| Deval Masjid | |
|---|---|
 Partial ruins of the former temple and mosque, in 2020 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status |
|
| Status | Abandoned; (partial ruinous state) |
| Location | |
| Location | Bodhan,Nizamabad district,Telangana |
| Country | India |
  Location of the former temple and mosque inTelangana | |
| Coordinates | 18°39′49″N77°53′07″E / 18.6635°N 77.8854°E /18.6635; 77.8854 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Hindu temple architecture |
| Style |
|
| Completed | c. 12th centuryCE;Kakatiya era |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | 12 |
| Inscriptions | Several |
| Materials | Stone |
TheDeval Masjid is a formerHindu temple and formermosque, in a partial ruinous state, located inBodhan, in theNizamabad district of the state ofTelangana, India. The building was converted from aHindu temple into a mosque in the 14th century. It is locally known as theVanda Stambhala Gudi (hundred-pillared temple) inTelugu.[1][2] The former temple and mosque is listed as astate protected monument.[3]
The temple was constructed in the late 12th or early 13th century, during the reign of theKakatiya kingdom.[1]Ghulam Yazdani posits that it might have been aBuddhist orJain temple before being used as Hindu temple, based on the imagery of all three religions being found in and around the temple.[4]
In the 14th century, the region was invaded and taken over byUlugh Khan, a general of theDelhi Sultanate, who would later become itssultan. In 1323, Ulugh Khan encamped inBodhan, and a contemporary account byAbdul Malik Isami mentions that he laid siege to the fort of Bodhan for approximately two to three months. The report further states that the chief of Bodhan surrendered, converted toIslam with his family, and was granted amnesty.[5] The style of the mosque does not correspond with otherTughluq architecture of the Deccan.Richard M. Eaton posited that the chief of Bodhan converted the temple into a mosque himself.[6]
The temple had a star-shaped plan, and it was composed of agarbhagriha (sanctum),antarala (antechamber), andmandapa (pillared hall). While the sanctum and antechamber were converted into a prayer-hall, the pillared hall remains almost completely intact, and serves as a pavilion leading up to the prayer-hall. Twelve smalldomes, made out of brick, were added on the roof of the pillared hall. The large number of domes is unusual for Tughluq mosques, and were probably included in order to give the building a moreIndo-Islamic appearance.[7][4]
The pillared hall is divided into ninebays and containsporches in the middle of its northern, eastern, and southern sides. It stands upon a plinth, and is accessible by flights of steps withbalustrades on the northern and southern sides.[7] The prayer-hall is divided into forty-fivebays. The central bay is elaborately carved, and images ofNarasimha can be found at its four corners.[4] The western wall was closed up using rubble. Amihrab (prayer-niche) is carved into the western wall, and aminbar (pulpit) stands to its north.[8] The building is surrounded by a wall built out of dressed stone, with four entrances facing the four cardinal points.[4]
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Media related toDeval Masjid at Wikimedia Commons
