I started my journey early on a Sunday morning with my friends. Occasionally, I was overtaken by a colorful truck, adorned with art. The scantier and more scattered the population became. The landscape was quickly replaced by the more rural and rustic beauty of Sindh.
I started my journey on the highway towards the ancient town of Thatta, which was the capital of Sindh for many years. The 16th and 17th centuries saw the city rise to great heights, becoming home to a busy port as well as a celebrated center of learning, with over 400 institutes.
The most renowned and well-known of these sits is the the stunning Jamia Masjid of Thatta (also called Shah Jahan Masjid). It was a gift of gratitude from Shah Jahan to the great people of Sindh for their hospitality and kindness in giving him refuge when he was sent into exile by his irate father and then Mughal Emperor Jehangir.
The interior of the mosque is nothing short of grandiose. It walls are covered with Intricate geometrical patterns and Islamic calligraphy. Blu glazed Hala tiles adorn most of the interior of this remarkable structure.
The mosque was built with due attention to acoustics and has 93 domes and more than 30 arches that generate a remarkable echo. Hence a prayer at mimbar can be heard all around the mosque. I guess it is fair to say that the Shah Jahan Mosque of Thatta is the finest Mughal structure in all of Sindh.
I was in Thatta's Shahjahan mosque, an enormous, beautiful structure which bespeaks the glory of its era.
Crossing the passage that leads to the courtyard, I passed by a number of stalls selling gola gandas and chaat. The garden tells a sad story of ignorance. But when I entered the mosque, I was hypnotized.
I started my journey on the highway towards the ancient town of Thatta, which was the capital of Sindh for many years. The 16th and 17th centuries saw the city rise to great heights, becoming home to a busy port as well as a celebrated center of learning, with over 400 institutes.
The most renowned and well-known of these sits is the the stunning Jamia Masjid of Thatta (also called Shah Jahan Masjid). It was a gift of gratitude from Shah Jahan to the great people of Sindh for their hospitality and kindness in giving him refuge when he was sent into exile by his irate father and then Mughal Emperor Jehangir.
The interior of the mosque is nothing short of grandiose. It walls are covered with Intricate geometrical patterns and Islamic calligraphy. Blu glazed Hala tiles adorn most of the interior of this remarkable structure.
The mosque was built with due attention to acoustics and has 93 domes and more than 30 arches that generate a remarkable echo. Hence a prayer at mimbar can be heard all around the mosque. I guess it is fair to say that the Shah Jahan Mosque of Thatta is the finest Mughal structure in all of Sindh.
I was in Thatta's Shahjahan mosque, an enormous, beautiful structure which bespeaks the glory of its era.
Crossing the passage that leads to the courtyard, I passed by a number of stalls selling gola gandas and chaat. The garden tells a sad story of ignorance. But when I entered the mosque, I was hypnotized.
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| A beautiful view of Shahjahan masjid. |
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| The external fecade of the Shah Jahan mosque. |
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| Intricate geometrical patterns covering the roof of one of the domes in the mosque. |
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| The arches inside the Shahjahan Mosque. |
What a breathtaking building. I sat down in the main courtyard and just looked at it, its walls telling me stories of another time - the good times; and also the ruthlessness of time.
Located in Sindh's historic town, Thatta, the Shahjahan mosque is nearly 100km from Hyderabad and around the same distance from Karachi as well. Thatta has a large number of monuments that are among the UNESCO world heritage sites, including this mosque.
Located in Sindh's historic town, Thatta, the Shahjahan mosque is nearly 100km from Hyderabad and around the same distance from Karachi as well. Thatta has a large number of monuments that are among the UNESCO world heritage sites, including this mosque.
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| History of Shahjahan Masjid. |
The monuments and archaeological sites in and outskirts of Thatta are remarkable work of art and craftsmanship. The Shah Jahan Masjid in the center of Thatta was built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan, the one who commissioned Taj Mahal.
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