Sarkhej Roza: The mystical architectural marvel

There are many spots in Ahmedabad that reflect the true essence of the city. Sarkhej Roza is an exception. At 7 am we started from CEPT University to visit this magnificent place. It is in the town called Makraba which is around 12 km from CEPT University. The road that approaches the structures was bustling with shopkeepers who were about to open their shops.

We reached the main entrance that looked small, with gardens on both the sides and intricate stone carving on it. The moment one enters inside, the magnificence of the structures can be sensed. It includes various structures: ghats, mosque, tombs, patio nurseries, etc addressing the fine Islamic architecture which is influenced by Persian, Hindu and Jain architecture. This place is used to be the home of Sufi Saint Shaikh Ganj Baksh Khattu who was an effective Muslim pioneer. He had proposed to Sultan Ahmed Shah to make his capital close to Sabarmati River.

We learned about the history of the place through brochures and stone carvings. The development of structures happened in the mid fifteenth century from 1451 to 1458 under the control of Sultan Qutubuddin Ahmed Shah II. Later, the finishing touches and minor changes were done when Sultan Mehmud Begada when he came into power. He made his own specific tomb over the Saint's tomb, enhanced the tank and did other finishing touches to give the place a charming appearance.

At first there were beautiful gardens on all sides however all through time the zone contracted because of human settlements and gardens for all intents and purposes vanished into headways. This historic masterpiece has an amazing amalgamation of blueprint and outline of Muslim and Hindu culture and it is exhibited when one examines the ringed curves, segments in the structures. These structures are made from red-sand stone and are the best instance of Hindu craftsmanship and Muslim geometry. It greatly represents the celebrated socio-religious bundle of prominent points of interest.

Sarkhej Roza has regal living arrangements and tombs to remind us the royal living, it moreover houses mosque to satisfy religious inclination and facilities like tank, stage and structure for the welfare of common people. Nowadays, Sarkhej Roza has transformed into a place for recreation and research the chronicled background of Mughal days and the Islamic period. The lake has completely dried up due to hot summers of Ahmedabad and the staircases that led to the lake were looking stranded.

One could see many birds flying on top of the lake and drinking left over water at the lake. However, the lake gets filled with water in monsoons. This place has witnessed various chronicled events since its foundation. Every astounding designing and the loftiness of the place, justify contributing to its vitality.