Ahmad Shah's Tomb, locally known as Badshah no Hajiro or Raja no Hajiro (King's Mausoleum), is a medieval mosque and the group of tombs in
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad ( ), also spelled Amdavad (), is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 ...
, India. Ahmad Shah's tomb is situated close to
Jama Mosque and
Manek Chowk.
History
The mosque has the tomb of
Ahmad Shah I
Ahmad Shah I, born Ahmad Khan, was a ruler of the Muzaffarids (Gujarat), Muzaffarid dynasty, who reigned over the Gujarat Sultanate from 1411 until his death in 1442. He was the grandson of Sultan Muzaffar Shah I, Muzaffar Shah, founder of th ...
, the founder of Ahmedabad in centre. It was completed by his son
Muhammad Shah II
Muizz-ud-Din Muhammad Shah II, born Karim Khan, was a ruler of the Muzaffarid dynasty, who reigned over the Gujarat Sultanate from 1442 to 1451. He expanded and strengthened the Sultanate.
Reign
Ahmad Shah I was succeeded by his generous p ...
(r. 1442–1451) who is buried to his left. His grandson Qutb-ud-Din
Ahmad Shah II
Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II, born Jalal Khan, was a ruler of the Muzaffarids (Gujarat), Muzaffarid dynasty, who reigned over the Gujarat Sultanate from 1451 to 1458. He defeated invading Malwa Sultanate, Malwa forces at the battle of Kapadvanj. ...
(1451–1458) is buried to his right. The tomb of Ahmad Shah's brother is outside of the main chamber. On Ahmad Shah's tomb flowers and ''chadar''s are still offered.
Architecture
The mosque has the main square building with large central dome. There are four chambers at all four corners with smaller domes. The tombs are in centre. The chamber is lit with delicately carved stone screens, (''jaalis'').
Women are not allowed to enter, and men must cover their heads before entering. There are also tombs of a few ministers laid across the road.
''Naubat''
''Naubat'' is a traditional orchestra which announced arrival and departure of the king, welcomed dignitaries, marked beginning of wars and special occasions like birth, death or marriage of Royals. They were also time keepers of the city. ''Naubat'' is still played as a remembrance of Ahmad Shah near the tomb. The ninth generation of ''Naubat'' musicians plays ''
nagara'' and ''
shehnai
The ''shehnai'' is a type of oboe from the Indian subcontinent. It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end. It was one of the nine instruments found in the royal court. The shehnai is sim ...
'' every day at ''Naubat Khana'', a drum room above the entrance of the tomb. They played ''Naubat'' at evening to announce the sunset and at night to announce the closing of the gates of fort during royal times. They are played at 19:30 (or sunset) and 23:00 IST every day. On Thursday and Friday three more ''Naubat''s are played; 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 IST.
Gallery
Image:Tomb of Sultan Ahmed Shah at Ahmedabad India.jpg, ''Badshah no Hajiro'', Tomb of Ahmed Shah
Image:Ahmed Shah Badshah's tomb.jpg, Gate of Tomb
Image:Carving at Ahmed Shah Badshah's tomb.jpg, Lattice work in windows of tomb
Image:Outside ahmedshah tomb another tomb.JPG, Lattice work
Image:Wall Carving in Ahmad Shah Tomb.JPG, Lattice work
Image:Inside ahmedshah tomb.JPG, Tomb
Image:Tomb of Sultan Ahmed Shah.jpg, Pillars and windows
See also
*
Rani no Hajiro
References
{{Ahmedabad topics, status=collapsed
Tombs in Ahmedabad
Mausoleums in Gujarat
Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat
Buildings and structures of the Gujarat Sultanate