Jamali was the pseudonym of Sheikh Hamid bin Fazlu’llah who was also known as Sheikh Jamal-ud-din Kamboh Dehlawi aka Jalal Khan who was a Sufi saint known for his poetry. During the reign of Sultan Sikandar Lodi, who ruled from1489 AD to 1517 AD, he came to India and settled in Delhi.
Jamali comes from Urdu word ‘Jamal’ which is meant by beauty and positivity. Impressed by his poetry and seeing the beauty in his words, he was given the nickname. Born to a Sunni merchant family, Jamali was later introduced to Sufism by Sheikh Sama-ud-din. Jamali traveled all across Asia and the Middle East and became one of the most popular Poets during that era.
He was a disciple of Sheikh Sama-ud-din, who was another Sufi poet. Entranced by the beauty of his poems, even Sikandar Lodi used to get his work corrected by him. Jamali was offered a place in the court of the Mughals after they conquered India, and remained there during the reign of Babar and Humayun, until his death.
Jamali was buried in the tomb, which was apparently built by Humayun beside the mosque, after his death in 1535.
It is a complete mystery who Kamali was. “Kamal” in Urdu means miracle. There are many assumptions on who he was, each rather gravely different from the other. It is said that he was Jamali’s disciple, or another Sufi poet, or his brother, or maybe just a castle servant.
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An American author named Karen Chase even wrote a book on them called “Jamali- Kamali, A Tale of Passion in Mughal India” where she hinged on the fact that they were homosexual partners. But a more believable story is that Kamali was actually Jamali’s wife, who died first and was buried in the tomb. Upon the death of Jamali, Humayun had him buried right next to his wife.
Jamali is even today known for two of his most famous and popular works which are named ‘The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics‘ and ‘The Sun and Moon‘.
About Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, built in 1528-1529 during the reign of Babur, is located in the Archaeological Village complex in Mehrauli, Delhi. It comprises two monuments adjacent to each other. One monument is the mosque and the other, within the mosque, built in a separate area, is the tomb of two people of the names Jamali and Kamali.
The tomb and mosque present in the site have been together named as “Jamali Kamali” because both people were buried next to each other. It actually shares the boundary with Qutub Minar premises, yet it is another archaeological site that very few people know about.
The Jamali Kamali Mosque, positioned in an enclosed garden area, is built in red sandstone with white marble embellishments. The mosque has a single central dome and is elaborately ornate accompanied with stucco work depicting a blend of the architectural styles of Moth Ki Masjid and Sher Shah Mosque.
It is considered to lay the foundation to the great Mughal architectural style and also introduced something which is missing in other earlier monuments, the Jharokha system. There are eye-catching verses which are inscribed on the wall, composed by the Sufi saint Jamali himself, which greatly enhances the beauty of the mosque. This mosque portrays the architectural brilliance that is seen in the early Mughal Period.
Inside the mosque, there is a prayer hall, where prayers do not take place anymore in order to protect the monument from even more vandalism, in front of which is a large courtyard with five arches on thick piers which displays the impeccable architectural style.
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Only the central arch, which is the largest of the five arches, has a dome and is embellished with beautiful ornamentation. The square chamber which depicts ornate stucco work has a very exquisite interior decor.
The exterior, however, is dressed in stunning tiles which are blue colored and they are engraved with beautiful verses which were composed by Saint Jamali himself. It is one of the most serene and peaceful sights if the city of New Delhi.
The Tomb of Jamali Kamali and the Mosque are protected and maintained by ASI (the Archaeological Survey of India) and an amount of Rs. 15, 00,000 has been funded by the Government to restore and conserve these monuments which hold our national heritage and precious ancient masterpieces. Tourists and visitors can visit the Mosque and Tomb of Jamali Kamali on all days. It has no fee and photography is also free.
The Haunted Story of Jamali Kamali
The Jamali Kamali has a glorious history attached to it. But sadly enough, the glory has seen to be forgotten as the emergence of Jamali Kamali haunted story. This site is associated with haunting stories of the past and many unexplainable phenomena of white visions, eerie sounds, and an uncanny feeling that someone is present next to you.
There is numerous Jamali Kamali haunted story about ghosts and Jinns who are believed to reside within Jamali Kamali. Apparently, some people claim to have experienced sightings of lights, apparitions, animals growling and a feeling that there is someone else standing right next to you.
Sometimes, people feel that a person peeking from behind a pillar but when they actually walk over to it, they can not find anyone there. Some people, allegedly felt wisps of air being breathed down on their neck and heard sounds of laughing voices. Others claim to have been slapped by invisible forces.
On being questioned, a security guard on duty said that he had been at the mosque several times on duty, both in the day as well as night. However, he never felt any paranormal or uncanny activity and insists that they are made up stories for the pure entertainment of people.
Although these various Jamali Kamali haunted stories seem true, they probably are not, as if one visits the mosque, the only destruction seen are caused by humans, not ghosts, as scribbled names and other acts of vandalism caused by people are visible all over the Jamali Kamali Masjid and tomb.
The Jamali Kamali haunted place is the staircases, as well as the tombs, have been locked down due to this reason. The mosque does not get the attention that it certainly deserves, and when it does, they are for the wrong reasons.
Even the Friday prayers as well as assembly gatherings have also been prohibited within the Mosque in order to protect, secure, and conserve of whatever is left of the once beautifully built monument.
How to Reach The Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb
One can reach the Jamali Kamali in Mehrauli quite easily. There are several options by which you can travel to the place. The nearest airport from the Jamali Kamali location is the Indira Gandhi International Airport which is almost about 15 kilometers away from the place. If you are traveling by car, it will take under an hour to reach this masjid in Delhi. Few of the ways are given below with the approximate distance between the nearest airport and the site:
The Address of Jamali Kamali
The Jamali Kamali address where the place is located is Mehrauli Archeological Park Trail, Christian Colony, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110016, India.
The Nearest Metro Station
The Nearest Metro Station from the Jamali Kamali Masjid Delhi is Qutab Minar metro station on the yellow line of a map. One can easily hire an autorickshaw from here to reach the site. The Qutub Minar metro station is just 0.7 km and Chatarpur Metro Station is just 1.9 km away from the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb.
Timing
The Jamali Kamali mosque is open from 10 am to 6 pm. The usual time taken to visit the mosque is around an hour. The entry is absolutely free of charge. The most popular time to visit is around 11 am to 12 pm. The site is relatively quite unpopular, so it is not that crowded.
Things to do Around The Jamali Kamali Mosque And Tomb
There are an ample amount of things to do after you have finished visiting the mosque. The Archaeological Park is huge and filled with historical monuments and lush greens. One can simply just hang out in the park with their family. It is very children friendly and safe. There are many places to go from here where the environment is serene and peaceful from the rest of the city of Delhi. Just outside the Jamila Kamila
Mosque and in fact, all over the Mehrauli park, you can find several other tombs of different people, which are now just disintegrating stones and walls crumbling down and exposing the graves that were once inside these tombs. Few places to venture into after visiting the mosque are:
- The Tomb of Mohd Quli Khan, which is 0.3 km away from the mosque, is an offbeat, beautiful and quiet place. Muhammad Quli Khan is said to be the son of Maham Anga, emperor Akbar’s foster mother.
- The Azim Khan Tomb, which is again around 0.3 km away. Azim Khan general of the Mughal Army. This tomb is also included into the lists of Indian Monuments of National Importance.
- The Garden of Five Senses is around a kilometer away from the site. It is a stunning and well-kept garden where you can lounge around with your friends. It is one of the most unique gardens which strives to ensure that one has an immersive experience to utilize all their senses and experience nature.
- The Quila Rai Pithora was originally known as Lak Kot which is around 0.4 km away. Ruins of this fort can be seen in parts of South Delhi at Saket, Jamali Kamali Mehrauli, and around the Qutub complex.
- The Iron Pillar, around 0.5 km away from this masjid, is said to be an object too advanced for its time. This 1,600-year-old pillar was moved to India over 1,000 years ago and placed in a Mosque and doesn’t rust. The pillar actually carries several numerous graffitis and inscriptions of different dates.
There are many more historical monuments that can be visited in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The entrance of Qutub Minar is also just 500 meters from the initial site. The mosque alone is one of the most beautiful and historically important monuments of Delhi as well as our country, India.
