Qutbuddin Mosque

Highlights

• The Qutbuddin Mosque, formally the Qutb al-Din Shah Mosque, is a former mosque, now in partial ruins, built in 1449 in the Old City of Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, India.
• The structure is a Monument of National Importance.
• Although the mosque is not considered a distinctive building by scholars, it exemplifies the progression of the Indo-Islamic architectural style of Ahmedabad in the 15th century.

Dress Code

Modest, respectful clothing is expected at this site.

History

• •The Mosque of Qutb al-Din Shah was built during the short reign of Ahmad Shah II (1451 - 1458), who acquired the title Qutb al-Din Shah following his ascension to the throne.
• •Nevertheless, an inscription band situated within the central mihrab of the mosque gives the date 1449 as the year of foundation, falling during the reign of his predecessor and father, Muhammad Shah II.
• •Despite the confusion regarding the date of foundation, scholars ascribe the building to Ahmad Shah II, who was reported in an earlier source under the name Jalal Khan, son of Muhammad Shah II.

Architecture

• •The Mosque of Qutb al-Din Shah is characteristic of the Indo-Islamic architectural style, featuring a markedly Hindu temple-influenced exterior.
• •The mosque does not represent any substantial architectural development; its immediate prototype is Ahmed Shah's Mosque, which shares the same plan yet differs in scale and exterior decorative scheme.
• •The Qutb al-Din Shah mosque has been criticised by scholars for its stiff proportions.
• •Scholars consider it an unsuccessful attempt at combining an arched façade with a columnar interior.

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