Photo 1000/31(3220)

Genre: Architectural Photography

Interior of the mosque, taken from directly beneath the arch of the iwan. India Museum no. 1463. Received from Captain Lyon 7 February 1871. Duplicate print at Photo 1001 (3220).

Lyon supplies the following description in his 'Notes to accompany a series of photographs designed to illustrate the ancient architecture of Western India. Taken for Government and described by Captain Lyon' (Geneva, 1871):

572. - Is a view of the interior of the mosque. Again one solitary arch appears, but more as if put in as an after thought than because it is necessary. The building is 260 ft long by 95 covering consequently about 200,000 square ft. Within are nearly 300 pillars supporting 15 domes, the centre three being larger and higher than the others. The body of the mosque is too crowded for effect, and notwithstanding the whitewash, has a heavy appearance. Mr Ferguson in describing this mosque draws a contrast between it and the 1,000 pillar halls of the south greatly to the favour of the mosque, but it should be remembered that the 1,000 pillar halls are only part of the whole, and are never found like the mosque as the principal building standing in an enclosure of their own, and apart from all others, consequently such a comparison seems hardly fair. If the galleries had been omitted and the mosque open to the roof, the domes with their beautiful stone windows would have given height and light to the building and greatly improved the effect.