Built by Sheikh Ibrahim, the nephew of Sheikh Salim
Chishti and son of his elder brother Sheikh Musa, this mosque is made up
of red sandstone. Sheikh Ibrahim was appointed the governor of Agra in
1585 and was in charge of Fatehpur Sikri. The mosque has an open
courtyard in front. Its façade has five cusped arches. It has
flat roof surrounded by a parapet. The interiors of the mosque has
single row of columns adorned with Hindu motifs. The mosque is northward
oriented.
The unique feature of the mosque lied in its mihrab, which has arched
openings. Its southern wall has a large window, which has now been
closed. A small balcony on the northeastern side marks the indigenous
influence of Hindu architecture. Following the Persian tradition, the
mosque presents a number of messages and good advices inscribed or
penned with black ink on the red sandstone wall. These have been the
legacies of the people who wanted to leave some record of their names in
this manner.
A pillared verandah surrounds this tomb and small stone eaves and
parapets grace the roof. The dome surmounting the roof rests on an
octagonal base with inverted lotus on the top. White marble pinnacles
can be seen both at the tomb and the mosque. The exteriors of the tomb
are paneled with engrailed niches. The small stone fence enclosing the
tomb is so delicately and intricately designed like woodwork and has
miniature battlement on its top. It is the best railing found in
Fatehpur Sikri.
A short write up on the Mosque of Shaikh
Ibrahim Fatehpur Sikri, India.