The Bawaman Mosque, also known as the Bava Man's Masjid, is a former

mosque A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard. Originally, mosques were si ...

, now a heritage site, in

Champaner Champaner is a historical town in the state of Gujarat, in western India. It is located in Panchmahal district, 47 kilometres from the city of Vadodara. The city was briefly the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat. At an early period Champan ...

, western

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. The mosque is a

Monument of National Importance A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, historical ...

, and, together with other structures, is part of the

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. It is located around the historical city of Champaner, a city which was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent ...

, a

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

World Heritage Site World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an treaty, international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural ...

, and is among the 114 monuments there which are listed by the Baroda Heritage Trust. It is situated on the western side of one of the ancient city's fort gates.

History

The mosque is named after Bawaman (or Bava Man), who was revered as a saint in

Baroda Vadodara (), also known as Baroda, is a city situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri River in the Indian state of Gujarat. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Vadodara district. The city is named for its abundance of banyan ...

. Bawaman was a follower of Sadan Shah, whose tomb is enshrined within the Kalika Mata Temple at the summit of

Pavagadh Hill Pavagadh Hill is situated within a plain in Panchmahal district, Gujarat, western India. A volcanic eruption occurred in the region approximately 500 million years ago and the etymology of Pavagadh is associated with this eruption: ''Pav-gadh'' ...

, which is also within the Archaeological Park. The mosque was built in Champaner during the time of

Mahmud Begada Abu'l Fath Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah I ( Gujarati: અબુલ ફત નાસીર ઉદ દિન મહમુદ શાહ), more famously known as Mahmud Begada, was a Sultan of the Gujarat Sultanate. Raised to the throne at a young age ...

, as were several other mosques within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, including the

Jama ''JAMA'' (''The Journal of the American Medical Association'') is a peer-reviewed medical journal published 48 times a year by the American Medical Association. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of b ...

, Kevada, Lila Gumbaj Ki, and Nagina mosques, and the Ek Minar, Khajuri, and Shahar Ki mosques. While many structural elements are worn or damaged, in 1985 the

Archaeological Survey of India The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander ...

reported that restoration work was in progress, such as the removal of dead lime concrete material from the roof, as well as the reset of loose stones in the arches. ASI reported in 2006 that extensive restoration works of many heritage monuments were carried out at the Bawana Mosque and also at the Jama Masjid, fort walls, Kevada Masjid, Lila Gumbaj Ki Masjid, Sikandar Shah Tomb and Sikander tomb, which resulted in a slight increase in tourist traffic to the sites. ASI had spent Rs 2.25 crores on the conservation activity in a four-year period and a further Rs 1.15 crores was allotted for more restoration works at the sites. A follow-up report in 2009 described extensive conservation work subsequent to earthquake damage.

Architecture

Built on a raised platform with a high plinth, its features include a

minaret A minaret is a type of tower typically built into or adjacent to mosques. Minarets are generally used to project the Muslim call to prayer (''adhan'') from a muezzin, but they also served as landmarks and symbols of Islam's presence. They can h ...

which stands out above the trees, three large domes, three

mihrab ''Mihrab'' (, ', pl. ') is a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the ''qibla'', the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca towards which Muslims should face when praying. The wall in which a ''mihrab'' appears is thus the "''qibla'' wall". ...

s on the rear wall, and three arched entrances. There are also ablution tanks close to the building.

References

External links

{{Mosques in India 15th-century mosques in India Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat Mosque buildings with domes in India Mosque buildings with minarets in India Mosques in Champaner Mosque ruins in India

History

Architecture

See also

References

External links