Page:The Architecture of Ancient Delhi Especially the Buildings Around the Kutb Minar 1872 by Henry Hardy Cole.djvu/140

 96 Shams-ud-din s Gateways and Tomb. extensions of the Juniina Masjid. He holds that the niche (see F on Plan No. II.) in the middle of the wall behind the northern wing, affords evidence to justify this supposition. However, the words of Syud Ahmed are merely : — "The Sultan Shams-ud-din Altamsh wished to enlarge this Mosque, and in 627 a. h. (1229 a.d.) he had three 1 new doorways erected on the north flank and on the south flank, and he increased the area of this Masjid to the outer halls of the Raja Pithora's buildings." The doorways have been ornamented with a carved exterior of red sandstone, and on the surface are engraved verses out of the Koran, some in Xuskh, others in Kufic letters, so as to produce beautiful arabesques and floral patterns. On the left of the central Gate are inscribed the words : " During the months of the year (a.h.) 627," which was the period of erection. The length of the whole range of Gateways of the Jumma Masjid is three hundred and eighty-four feet, and the breadth of the enclosure is four hundred and eighteen feet. The Minar stands in the centre of the length, and at a distance of eleven feet from the Colonnade. (See C on Plan.) It is said by Syud Ahmed that in a.d. 1233, Shams-ud-din having conquered Malwa and Uo-ain, destroyed a temple dedicated to Mahadeva, and brought the images to the Gateways of his Mosque, where he had them destroyed (see page 94). The range of arches on the south flank of the Great Masjid are much ruined. The central opening of twenty-four feet width has lost the upper part of the arch and the arch on the left is in a tottering condition. 1 This is a mistake, originally there were five doors to each.