Sola Khamba (16 Pillars Tomb)

Sola Khamba fast facts

• Also known as- Shaikh ala- Al- Din’s tomb

• Year of completion- 1660

• Built by- Shaikh Ala-al-Din's (overseer of Moin- ud-din-Chisti)

• Situated- exterior of Chisti Dargah, Bhardeshwar Ajmer Rajasthan

• Best to visit- October to March

• Nearest terminals

By Air- Swai Mansingh International Airport

By Rail- Ajmer Railway station

By Road- Ajmer. There are transport options of cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws and horse driven Tongas as well as there are also Tempos that ferry visitor from the bus stand to the nearest railway station for which they charge a neglible fare.

Overview- Sola Kambha, according to records available one of the oldest mosques in India. This edifice of the monument was constructed in white marble with its minarets at each corner. The distinguishing feature of the monument is the trio of cusped arches that led to the flat roof of the mosque. This place of worship gets its name from the sixteen pillars that support the main roof of the building. The cusped arches are a rarity as far as construction styles are concerned and the construction is based on a courtyard plan with a portico on the eastern side. The architectural style of the monument bears distinctive influence with local Jain and Hindu temples. The outward projections of this building seem to bear distinctiveness to the styles and the Umayyad architecture that provides a vital link between the Muslims and the Arabs who very much influenced the building in this area. Though the southern wall of the monument lies in disrepair the northern part of the temple is still intact. Entering the main portico of the temple one can also come across traces of later addition that were made to the temple. According to experts an altar found on the southern portion of the portico suggests the mosque may also been used as a temple. Three of the columns of the northern side of the portico appeared to be removed to make space for an entrance that must have been done when the monument was a temple. An interesting feature of the temple is the portico with a band of floral decorations atop. This pattern of decoration for a monument can found on many Ashokan columns.

Facts suggest that this monument was built during the times of Emperor Aurangzeb. However he was not involved in the construction and the building of this mosque. Shaikh Ala-al-Din the overseer of the Moin-ud-din-Chisti built his own tomb.