Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/300

 256 INDIAN SARACENIC ARCHITECTURE. BOOK VII. brick whereas at Jaunpur, for instance, light pillars carried horizontal architraves and flat ceilings. The general character of the style will be seen in the example from a mosque called the Qadam-i-Rasul at the south- east gate of the fort at Gaur, and is by no means devoid of architectural merit (Woodcut No. 405 ). 1 The solidity of the supports go far to redeem the inherent weakness of brick archi- 405. Qadam-i-Rasul Mosque, Gaur. (From a Photograph.) tecture, and by giving the arches a firm base to start from, prevents the smallness of their parts from injuring the general effect. The fagade is relieved by horizontal mouldings and panels of moulded brick, whilst string-courses of the same extend its whole length. It also presents, though in a very subdued form, the curvilinear form of the roof, which is so characteristic of the style. 1 It was built by Nasrat Shah, A.D. 1 53> to contain a stone brought by his father Husain Shah (1493-1519) from Mecca, bearing the supposed impression of Muhammad's foot qadam-i-rastil) which is revered by Moslims.