Jhuta Minar is in Ahmedabad.
The Jhuta Minar is a unique structure that has left architects and historians scratching their heads for centuries. If you shake one of the minarets, the other one will start shaking too, but the connecting passage between them stays still as a statue. That’s why the locals call it the Jhulta Minar, or the swinging minaret.
The minarets are over 500 years old and located in the Sakar Bazar of Ahmedabad. They were originally meant to be the entrance of the Sidi Bashir Mosque, but the mosque was destroyed during a war. Apparently, even the British were stumped by the movement of the minarets during the Raj era. One guy was so confused that he almost had the minarets taken down! Can you imagine?
The history of the construction of the minarets is shrouded in mystery. There are two stories – one says that they were built by Sultan Ahmed Shah’s slave, Sidi Bashir, while the other claims that a noble in the court of Muhammed Begada, Malik Sarang, built them. The style and materials used suggest that they were built in 1511 or later, but unfortunately, all records were lost when the mosque was destroyed.
Despite the confusion over their origins, the Jhuta Minar is a testament to the architectural craftsmanship of medieval India. They’re constructed in the Gothic Muslim manner with Rajputana influences, and the balconies made of stone are well-balanced and breathtaking. The minaret is 34 meters long with three storeys and a staircase running through the middle. It’s like a medieval version of a high-rise building!
Legend has it that the minarets were designed to withstand natural catastrophes like earthquakes. Applying a small amount of force on the upper arch of the mosque would cause all the minarets to shake simultaneously, thereby avoiding damage to the mosque. It’s like a built-in safety feature!
If you’re interested in seeing other shaking minarets, there are some located near Ahmedabad’s Railway Station and in Isfahan, Iran. But let’s be real, the Jhuta Minar is the real star of the show. Plus, it’s conveniently located close to Kalupur Railway Station, so you can easily catch a bus, shared auto or hire a private auto rickshaw to get there.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, grab your camera, and head on over to the Jhuta Minar. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to solve the mystery of the shaking minarets!