architecture |
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|facade_direction= |
|facade_direction= |
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'''Moth |
'''Moth Ki Masjid''' ({{IPA|moʈʰ kiː masdʒɪd}}) is a heritage building located in Delhi, and was built in 1505 by [[Vizier|Wazir]] Miya Bhoiya, [[Prime Minister]] during the reign of [[Sikander Lodi]] (1489–1517) of the [[Lodi dynasty]]. It was a new type of mosque developed by the Lodis in the fourth city of the medieval [[Delhi]] of the [[Delhi Sultanate]].<ref name=ram>{{Cite book|author=Shiri Ram Bakshi|title= Delhi Through Ages|work=The Moth-ki-Masjid|pages=70–71|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rrdm_XMAiIYC&pg=PA71&dq=Masjid+Moth#PPA70,M|publisher= Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd.|year=1995|isbn=9788174881380}}</ref><ref name=khamba>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=3ctLNvx68hIC&pg=PA141&lpg=PA141&dq=Chausath+Khamba#PPA142,M1|title= The new Cambridge history of India|access-date=2009-04-10|page=10|author= Geraldine Forbes|author2=Gordon Johnson |author3=B. R. Tomlinson |author4=Stewart Gordon |author5=Catherine Ella Blanshard Asher |year=1992|publisher= Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521267281}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author= Ahmad Nabi Khan|title= Islamic architecture in South Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh|page=94|access-date=2009-04-26|url=https://books.google.com/?id=r2tQAAAAMAAJ&q=Moth-ki-Masjid&dq=Moth-ki-Masjid|publisher= Oxford University Press|year=2003|isbn=<!--0-19-579065-0, -->9780195790658|quote= Among them the most notable is the Moth Ki Masjid which was built by the Prime Minister of Sikanader Lodi in 1505}}</ref> The name of the mosque literally translated into English language means ‘Lentil Mosque’ and this name tag ‘Lentil’ has an interesting legend. This mosque was considered a beautiful [[Dome]] (Gumbad) structure of the period.<ref name=ram/> |
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The mosque is now completely enclosed within the modern locality of [[South Extension]] Part II, Uday Park and Masjid Moth comprising residential and commercial establishments in the urban setting of South Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantemplesportal.com/delhi/moth-ki-masjid-delhi.html|title=Indian temples|access-date=2009-04-26}}</ref> |
The mosque is now completely enclosed within the modern locality of [[South Extension]] Part II, Uday Park and Masjid Moth comprising residential and commercial establishments in the urban setting of South Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantemplesportal.com/delhi/moth-ki-masjid-delhi.html|title=Indian temples|access-date=2009-04-26}}</ref> |
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It is surrounded by various other smaller dargahs and monuments that may be found peppered within the nooks of this urban village. |
It is surrounded by various other smaller dargahs and monuments that may be found peppered within the nooks of this urban village. |
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The local representative in collaboration with residents is now trying to revive the monument.{{fact|date=February 2019}} |
The local representative in collaboration with residents is now trying to revive the monument.{{fact|date=February 2019}} |
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==Legend== |
==Legend== |
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It is famously narrated that when [[Sultan]] [[Sikandar Lodi]] was on a visit to a mosque in the vicinity of the present location of the Moth Ki Masjid for prayer, he knelt over a grain of moth (a kind of [[lentil]]), which had been dropped by a bird. His loyal Prime Minister Wazir Miya Bhoiya, who had accompanied the King, saw the lentil seed and observed that <blockquote>A seed so honoured by His majesty must not be thrown away. It must be used in the service of God.</blockquote> |
It is famously narrated that when [[Sultan]] [[Sikandar Lodi]] was on a visit to a mosque in the vicinity of the present location of the Moth Ki Masjid for prayer, he knelt over a grain of moth (a kind of [[lentil]]), which had been dropped by a bird. His loyal Prime Minister Wazir Miya Bhoiya, who had accompanied the King, saw the lentil seed and observed that <blockquote>A seed so honoured by His majesty must not be thrown away. It must be used in the service of God.</blockquote> |
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So he took the moth seed and planted it in his garden for further growth. Over the years, the process of repeated planting and replanting of the moth seeds was carried out. In this process, the seeds multiplied several times. The [[Vizier|Wazir]] finally sold the rich harvest and earned good money. With the proceeds of the sale he built the mosque after seeking permission from the [[Sultan]] to construct the Mosque.<ref name= |
So he took the moth seed and planted it in his garden for further growth. Over the years, the process of repeated planting and replanting of the moth seeds was carried out. In this process, the seeds multiplied several times. The [[Vizier|Wazir]] finally sold the rich harvest and earned good money. With the proceeds of the sale he built the mosque after seeking permission from the [[Sultan]] to construct the Mosque.<ref name=ram/> Impressed by the ingenuity of his minister, Sikandar Lodi laid the foundation for building the mosque.<ref name=shaan>{{Cite web|url=http://outstandingindia.blogspot.com/2009/02/dilli-ki-shaan.html|title=Dilli Ki Shaan :Moth Ki Masjid |access-date=2009-04-26}}</ref> |
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Another version of the legend is that Sikandar Lodhi on one of his visits to the area played a prank on his Prime Minister by giving him a gift of a grain of moth (lentil). The Wazir accepted the gift in good grace and instead of throwing it away planted it in his garden. Over the years repeated plantation resulted in a rich harvest that provided a surplus income to the Wazir. Thereafter, the wazir, with the revenue earned from the lentil grains, decided to build a mosque. On completion, he invited the Sultan to visit the mosque and narrated the sequence of events which led to the building of the mosque. Impressed by this unique achievement, the Lodi named the mosque as "Moth Ki Masjid" or the Mosque from the Moth Lentil.<ref name= |
Another version of the legend is that Sikandar Lodhi on one of his visits to the area played a prank on his Prime Minister by giving him a gift of a grain of moth (lentil). The Wazir accepted the gift in good grace and instead of throwing it away planted it in his garden. Over the years repeated plantation resulted in a rich harvest that provided a surplus income to the Wazir. Thereafter, the wazir, with the revenue earned from the lentil grains, decided to build a mosque. On completion, he invited the Sultan to visit the mosque and narrated the sequence of events which led to the building of the mosque. Impressed by this unique achievement, the Lodi named the mosque as "Moth Ki Masjid" or the Mosque from the Moth Lentil.<ref name=delhi>{{Cite web|url=http://www.delhilive.com/page/moth-ki-masjid-or-masjid-moth-200801212117|title=Moth ki Masjid or Masjid Moth|access-date=2009-04-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522112630/http://www.delhilive.com/page/moth-ki-masjid-or-masjid-moth-200801212117|archive-date=2009-05-22}}</ref> |
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==Structure== |
==Structure== |
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[[File:Outer wall of Moth Ki Masjid with tower.JPG|thumb|left|150px|Outer wall of the Masjid]] |
[[File:Outer wall of Moth Ki Masjid with tower.JPG|thumb|left|150px|Outer wall of the Masjid]] |
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Raised on a high plinth, the mosque has a square layout. It is approached from the eastern side street of village Moti Masjid, through an exquisitely designed gate made of red, blue, black and white coloured [[sandstones]] arranged in a neat design (see picture). In particular, the arch of the gateway has a [[Hindu]] [[arch]] within a [[Muslim]] arch.<ref name= |
Raised on a high plinth, the mosque has a square layout. It is approached from the eastern side street of village Moti Masjid, through an exquisitely designed gate made of red, blue, black and white coloured [[sandstones]] arranged in a neat design (see picture). In particular, the arch of the gateway has a [[Hindu]] [[arch]] within a [[Muslim]] arch.<ref name=ram/><ref name=indify>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indfy.com/places-to-see-in-delhi/south-delhi/moth-ki-masjid.html|title= Moth-ki-Masjid|access-date=2009-04-26}}</ref> |
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Up the gateway steps, the entry is into a large courtyard of {{convert|38.6|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} width surrounded by walls. Within the courtyard, on the western side is the main shrine or the mosque with the rectangular prayer hall porch, which has a façade of five arched openings. The corners of the rectangular prayer hall are adorned with double storied towers. The towers have arched openings at the rear end of the roof with domed octagonal [[chhatris]] (the Cenotophs) on the related walls. The west side wall is provided with tapering [[ |
Up the gateway steps, the entry is into a large courtyard of {{convert|38.6|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} width surrounded by walls. Within the courtyard, on the western side is the main shrine or the mosque with the rectangular prayer hall porch, which has a façade of five arched openings. The corners of the rectangular prayer hall are adorned with double storied towers. The towers have arched openings at the rear end of the roof with domed octagonal [[chhatris]] (the Cenotophs) on the related walls. The west side wall is provided with tapering [[turrets]] that depict a sophisticated outline (pictured). |
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The Cenotophs were the first of its kind to be built in India and since then these have been replicated in several other monuments, even in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]]. There are three impressive domes inside the prayer hall with the [[Mihrab]] located on the west [[qibla]] wall of the central dome, which is the largest of the three domes. The Mihrab depicts [[Quranic]] inscriptions in flora Nakashi in [[Iran]]ian design. Turrets project out of the qibla. The central dome is supported on [[squinches]]. The domes on both flanks are borne on [[muqarnas]] [[pendentives]]. Carved panels of red sandstone and white [[marble]] and plaster, as well as glazed tiles embellish the walls of the mosque. The overall effect of the Mosque has been best described as:<blockquote> |
The Cenotophs were the first of its kind to be built in India and since then these have been replicated in several other monuments, even in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]]. There are three impressive domes inside the prayer hall with the [[Mihrab]] located on the west [[qibla]] wall of the central dome, which is the largest of the three domes. The Mihrab depicts [[Quranic]] inscriptions in flora Nakashi in [[Iran]]ian design. Turrets project out of the qibla. The central dome is supported on [[squinches]]. The domes on both flanks are borne on [[muqarnas]] [[pendentives]]. Carved panels of red sandstone and white [[marble]] and plaster, as well as glazed tiles embellish the walls of the mosque. The overall effect of the Mosque has been best described as:<blockquote>epitomizes in itself all that is best in Architecture of the Lodis and displays a freedom of imagination, a bold diversity of design, an appreciation of contrasting light and shade and a sense of harmony in line and colour, which combine to make it one of the most spirited and picturesque buildings of its kind in the whole range of Islamic art.<ref name=indify/><ref name=history>{{Cite book|author= M H Syed|title= History of Delhi Sultanate|access-date=2009-04-26|page=413|publisher= Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd.|year=2004|url=https://books.google.com/?id=x3yUCbgjKawC&pg=PA413&lpg=PA413&dq=Dimensions+of+Moth+Ki+Masjid|isbn=9788126118304}}</ref><ref name=arch>{{Cite web|url=http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=2201|title=Moth-ki Mosque|access-date=2009-04-26|publisher=Arch Net Digital library|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503084714/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=2201|archive-date=2012-05-03}}</ref></blockquote> |
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It is also said that it was the private mosque of the builder.<ref name= |
It is also said that it was the private mosque of the builder.<ref name=shaan/><ref name=hotel>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hotels-new-delhi.com/tourist-attractions/masjid-moth.html|title= Masjid Moth|access-date=2009-04-25}}</ref> |
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[[File:View of five towerredd passage inside the Mosque.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Five towered passage in the Mosque]] |
[[File:View of five towerredd passage inside the Mosque.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Five towered passage in the Mosque]] |
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An unusual feature of this mosque built in Indo–Islamic style of architecture is that it has an austere design with no minarets, calligraphic decorations and embellishments, which are otherwise traditional features of mosques. The dome is semicircular and windows have latticework screens.<ref name= |
An unusual feature of this mosque built in Indo–Islamic style of architecture is that it has an austere design with no minarets, calligraphic decorations and embellishments, which are otherwise traditional features of mosques. The dome is semicircular and windows have latticework screens.<ref name=lentil>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharatonline.com/delhi/religious-places/mosques/moth-ki-masjid.html |title=Moth ki Masjid |access-date=2009-04-25 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221045913/http://www.bharatonline.com/delhi/religious-places/mosques/moth-ki-masjid.html |archive-date=2009-02-21 }}</ref> An architectural appreciation of the structure vis-à-vis the five arched façade of domes of the period aptly infers:<ref name=boloji>{{Cite web|url=http://www.boloji.com/architecture/00021a.htm |title=The End of the Delhi Sultanate – 2 |access-date=2009-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516220330/http://www.boloji.com/architecture/00021a.htm |archive-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref><blockquote>the rapid crystallization of the earlier concept. Firstly, it is considerably larger than its predecessor. Secondly, the articulation of the recessed arches is far more adept. Thirdly, embellishment has been done using elegant niches on the columns abutting the arches. Another important feature is the use of better material and color, as if the masons were trying for something more permanent and forceful.</blockquote> |
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==Visitor information== |
==Visitor information== |
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The monument is located in [[South Delhi]] and is well connected by road. Delhi International Airport is {{convert|21|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} away. There are no visitor charges and is open on all days from sunrise to sun set.<ref name="indify" |
The monument is located in [[South Delhi]] and is well connected by road. Delhi International Airport is {{convert|21|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} away. There are no visitor charges and is open on all days from sunrise to sun set.<ref name="indify"/> There are several tourist attractions in the neighborhood of the Mosque, such as the [[Hauz Khas]], Siri Fort, [[Kalkaji]] Temple, [[Lotus Temple]], [[Nizamuddin Auliya]] and Chirag Dehlvi's Dargah. |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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File:Double storyed corner tower of Moth Ki Masjid.JPG|Beautiful double |
File:Double storyed corner tower of Moth Ki Masjid.JPG|Beautiful double storyed corner tower of the [[Masjid]] |
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File:The Mihrab below the big dome of Moth Ki Masjid.JPG|[[Mihrab]] below the main [[dome]] of the [[Mosque]] |
File:The Mihrab below the big dome of Moth Ki Masjid.JPG|[[Mihrab]] below the main [[dome]] of the [[Mosque]] |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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{{commons category}} |
{{commons category}} |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{Delhi}} |
{{Delhi}} |
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{{Mosques in India}} |
{{Mosques in India}} |
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[[Category:Architecture of the Lodi dynasty]] |
[[Category:Architecture of the Lodi dynasty]] |
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[[Category:Mosques completed in the 1500s]] |
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[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1505]] |
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1505]] |
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[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]] |
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[[Category:16th-century mosques in India]] |
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[[Category:Mosque buildings with domes in India]] |