| Building Name: | Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb |
| Map Type: | India Delhi#India |
| Location: | New Delhi |
| Geo: | 28.5625°N 77.2178°W |
| Province: | Delhi |
| Territory: | Delhi |
| District: | New Delhi |
| Country: | India |
| Consecration Year: | 16th century |
| Status: | Mosque |
| Leadership: | Sikander Lodi, Babar and Humayun |
| Architect: | Saint Shaikh Fazlullah also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh |
| Architecture Type: | Mosque and Tomb |
| Architecture Style: | Religious |
| Year Completed: | 1528 and 1536 |
| Materials: | Red sandstone with Marble facing |
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, located in the Archaeological Village complex in Mehrauli, Delhi, India, comprise two monuments adjacent to each other; one is the mosque and the other is the tomb of Jamali and Kamali. Their names are tagged together as "Jamali Kamali" for the mosque as well as the tomb since they are buried adjacent to each other. The mosque and the tomb were constructed in 1528-1529, and Jamali was buried in the tomb after his death in 1535.[1]
Mehrauli urban village where the monument is located is approachable from all parts of Delhi by well laid out roads and transport system. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is 18km (11miles) away and the New Delhi Railway Station and Nizamuddin Railway Station are respectively 17km (11miles), and 16km (10miles) away. The nearest metro station is Qutab Minar.
The practice of Friday prayers is barred in such monuments classified by the body under the category of "non-living heritage structures".[2]
"Jamali" was the alias given to Shaikh Fazlu'llah, also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh or Jalal Khan, a renowned Sufi saint who lived during Lodi Dynasty and the Mughal Dynasty, a period from the rule of Sikander Lodi to that of Babur and Humayun.
The name "Jamali" is Urdu, though originates from "Jamal" which means "beauty". Jamali was a popular poet who traveled widely around Asia and the Middle East. He became court poet during Lodi Dynasty rule and continued to enjoy the patronage of the Mughal rulers, Babur and his son Humayun. His poetry mirrored Persian mysticism of the times. His two popular works are The Sun and Moon and The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics. It is said that his tomb was completed during Humayun's rule.
Kamali was an unknown individual who served as Jamali's disciple.
The Jamali Kamali mosque, positioned in an enclosed garden area, built first during the years 1528-29, has a southern entry. It is built in red sandstone with marble embellishments. It is claimed to be a forerunner in the design of Mughal mosque architecture in India. The prayer hall, fronted by a large courtyard, has five arches with the central arch only having a dome. The size of arches increases towards the central arch, which is the largest of the five arches embellished with beautiful ornamentation. The spandrels of the arch are decorated with medallions and ornamentation. Fluted pilasters exquisitely decorate the central arch. The prayer wall on the west has niches with mihrab. The niches and walls are decorated with a few Koranic inscriptions. A porch around the mosque provides access to the two storied mosque and the four corners are adorned by octagonal towers. The rear end of the mosque has been provided with oriel windows, apart from a small window on the central arch.[1]
The tomb of Jamali-Kamali is a decorated 7.6m (24.9feet) square structure with a flat roof, located adjacent to the mosque on its northern side. Inside the chamber, the flat ceiling is plastered and ornately decorated. It is painted in red and blue with some Koranic inscriptions, and the walls are adorned with inlaid coloured tiles inscribed with Jamali's poems. The decorations in the tomb have been described as giving the impression of "stepping into a jewel box". In the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb the tomb chamber has two marble graves: one of Jamali, the saint poet and the other of Kamali. The reason for the Kamali name could probably be that it rhymes well with Jamali.[1] [3]
The monument is well maintained and provides a very serene atmosphere.[3] Conservation of the monuments has been undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It is one of the 172 monuments under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Archaeological circle, of ASI, identified for restoration. An amount of ₹1.5 million (US$30,000) has been proposed for this purpose.[1]