Sarkhej

Sarkhej or Sarkhej Rauza is an architectural complex located at 8 km in the south of Ahmedabad.

Built mainly during the reign of Mahmud Begada, between 1442 is and 1451, on the site or the saint and Moslem religious leader Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh (or Shaikh Ahmad Khattri ) lived and died (in 1446). It was spiritual guide of the sultan Ahmed Shah. In 1411, it was one of 4 Ahmed who founded the town of Ahmedabad. Its Rauza (or Maqbara) is one of the largest mausoleums of India, competing with the Taj Mahal.

The place became then place of retreat for the sultans, then Nécropole imperial.

Laid out around a broad artificial water tank, one finds gardens, a mosque there, and in addition to the tomb of the saint, those of Mahmud Begada and his queen Rajabai, of the palates, a Harem and houses. Built in 1457, is there also the Mausolée of Azam and Mu' Assam, the brothers builders of Sarkhej. The buildings, with the austere beauty, of Hindu and Islamic mixed style, are remarkable for their absence of arcs and the use of carved stone panels.

Dutch established in 1620 there a factory of production of Indigo.

Publications

Concepts off Space in Traditional Indian Structures/Yatin Pandya. Ahmedabad, Mapin, 2005,148 p. ISBN 81-88204-26-9.

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