The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c30.s1.45.1

v3.c30.s1.45.1

Another mosque belonging to the reign of Sultān Ibrāhīm (1401–40) was built by two governors of Jaunpur, Maliks Khālis and Mukhlis, who have given their names to it; and a third was the *Jhanjhrī Masjid* erected by Ibrāhīm himself in honour of Hazrat Sa'īd Sadr Jahān Ajmālī. The former is a simple plain structure, devoid of ornament and invested with little architectural interest. Of the latter only the main propylon screen is now standing,—the rest having, it is said, been to a large extent destroyed by Sikandar Lodī. Yet even from this mutilated fragment it is evident that the *Jhanjhrī Masjid*, though smaller in scale, was very similar in design to the Atala;—so much so, indeed, that there seems every probability of its having been the creation of the same architect. Who this architect,—the father of the Jaunpur style,—was is not known, but he was certainly gifted with an originality and good taste far beyond that of his successors, who built the *Lāl Darwāza* and *Jāmi' Masjids*. The first of these, which dates from the reign of Mahmūd Shāh (1440–56), is, indeed, but a small and pale edition of the Atala. True, there are differences between them. The style of the *Lāl Darwāza* is more markedly Hindu; its cloisters are only one storey in height by two bays in depth; the prayer chamber is provided with one instead of three domes; the ladies' galleries are placed alongside the central hall;