| Solah Khamba Mosque | |
|---|---|
 A wide-angle view of thefaçade, showing 15 of the 16 arches, in 2015 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Bidar Fort,Bidar,Karnataka |
| Country | India |
  Location of the mosque inKarnataka | |
| Geographic coordinates | 17°55′15″N77°31′41″E / 17.9208°N 77.5281°E /17.9208; 77.5281 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | |
| Founder | Bahmani Sultanate |
| Completed | AH 827 (1423/1424 CE) |
| Dome(s) | 41(estimate) |
TheSolah Khamba Mosque is amosque within theBidar Fort inBidar, in the state ofKarnataka, India.
The original name of the building is not known. It has been described as theZanani Masjid (mosque of thezenana) owing to its presence in the women's enclosure. The nameSolah Khamba(sixteen pillars) refers to the presence of sixteen columns in the middle of the hall.[1]
The building has been traditionally considered to be thecongregational mosque of Bidar. However, Helen Philon argues that the building was intended to be a royal ceremonial hall, rather than a congregational mosque. She claims that the mosque is located well within Bidar Fort, and would not have been accessible to the general public.[2]
An inscription, written inArabic, found during the clearing of debris from a decayed part of the building reads, when translated intoEnglish:
During the time of the viceregent of God; Prince Muhammad, who has no equal; 'InAH 827 (1423/1424 CE) Qubli Sultani was the auspicious founder of this mosque.’
The easternfaçade is 94 metres (310 ft) wide. An arcade of nineteen[clarification needed] uniform arches forms the façade of the mosque. The span of each of the arches is approximately 3.45 metres (11 ft 4 in), and their height approximately 6.1 metres (20 ft). Aparapet wall rises above the mosque, considered to be a later addition. The mosque is well known for the symmetry of its arches, itsclerestory windows with perforated geometrical screens, completed in theDeccan style.[3]
The mosque is surmounted with a massive dome. The dome rests on a circular drum, withtrefoilcrenellations in relief. The prayer hall measures 89.84 metres (294 ft 9 in) long, and 24 metres (80 ft) wide. It is divided into ninety-five bays by means of nineteen aisles, each five bays deep. Royal palaces that were constructed towards the east of the mosque blocks light from entering. As a result, five of the smaller domes have openings at their apexes.[1]
Recessed into the western wall is the pentagonalmihrab, entered through a cusped arch.
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Media related toSolah Khamba Masjid at Wikimedia Commons
