Nagina Masjid, Champaner, Islamic monument in Champaner, India
Nagina Masjid is a mosque in Champaner featuring three large domes above its main prayer hall, supported by decorative columns and ornate windows. The structure is elevated on a platform and displays intricate architectural details throughout its design.
The structure was commissioned in the 15th century by Sultan Mahmud Begada when Champaner served as Gujarat's capital. The subsequent conquest by Mughal Emperor Humayun transformed the region significantly.
The name Nagina means "Jewel Mosque", after the Persian word for a gem. The building is a former mosque, now a heritage site within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, and is listed by the Baroda Heritage Trust among the park's 114 monuments. Its carved floral niches and geometric motifs at platform level are details a visitor can spot.
The mosque is a former place of worship, now a heritage monument within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, so there is no prayer area in use. It stands on a high plinth reached by narrow stairs, with an open courtyard in front; the ground is uneven. It lies about 1.21 km south of the citadel and 550 m north of the Bhadr, with roads built to reach it after Burgess and Cousens described it.
The building features a two-story prayer area with an internal balcony, an unusual design for mosques of this period. This layout allowed the space to accommodate more worshippers at once.
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