| Andu Masjid | |
|---|---|
 The mosque, in 1866, by William Henry Pigou | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active[clarification needed] |
| Location | |
| Location | Bijapur,Karnataka |
| Country | India |
  Location of the mosque inKarnataka | |
| Administration | Archaeological Survey of India |
| Coordinates | 16°49′20″N75°43′06″E / 16.8223°N 75.7183°E /16.8223; 75.7183 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | Indo-Islamic |
| Founder | I‘tibar Khan |
| Completed | 1017AH (1608/1609 CE) |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | One |
| Minaret | Four |
| Materials | Dressed stone |
| Official name | Andu Masjid |
| Reference no. | N-KA-D130 |
TheAndu Masjid, also known asAnda Masjid, is amosque located inBijapur, in the state ofKarnataka, India.[1] The mosque is aMonument of National Importance, administered by theArchaeological Survey of India.[2]
An inscription carved at the entrance of the mosque notes that it was commissioned by I‘tibar Khan in 1017AH (1608/1609 CE). Khan was a nobleman who lived during the reign ofIbrahim Adil Shah II.[3]
Henry Cousens posits that it was built as a women's mosque.[3] The absence of a pulpit within the prayer-hall points to this conclusion, since no man would be allowed to enter the mosque and deliver asermon, due topurdah restrictions. Other elements supporting this theory include aparapet around the terrace of the building, which allows its occupants a view of the city without being seen themselves.[3] However, as of 2016[update], the mosque has banned the entry of women.[4] Its ground floor serves as amadrasa, while the upper floor serves as a prayer-hall for men.[4]
The building has two stories, with the mosque on the first floor and a hall on the ground floor, which might have served as acaravanserai. It is built out of dressed stonemasonry. The first floor is ornately decorated, while the ground floor is plain.[3]
The mosque is situated on the western side of the first floor, and itsfaçade has three arched entrances of equal size, opening out into a terrace. Two staircases provide access to the outer corners of the terrace, and a low parapet runs around it. The prayer-hall measures about 6 metres (20 ft) square. Its western wall contains a largemihrab (prayer-niche), flanked by two smaller niches. There is nominbar (pulpit) within the mosque.[1][5][3]
A ribbed dome surmounts the roof, resting upon an arcadeddrum with sixteen sides. Fourminarets rise above a projectingbuttress at the rear of the dome, which aligns with the prayer-niche of the mosque below. Four more minarets are provided, one at each corner of the building. The main dome is melon-shaped, as are small domes crowning each of the minarets.[1][3][6]
