Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/277

 CHAP. V. GUJARAT. 233 height. In front of these internally is a solid balustrade, which is generally most richly ornamented by carving. Thus arranged, it will be perceived that the necessary amount of light is intro- duced, as in the drum of a Byzantine dome, but in a more artistic manner. The sun's rays can never fall on the floor, or even so low as the head of any one standing there. The light is reflected 390. Section of Diagram explanatory of the Mosques at Ahmadabad. from the external roof into the dome, and perfect ventilation is obtained, with the most pleasing effect of illumination without glare. In order further to guard against the last dreaded con- tingency, in most of these mosques a screen of perforated stone- work was introduced between the outer dwarf columns. These screens were frequently of the most exquisite beauty, and in consequence have very frequently been removed. There are three or four mosques at Ahmadabad, built on the same pattern as that last described, but as the style progressed it became more and more Indian. The arches in front were frequently omitted, and only a screen of columns appeared, supported by two minarets, one at each angle. This system was carried to its greatest extent at Sarkhej, about 5 miles from the city. Muhammad Shah, in A.D. 1446, commenced erecting a tomb (A on Woodcut No. 391) l here, 102 ft. square, in honour of Ahmad Ganj Bakhsh, the friend and adviser of his father. The style of these buildings may be judged of from the woodcut (No. 392, page 235), representing the pavilion of sixteen pillars in front of this tomb (I in Woodcut No. 391). They are of the usual simple outline of the style a tall, square base ; 1 For a measured plan to three times this scale, see ' Archaeological Survey of Western India,' vol. vii. plate 56.