Jury of IPC-MoMA Competition

IPC-Conducted by MoMA under IMECCTrust conducted the jury for selecting winners on 13th March 2011 at MEASI Chennai

The Jury members have selected the winners of IPC and the same shall be announced after the IMECCTrust Executive Board Meeting during the 1st week of April 2011.

MoMA plans to conduct a one day workshop on "Dawn of Civilisation-Muslim Architecture of India"in June to July 2011 during which MoMA will distribute prizes for the winners.

Ultimately a monograph is being planned to be released on this theme.

Jaffer AA Khan FRSA

MoMA India

Jury Session for IPC-MoMA Photographic Competition

The final Jury for the IPC -International Photographic Competition on "Dawn of Civilization-Muslim Architecture of India" will be held at MEASI Chennai on 13th March 2011 from 0930 to 1600. The following are the jury Members:

1. S Anwar - Film Maker and Photographer

2.Dr Ranee Vedamuthu-Chairman SAP Anna University Chennai

3.J Subramaniam- Eminent Architect/Design Chair-MEASI Chennai

4. Kalpana Ahmed- Architect Conservationist

5. Afroze Ahmed - Expert Architectural Photography

The jury shall be co-ordinated by Mr Niaz Abdul Sathar

IMECCT Representative will be Dr JA Khan-Renowned Academic

Overall Co-ordination will be Ms Surambika Pradhan.

For

The Museum of Muslim Art India

The Begumpuri Masjid New Delhi

A narrow road by the side of Aurobindo Ashram (Delhi Branch), 15-km from Delhi on the Delhi-Mehrauli Road, now known as Sri Aurobindo Road, leads to the village of Begampur. Within the village is the Begampuri-Masjid, one of the seven mosques reputed to have been built by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah, Feroze Shah Tughluq's prime minister.

With a large courtyard, 94m by 88m, enclosed by arched cloisters on the sides and a three-aisle deep prayer-hall, the rubble-built structure of the mosque rises from a high plinth. Its corridors are pierced with gates on the north, south and east, with rows of windows on their either side, the last named gate functioning as the main entrance.

The façade of the prayer-hall is broken by twenty-four arched openings, the central one being the highest and flanked by tapering minarets in the Tughluq style The central compartment of the prayer-hall is surmounted by a large dome, while small low domes, characteristic of the Tughluq architecture, rise on the roof from the central aisle and from the corridors. At the rear the location of the minhrabs in the interior is indicated by five projections.Whatever left of it has been swallowed up by grasping tentacles of the ever-expanding south Delhi. The walls of Jahanpanah are surprisingly huge; some even have rooms built into them to store provisions and war equipment. You can spot some sections of the wall at Satpula, near Khirkee Village .As one climbs up to the masjid, its massive pointed dome suddenly pops out of the towering doorways that it had been hiding behind. There were originally forty-fur smaller domes too, however some of these have either fallen or are crumbling. These used to be atop the riwaq (cloister), strewn across the courtyard above the porticos.

An interesting façade of twenty four arched openings greets the visitor to this mosque. On either side of the mosque you will see tapering minarets which are characteristic Tughlaq material. Architecture freaks don't miss the core of the courtyard, which is akin to the Jaunpur Mosques and the only example of its kind in Delhi. One wonders why this mosque was ever abandoned, considering that India is teeming with medieval mosques that still in worship. There are steps which can take you right to the top of mosque.

Registration Form for International Photography Competition

Qutub Shahi Tombs of Hyderabad

The famous tombs of the seven Qutub Shahi rulers in the Ibrahim Bagh are located close to the famous Golkonda Fort. The tombs are domed structures built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches. The mausoleums of the Sultans of Golkonda, the founding rulers of Hyderabad are truly magnificent monuments that have stood the test of time and braved the elements. The tombs form a large cluster and stand on a raised platform. They display a distinctive style, a mixture of Persian, Pathan and Hindu forms. The tombs are graceful structures with intricately carved stonework and are surrounded by landscaped gardens. The tombs were once furnished with carpets, chandeliers and velvet canopies on silver poles. Qurans were kept on supports and readers recited verses from the holy book at regular intervals. Golden spires were fitted over the tombs of the Sultans to distinguish their tombs from those of other members of the royal family. During the Qutub Shahi period, these tombs were held in great veneration. But after their reign, the tombs were neglected, till Sir Salar Jung III ordered their restoration in the early 19th century. A pretty garden was laid out, and a compound wall was built.All, except the last, of the Qutub Shahi Sultans lie buried here.

It is one of the finest mosques of Gujarat. This is a gigantic structure with two imposing minars on either side of the central entrance to the prayer hall. The dome behind the high central screen of the façade is elevated on two extra storeys of open arcades. The roof just behind this dome is filled by a carved slab of great beauty and ingenuity of workmanship. There are seven mehrabs (prayer niches) in the back wall of the main prayer hall, the central being more elaborated. The northern section of prayer hall was separated by a perforated screen, reserved for ladies from where an extra entrance was provided. A pillared corridor goes round the vast court yard opening inside in ogival arches supported by pillars. The Mosque has three entrance porches to courtyard but the eastern porch is most remarkable for its intricate carving and Jaali work. Outside the mosque, there is an octagonal tank with steps for ablutions. Construction of mosque is datable to late 15th century A.D. Sultan Begada also built this Jama Masjid in Champaner, which ranks amongst the finest architectural edifices in Gujarat. It is an imposing structure on a high plinth, with a central dome, two minarets 30 meters in height, 172 pillars, seven mihrabs, and carved entrance gates.

Jahaz Mahal in Mandu was built in the second half of the fifteenth century. It was a symbol of ‘elegance achieved through the symbiosis of indigenous and outside influences in late Malwa design’. The Jahaz Mahal in Mandu India is located on a narrow strip of land between the two lakes, Munj Talao to the west and Kapur Talao to the east. It stands on the terraces of the adjoining Taweli Mahal. It is a royal pleasure to watch this boat floating on the lake on a moonlit night. 

Jahaz Mahal is a double storied, rectangular structure with 3 feet (0.86 meters) thick wall. One must watch the six gothic arched opening in the main entrance of the eastern side of the palace. These arched openings are secluded by a continuous chhajja (awning) supported on stone brackets. There are three large halls in the ground floor which are separated by corridors. The small rooms are located at the ends. 

There are numerous fountains and cascades built in the Jahaz Mahal which makes the palaces more beautiful. The charming image of the palace is further highlighted by the reflection of the pavilions in the water. Apart from this romantic ambience, the northern end of the terrace leads to a bath with broad steps leading into it. The present condition of this elegant palace which was once admired by Jahangir the Moghul Emperor needs care and restoration.