Ethiopians have never ceased to amuse the world with their all-round historical achievements, particularly on how they made it to the top of world-class architecture, both in and outside Ethiopia. Lalibela, world’s most astounding rock-hewn churches of the 13th C; Fasil Ghebbi, a fortresscity of the 17th C and the monolithic Obelisks of Axum of the 4th C are known to the world.
But Ethiopians were not confined to their legit territory only, but they had also traveled tens of thousands of miles away from home and engineered and built the most eye-candy monuments in India-a marvelous imprint of Ethiopians which is rather little known to the world.
For instance, Naukhanda palace and Neheri Ambar, a palace and an underground water supply system in India, respectively, were designed and realized in 16th century by an Ethiopian kingmaker called Malik Ambar; and Siddi Saiyyed Mosque, which was built by an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) in the 16th century. Since Siddi Saiyyed mosque is the center for this article, for the moment, at least, let me give you a glimpse into it.
Although there is next to nothing written account of Siddi Saiyyed’s personal life, however, what he did build gives an insight into his world-class craftsmanship. He is well credited for building the Siddi Saiyyed Mosque, which he built in the second half of the 16th century. He came to Gujarat, westernmost State in India through Yemen and is said to have later worked for Sultan Nasir Al-ddin Mahmoud III, the last Sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty to rule the Islamic Delhi Sultanate.
The Ethiopian was known as the nobleman who helped the poor and had a large collection of books. He built this magnificent monument during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah III, the last ruler of Gujarat.
He is believed to have been aided by about 45 craftsmen in the process of realizing this astonishing monument, and the mosque was built in an Indo-Islamic style of architecture with minarets on the sides and arched windows. The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, which is entirely arcuated and arguably one of most beautiful and well known mosques in Ahmadabad, and is famous for its latticework on the semicircular arch-windows, has come to symbolize the city and its splendor.
This unique intricately carved stone latticework windows on the side and rear arches, often depict the branches and leaves of trees to stunning effect. The latticework resembles interwoven trees hanging with lofty branches and extensively detailed carvings of flora.
The carvings are sophisticated and assert the highest level of craftsmanship. This intricately carved lattice stone window has become the unofficial symbol of city of Ahmadabad and the inspiration for the design of the logo of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmadabad. The mosque is said to have been used as a Government office during the British imperial rule. Today, there is a community called Siddi or Habeshi-which seems a derivation for Habesha.
Herald December 28/2018
BY BELAY ADUGNA
