Ahmedabad - Sarkhej Roza

Sarkhej Roza comprises one of the most elegant and unique architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. In its architecture, Sarkhej Roza is an example of the early Islamic architectural culture of the region, which fused Islamic stylistic influences from Persia with indigenous Hindu and Jain features to form a composite “Indo-Saracenic” architectural style. The architectural style of Sarkhej Roza is a precursor to the Mughal period in a true amalgamation of Hindu, Jain and Islamic styles. Hindu craftsmanship and construction know-how was overlaid on Islamic sense of geometry and scale. The Roza Complex at Sarkhej was built at the advent of Sultanate era.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

At the time when Ahmedabad city was built, which was during the reign of Ahmed Shah (1440-1443 A.D.), Sarkhej was a village with a population consisting of weavers and indigo-dyers who were predominantly Hindu. It became associated with the name of Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh, a Sufi saint and a friend/advisor to Sultan Ahmed Shah, who in his later years retired to the quiet environment of Sarkhej, away from the city. The saint lived till he was 111 years of age and was greatly venerated during his lifetime. Myths about his miraculous powers are prevalent even today. Lives and teachings of Shaikh Ganj Baksh Khattu Upon his death in 1445, the reigning monarch, Mohammed Shah ordered a mausoleum built in his honour, along with a mosque. The construction of these two monuments were completed in 1451 A.D., by his successor Qutb'ud-Din Ahmed Shah. In the latter half of the 15th century, Sultan Mahmud Begada completed the complex by excavating a central tank and adding a number of pavilions and a small private mosque. Sarkhej now, became a place of repose and meditation; a summer resort for the royal family. Also, he built a mausoleum for himself and his family opposite to that of the saint, where his son Muzzaffar II and his queen, Rajabai were buried.A garden were constructed to commemorate the event. The complex is therefore one of the producand his queents of an important phase in the socio-political history of Gujarat. Further additions to the complex were made in 1584 A.D., when Akbar's forces defeated Muzaffar III. A country house gujarat, and in particular, the city of Ahmedabad.

The main Roza of the Saint Ahmed Khattu Ganjbakhsh is in the center of the area. It is very big, the biggest among the Rozas of Gujarat, spreading to 35 sq. m. area. Nearby are the rozas of King Muhammad 'Begda' and his queen. The main roza has beautiful carvings on its wal1s and the tomb. The 'jali's carved in the marble within the vast chamber of the tomb allow circulation of air freely and controls the light beautiful1y. It creates such designs along with the angles of sunrays at different stages of a day that the pure white floors are full of beautiful impressions made by the light and shadow plays. There are rozas of Sultans other than Begda also within the premises. The huge tomb of Muhammad Begda reflects his giant personality and symbolizes his many acts of bravery. The saintly ruler Muzaffar Shah's tomb is supplementary to the tomb of the main Saint. The road from here leads to Gandhinagar, the political capital of Gujarat. Let us visit it before we enter the colorful city of Ahmedabad.

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