Ahmedabad, India’s first heritage city, is a fusion of cultural monuments and traditions combined with the confluence of various schools of architecture that grab your attention. One such magnificent wonder that over time has become emblematic of Ahmedabad is the Sidi Saiyyed Ni Jaali.
Symbolic of a time when this city of Gujarat prospered under Muslim rule, the Sidi Saiyyed mosque is renowned for its intricate ornate lattice work, which has come to be known as jaali. The mosque was built in 1573 AD, under the regime of the last Sultanate of Gujarat.
If you ever visit the mosque or whiz past the area, the first thing that will attract your attention is the ‘tree of life jali’, a masterpiece of latticework done on a semi-circular arch, which has become a symbol of craftsman excellence from Gujarat. The magnificence and intricacy of the artwork is so unique that the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, even adopted the Indo-Islamic piece of work as its official logo.
The Gujarat Sultanate completed this special mosque in the final year of its rule. Soon after its completion, Ahmedabad was taken over by Akbar’s army and brought under the Mughal empire. The mosque was built by an Abyssinian from Yemen called Sidi Saiyyed, who was aided by 45 craftsmen. Built in an Indo-Islamic style of architecture with minarets on the sides and arched windows, a visit to the mosque at dawn is a must for every photographer visiting Ahmedabad.
The mosque is under the care of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), though earlier, under the British rule it served as a government office.