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Jama Masjid, Biloli
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Location
Location	Biloli
Country	India
Architecture
Date established	1645

Jama Masjid, Biloli is a congregational mosque located in Biloli, in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

History

The mosque was built in 1645, during the reign of Shah Jahan, by a Mughal governor named Sarfaraz Khan. It is one of the earliest Mughal buildings of the Deccan.

Description

The mosque facade contains five arched entrances with low piers, above which is a deep stone chajja. An arcaded parapet runs across the length of the facade, interspersed with miniature minarets corresponding with the piers of the arches. The parapet is carved with jali screens, and in the middle is a flying arch, which connects the two miniature minarets in the center. The walls and roof of the mosque are extremely thick. The roof consists of ten flattish domes, which are hidden due to their small size, and the roof's thickness. Several windows allow light into the interior.

The facade is flanked by two slender minarets, with bear some resemblance to the minarets of the Damri Masjid, as well as Qutb Shahi minarets. The design of the minarets shows Hindu and Persian influences, with the bases being of Hindu influence, and the balconies toward the top being a Persian feature. Stone chains, hanging from the top of the minarets, are also of Hindu inspiration. These produce chiming sounds due to the action of the wind.

A row of massive pillars divides the prayer-hall into two aisles. The western wall contains a pentagonal mihrab (prayer-niche), and a carved minbar. Over the prayer-niche, an inscription is carved onto a tablet. The inscription, which begins with the creed of the Dil-i Ilahi, notes the date of the mosque's construction as 1055 Hijri (1645 CE), and that it was commissioned by Sarfaraz Khan, who also built a tank and laid out a garden.

Tomb

Towards the north of the mosque lies the tomb of Sarafraz Khan. The structure features an arcaded gallery and a square chamber, with a pyramidal roof. To the southeast of this tomb, there are two additional tombs and a masonry platform with several graves.

References

1. ^ Sherwani, Haroon Khan; Joshi, P. M., eds. (1974). History of Medieval Deccan. pp. 307–308.
2. ^ Yazdani, Ghulam (1919). Annual report of the Archaeological Department of His Exalted Highness the Nizam’s Dominions, 1327 F. (1917-18 A.D.). Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press. pp. 4–5.
3. Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Nanded District (1st ed.). Girectorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State. 1971. p. 561.

• Mosques in Maharashtra

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