Mosque of Makhdum Sabzwari

The mosque of Makhdum Sabzwari is located at the Mayfair Gardens in Delhi. The mosque was built in the 15th century AD, during the invasion of India by Timur who was a Muslim ruler from central Asia. The mosque of Makhdum Sabzwari is a mix of Indian and Pathan style of architecture. The sloping walls, squat domes, negligible ornamentation and simple severity of outline combine together to give buildings a stern look. The interior of the mosque is made in typical Islamic style. The mosque is a typical evidence of the gradual inter-mingling of the indigenous elements with the Islamic architectural styles by the Muslim invaders in India.

The remarkable feature of the mosque is the concept of the enclosed space. There is a rectangular open space defined by arched openings on three sides known as iwans for congregational prayer, which give the delusion of both openness and enclosure. The iwans on the western wall are given more prominence. The prayer chamber is divided into seven alcoves internally. The central one and the two at the extreme ends are domed. The domes are low set and impart solidity and sternness to the entire structure. The building is constructed of rubble masonry coated with plaster. The pillars of the arched openings are made of hard compact granite squared into large masses. The western fa�ade also has two slender turret-like structures on either side of the main dome and one on each of the ends. There are no minarets for the muezzin to summon for the prayer.

The gate of the mosque is built in the Hindu style. The gateway, with its typically Hindu style arch and pillar is reminiscent of a temple. It has a short squat dome on top and a passage allowing access through the northern side of the mosque. Incidentally, the enclosure has only one entrance, which has been barricaded by a rickety wooden gate painted blue.

The inside of the building is at once harmonious and yet articulated towards the mihrab or niche in the qibla wall. The mihrab is simply a recess or alcove indicating the qibla or direction for prayer. On the right side of the mihrab is the mimbar of pulpit from where the prayer leader or imam could address the congregation.

The arches, pillars, the red sandstone dripstones, the moldings and brackets speak of the admixture of two styles of architecture. The external walls of the iwans and the vaulted insides of the domes bear show of inscriptions carved in plaster, the quality of which is so good that the distinctness of the lines is perfect to this day. There are two narrow domes hujras or cells on either side of the open pillared cloisters, which probably served as secluded chambers for performing austerities or meditation. One of them still has remnants of an intricate red sandstone jaali (lattice-work).

A walled graveyard faces the mosque. The grave of the saint Makhdum Sabzwari is over a raised platform facing a spacious courtyard lined on three sides by pillared cloisters, which form part of mosque. The funerary garden, or rawda, is traditionally organized around a focal point called baraka. The focus here is the tomb of the saint. The walled enclosure containing the grave of Makhdum Sahib is, however, a humble and modest one. Practically nothing is known of the Sufi saint who lies buried here.

The plaster on the grave has fallen away in places, divulging the bare bricks that stick out. The canopy or chhatri that covers the grave still has remnants of some beautiful blue inlay work that is visible only in patches now on the lintels and the crown of the dome. The dargah and mosque of Makhdum Sabzwari is in a state of reasonably good preservation. In this regard a big deal is to be said for the solidness of the structure. Like other Pathan buildings, this too is no less remarkable for its durability and simplicity as well as uniqueness of form in which it differ in a striking degree from the Mughal architecture.