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Kevada Mosque | |
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Religion | |
Affiliation | Islam (former) |
Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque (former) |
Status |
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Location | |
Location | Champaner, Panchmahal, Gujarat |
Country | India |
Location of the mosque in Gujarat | |
Geographic coordinates | 22°29′09″N 73°32′14″E / 22.4859°N 73.5371°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Mosque architecture |
Style | |
Funded by | Mahmud Begada |
Completed | 15th century |
Specifications | |
Dome(s) | Five |
Minaret(s) | Two |
Materials | Rubble masonry |
Official name | Kevada Mosque and Canatoph of Kevda Masjid |
Reference no. | N-GJ-93 and 95 |
Official name | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park |
Criteria | Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) |
Designated | 2004 |
Reference no. | 1101 |
The Kevada Mosque (also Kewda or Kevda) is a former mosque, now a heritage site, in Champaner, in the state of Gujarat, India. The mosque and its cenotaph are Monuments of National Importance,[1] and, together with other structures, are part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are among the 114 monuments there which are listed by the Baroda Heritage Trust.[2] The mosque has minarets, globe-like domes, and narrow stairs.[3] According to Ruggles (2008), the "built temple reified natural form" and nature was integrated into the Kevada mosque's architecture in a way that was unusual elsewhere in the Islamic world.[4] Many temples in India were demolished to build mosques.[citation needed]
The mosque was built in Champaner during the time of Mahmud Begada, as were several other mosques within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, including the Bawaman, Jama, Lila Gumbaj Ki, and Nagina mosques, and the Ek Minar, Khajuri, and Shahar Ki mosques.[5] After James Burgess and Henry Cousens wrote descriptions of the Kevada, Jama, and Nagina Mosques, roads were built to reach them.[6] The Kevada is notable because of its mausoleum. The Kathra Mosque is west of the Kevada.[7]
The mosque has many intricately carved mihrabs. There is a damaged brick tank for ablutions before prayers are offered at the mosque. The centotaph, located next to the tank, is square in shape with a fluted central dome and four corner domes. The layout of the mosque is rectangular. Floral and geometrical designs adorn the niches. The tribate[spelling?] inter-columns are considered attractive. The prayer hall, a double-storied structure, had three domes, but the central dome has since disappeared. The windows have balconies built over pillars with intricate carved decorations. There are two minarets, which are also decorated with intricate carvings.[8][9][10] Restoration works were carried out in the 1890s.[11]
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reports of 2006 indicate that extensive restoration works were carried out at the Kevada Mosque and also at many other monuments in Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, the Jami Mosque, fort walls, Bawana Mosque, Lila Gubaz, Sikandar Shah Tomb and Sikander tomb, which resulted in a slight increase in tourist traffic to the sites. ASI had already spent Rs 2.25 crores (about US$0.45 million) on conservation in a four-year period and a further Rs 1.15 crores (US$0.23 million) was allotted for more restoration work at the sites.[12]
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