Bhadra & Teen Darwaza: The ancient citadel, the Bhadra, was built by Ahmed Shah in 1411 and later named after the Goddess Bhadra, an incarnation of Kali. It is now used for government offices and is of no particular interest. There is a post office in the former Palace of Azam Khan within the citadel. In front of the citadel stands the triple gateway or Teen Darwaza, from which sultans would watch processions from the palace to the Jami Masjid.
Jama Masjid: The Friday Mosque is beside Gandhi Rd, a short distance down from Teen Darwaza. This large mosque was built in 1424 by Ahmed Shah, the city's founder. There are 260 columns supporting the roof with its 15 cupolas but in the great earthquake of 1819 the two 'shaking' minarets lost half their height and another tremor in 1957 completed the demolition.
Sidi Saiyad's Mosque: This small mosque once formed part of the city wall, it is close to the river end of Relief Rd. Constructed by Sidi Saiyid, a slave of Ahmed Shah, it is noted for its beautiful carved stone windows in which the branches of a tree are intricately intertwined to form the complete window.
Ahmed Shah's Mosque: Dating from 1414 this was one of the earliest mosques in the city and was probably built on the site of a Hindu temple, using parts of that temple in its construction.It is located in the south-west of the Bhadra and the front of the mosque is now a garden.
Rani Rupmati's Mosque: A little north of the centre this mosque was built between 1430 and 1440 and named after the Sultan's Hindu wife. The minarets were partially brought down by the disastrous earthquake of 1819. Note how the dome is elevated to allow light in around its base. The mosque, as so many of Ahmedabad's early mosques, displays elements of Hindu and Islamic design.
Hathee Singh Temple: Just outside the Delhi Gate, to the north of the old city, this is a Jain temple in typical style and, as so often with Jain temples, made of white marble. Built in 1848 the temple is dedicated to Dharamanath, the 15th Jina or Jain apostle.
Kankaria Lake: South-east of the city this artificial lake was constructed in 1451 and has 34 sides, each 60 metres long. It is now a local picnic spot but was once frequented by the Emperor Jehangir and his Empress Nur Jahan. The zoo and children's park by the lake are outstanding. The Ghattamendal pavilion in the centre houses an aquarium.
Sabarmati Ashram: Situated six km from the centre of town, on the west bank of the Sabarmati River, this was Gandhi's headquarters during his long struggle for Indian independence. His ashram was founded in 1918 and still makes handicrafts, hand made paper and spinning wheels. Gandhi's spartan living quarters are preserved as a small museum and there is a pictorial exhibit of the major events in his life
Modhera: The ruined Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some relationship to the later, and far better known, Sun Temple of Konorak in the state of Orissa. like that temple it was designed so that the sun shone on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at dawn at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine is reached through a pillared porch. The exterior of this fine temple is intricately and delicately carved. As at Somnath it was Mahmud of Ghazni who did the ruining.
|
