Toli Masjid
Encyclopedia
Toli Masjid or Toli Mosque is a mosque in Karwan
, Hyderabad, India. The mosque is also known as Damri Masjid, located only about 2 km from the Golconda
fort on the way to Charminar
, this magnificent mosque was built in 1671 AD by Mir Musa Khan Qilaydar, royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah
. This mosque is INTACH awarded and declared heritage site
by archeological survey of India On scale of architecture Toli Mosque ranks next after Mecca Masjid
, Hyderabad, India.
Abdullah Qutub Shah, it is one of the finest examples of Qutub Shahi architecture. The mosque was architect by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, he had also architect Mecca Masjid
of Hyderabad and royal architect of Sultan
Abdullah Qutub Shah.
There is a chapter in the "royal records" called as the "Gulzar-e-Asafia" it has mention that when this royal architect was building Mecca Masjid, he was given one Damri/Damdi (English:Coin) out of every rupee spent on it. The sum of money thus collected was used by Musa Khan to construct the Toli Masjid. Hence, this Masjid is also called as Damri Masjid.
The inscription in the prayer hall reveals that Musa Khan,(who played an important role in the accession of the last Qutb Shahi Sultan, Abul Hasan Qutb Shah
to the throne of Golconda
), built the mosque. The Musa Burj (bastion) of the Golconda
fort is also the work of Musa Khan.
The upper half of this mosque is the most beautifully decorated. The parapet consists of a series of arched jali screens, each of a different pattern. Above this runs a row of tiny notches punctuated by six finials. The elaborately decorated minarets have three receding tiers of octagonal galleries, the central one raised on a series of deeply recessed, carved moldings and petals. The minaret shaft is covered with rounded patterns. This composition is adorned by a circular dome and a brass finial.
: The Land around the Toli Masjid had been encroached by the local residents under the political influence. and due to pollution and lack of Maintenance the mosque minarets are losing its carved beauty.
Karwan
Karwan is a major suburb in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a part of the old city of Hyderabad.It is 10 km away from the IT hubs like Gachibowli, HITECH City etc.-Culture:...
, Hyderabad, India. The mosque is also known as Damri Masjid, located only about 2 km from the Golconda
Golconda
Golconda may be:Places:* Golkonda, ruined city and fortress in India* Golconda, Illinois, town in the United States* Golconda, Nevada, former town in the United StatesOther:* Golconda...
fort on the way to Charminar
Charminar
Charminar built in 1591 AD, is a landmark monument located in Hyderabad, India. The two words Char Minar of Urdu language are combined to which it is known as Charminar . These are four ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches, it has become the global icon of Hyderabad and is...
, this magnificent mosque was built in 1671 AD by Mir Musa Khan Qilaydar, royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah
Abdullah Qutb Shah
Abdullah Qutb Shah was the seventh ruler of the kingdom of Golconda in southern India under the Qutb Shahi dynasty. He ruled from 1625 to 1672....
. This mosque is INTACH awarded and declared heritage site
Heritage structures in Hyderabad
Heritage Conservation Committee under HUDA was formed by state government in 1981 to retain architectural, historical and social value of buildings. Hyderabad Urban Development Authority has listed almost 160 buildings in Hyderabad city as heritage structures. Almost 70% of heritage buildings are...
by archeological survey of India On scale of architecture Toli Mosque ranks next after Mecca Masjid
Mecca Masjid
Makkah Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, India, And it is one of the largest Mosques in India. Makkah Masjid is a listed heritage building in the old city of Hyderabad, close to the historic landmarks of Chowmahalla Palace and Laad Bazaar...
, Hyderabad, India.
History
Built by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar in 1671 AD during the rule of SultanSultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
Abdullah Qutub Shah, it is one of the finest examples of Qutub Shahi architecture. The mosque was architect by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, he had also architect Mecca Masjid
Mecca Masjid
Makkah Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, India, And it is one of the largest Mosques in India. Makkah Masjid is a listed heritage building in the old city of Hyderabad, close to the historic landmarks of Chowmahalla Palace and Laad Bazaar...
of Hyderabad and royal architect of Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
Abdullah Qutub Shah.
There is a chapter in the "royal records" called as the "Gulzar-e-Asafia" it has mention that when this royal architect was building Mecca Masjid, he was given one Damri/Damdi (English:Coin) out of every rupee spent on it. The sum of money thus collected was used by Musa Khan to construct the Toli Masjid. Hence, this Masjid is also called as Damri Masjid.
Architecture
The Mosque is built on a raised platform with a high plinth, divided into two halls, the outer one having five-arched openings, among five outer arches the central arch is slightly wider and more ornate. Two minarets of 20 metres each, flank the edifice. The parapets on top comprise a series of miniature arches with perforated screens of different designs. There are five beautiful arches each with lotus medallions in the spandrels. The central arch is a bit wider and more ornate than the remaining four.The inscription in the prayer hall reveals that Musa Khan,(who played an important role in the accession of the last Qutb Shahi Sultan, Abul Hasan Qutb Shah
Abul Hasan Qutb Shah
Abul Hasan Qutb Shah was the eighth and last ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, who ruled the kingdom of Golconda in south India...
to the throne of Golconda
Golconda
Golconda may be:Places:* Golkonda, ruined city and fortress in India* Golconda, Illinois, town in the United States* Golconda, Nevada, former town in the United StatesOther:* Golconda...
), built the mosque. The Musa Burj (bastion) of the Golconda
Golconda
Golconda may be:Places:* Golkonda, ruined city and fortress in India* Golconda, Illinois, town in the United States* Golconda, Nevada, former town in the United StatesOther:* Golconda...
fort is also the work of Musa Khan.
The upper half of this mosque is the most beautifully decorated. The parapet consists of a series of arched jali screens, each of a different pattern. Above this runs a row of tiny notches punctuated by six finials. The elaborately decorated minarets have three receding tiers of octagonal galleries, the central one raised on a series of deeply recessed, carved moldings and petals. The minaret shaft is covered with rounded patterns. This composition is adorned by a circular dome and a brass finial.
Deterioration
According to The HinduThe Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
: The Land around the Toli Masjid had been encroached by the local residents under the political influence. and due to pollution and lack of Maintenance the mosque minarets are losing its carved beauty.