Sarkhej Roza

Sarkhej Roza is one of the prominent sightseeing places near Ahmedabad. It is basically a mosque located seven km from Ahmedabad in Makraba village. Gujarat state has many Roza’s spread across the length and breadth of the state. However, Sarkhej Roza is the most honored Roza due to its association with Sufi culture. The most powerful Sufi saint Ganj Baksh lived here. The Roza derives its name from the great Saint whose full name was Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh. He is believed to have lived for 111 years and spent most of his last years in the calm environment of Sarkhej. The myths and miracles of his teachings are still experienced by the visitors visiting this place. It is believed that the great ruler Ahmed Shah established his capital on the banks of river Sabarmati upon instruction by the saint. It was due to the nearness to Sarkhej.

This mosque has been popularly called as "Ahmedabad's Acropolis" due to its comparison with “Acropolis of Athens” by the popular architect Le Corbusier who was awestruck by seeing the architecture of the mosque.

The complete Sarkhej Roza complex is spread across seventy two acres with gardens spread all over the four sides of the complex. However, due to human settlement in and around the complex and reduction of the gardens to residential area, the total area is now reduced to thirty four acres. The complete architecture of Roza has been designed by two Persian brother’s Mu’azzam and Azam. The Roza is believed to be consisting of Spirit (Ruh) and Body (Jism) providing it the qualities of a human. The architecture of the site depicts the nature of its patron Sufi Saint Ganj Baksh.

The architecture of Sarkhej Roza has been designed keeping in view the Hindu Muslim culture prevailing during the time. The profusion of pillars, brackets and ringed domes depict the Islamic architecture where as the motifs and ornamentation are indicative of Hindu designs. Majority of the buildings do not have arches and they entirely depend on the pierced stone framework to provide stability. The Islamic architecture followed in the mosque also belongs to the early Islamic architectural culture. The styles are largely the fusion of Hindu, Persian and Jain architecture. This style of architecture is called “Indo-Saracenic” architectural style.

The tombs, mosques and palaces located around the large tank in Sarkhej gives the visitors a feel of the 15th century period.

This mystique structure was built during the period of Sultan Qutubuddin Ahmed Shah II (Between 1451 and 1458). However, it was the next sultan Mehmud Begada who provided the present magnificent look to the Roza. He took a lot of initiative in extending the complex by including pleasure palaces, added his own tomb and gave finishing touches to the tank.

Make this historical mosque a part of your tour while visiting Ahmedabad to experience the ancient grandeur and excellent architecture.

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Sarkhej Roza
Sarkhej Roza
Sarkhej Roza
Sarkhej Roza
Sarkhej Roza
Sarkhej Roza

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