Summary: Against the turbulence of the uncertain period, a partnership develops with the silent massive structure of the Begumpur Mosque seen in the frame of a tree. We both are witnesses reflecting in the silence of the lockdown the unfolding crisis before our eyes. The article explores the historical and experiential interaction with 15thc Mosque. (Follow on Twitter and Instagram: @navinajafa)
Sitting in my verandah, the gloom of the pandemic permeates the surroundings. A perception captures my imagination. It is the tree-framed vision of the domes of the 15thc Begumpuri Masjid. My occasional visit to the mosque is through the massive Eastern entry gate from the congested road amidst the Begumpur village. The gate opens into a massive courtyard surrounded by domed galleries.
Heritage of Linguistic Toponym: The linguistic vocabulary defining the cultural geography of a city is called Toponym. Names of places and locations provide uniqueness to a city. It reflects layers of human settlements, patterns of human movements and explorations. The word Begumpur evolves from the Persian- Arabic vocabulary and lends itself both to the locality and the heritage building. Begum- Pur – A high ranked woman’s fortified city. The Toponym of Begumpur mirrors overlays of the civilizational landscapes that have moved into the present.
Experiencing the Building: Made of austere rubble masonry, the mosque illustrates a sacred quality from all directions. It aligns itself to the intermittent calls of prayers throughout the day. The slanting buttressed walls and their monochromatic texture produces a dramatic experience of their surfaces dialoguing with light.
Features:
- Pylon or Bratmukhi: The gates are featured by pylons which are tapering towers on the sides of the Gate.
- The 64 Mini Domes: They line the roof of the galleries around the mosque and play a role in providing good acoustics. This feature links the mosque with other examples such as the Jami Masjid in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh and the Ottoman’s Sultan Bayezid II Mosque Complex in Edrine – Turkey.
Reflections in COVID-19 Lockdown: Against the turbulence of the uncertain period, a partnership develops with the silent massive structure of the Begumpuri Mosque seen in the frame of a tree. We both are witnesses reflecting in the silence of the lockdown the unfolding crisis before our eyes. The humongous revenge of Nature in the form of this pandemic against which is slated the impervious arrogant, unbending, unethical greed to the human species. The hypnosis of power blinding, the sheer inability to accept his puny stature. It seems the opaque vision as it blurs in the sunset the chirping birds laugh an ironical surrealist song.
Specifications:
Type of Mosque: Congregational
Period: 15thc
Builder: According to renowned scholar Catherine Asher it was built by Muhammad Shah Tughlaq, son of Firoz Shah. However, it is popularly attributed to Firoz Shah Tughlaq and his prime minister.
Location: Historical city of Jahanpanah
Contemporary Geographical Location: Between Malviya Nagar, Sarvapriya Vihar and Sarvodaya Enclave.
TRAVEL, DANCE, ART, CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA - DR NAVINA JAFA 