History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c26.s2.17

v2.c26.s2.17

The glory of the mosque, however, is not in these Hindû remains, but in the great range of arches of the screen wall on the western side, extending north and south for about 385 ft., and consisting of three greater and eight smaller arches; the central one 22 ft. wide and 53 ft. high; the larger side-arches 24 ft. 4 in., and about the same height as the central arch; the smaller arches, which are unfortunately much ruined, are about half these dimensions (Woodcut No. 371). The central part of this screen, 147 ft. in length, forming the mosque proper, is ascribed to Qutbu-d-Dîn after his return from Ghaznî. Behind this, at the distance of 32 ft., are the foundations of the wall that formed the back of the mosque, but was only intended, apparently, to be carried as high as the roof of the Hindû pillars it encloses. It seems probable that the Hindû pillars between the two screens were the only part proposed to be roofed in 1196, since some of them are built into the back part of the great arches, and all above them is quite plain and smooth, without the least trace of any intention to construct a vault or roof of any sort. Indeed, a roof is by no means an essential part of a place of prayer; a wall facing Mecca is all that is required, and in India is frequently all that is built, though an enclosure is often added in front to protect the worshippers from interruption. Roofed colonnades are, of course, convenient and ornamental accompaniments, yet far from being indispensable.