MOSQUE OF MUHAFIZ KHAN
The minars on either side of the east front seem to be rather thick, considering the size of the mosque. However, these are one of the rare examples of the minars remaining in perfect shape. The part above the roof has a round section, having a small pyramidal dome at the top. There is a two-tiered balcony attached to the body of the towers. The form and decorations of the towers are extremely rich. Elaborately sculptured patterns at the lower part of the minars, situated on either side of the mosque, show features reminding one of Hindu and Jain temples.
This mosque is three spans in depth, one span covering the lower ceiling of the qibla wall side and two covering the higher ceiling of the entrance side. It is five spans in width, of which three spans of the centre covers the higher ceiling. There are 5 mihrabs corresponding to the spans. Inside the prayer room, tall Hindu-style pillars support the well-hole style ceiling, having seven small domes. The prominant features of the prayer room of this mosque are the rich sculptured patterns between the pillars and the ceiling. The patterns decorating the west mihrabs are especially unique, of which those of the central mihrab are the most outstanding. These unique sculptured patterns, as well as the Hindu-style form, can also be observed in the minbar in the prayer room, the bay windows in the upper part of the arch in the east side of the front, and on the north and south side of the building.
The mausoleum built to the
northeast of the mosque has a central dome, surrounded by domes
in the four corners of a flat roof. It has a square plan,
extending three spans in depth and width, supported by 16
pillars, without any wall or screen. There are many tombstones on
the floor. However, it is not known which one belongs to the
founder of the mosque.
(Matsuo Ara)