Location
Located on the Golconda-Puranapul road at the beginning of Karwan.
Description
Built in the year 1671, during the reign of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah, by his chamberlain Musa Khan ‘Mahaldar’, the Toli Masjid is one of the finest specimens of Late Qutb Shahi style. Built on a 6 foot platform, with a flight of steps on north, south and east, the mosque is divided into two halls – the outer hall has five arched openings while the inner hall has three. Two sixty foot minarets flank the two sides of the mosque, which are ornamented with intricate geometric patterns and calligraphic inscriptions. The façade and interiors of the mosque are decorated with lime plaster carving, much more intricate than those seen on other contemporary structures.
It is said that Musa Khan, who superintended construction of the Mecca Masjid was given a commission of one Toli or Damri, equaling one fourth of a pice per rupee when he constructed the Mecca Masjid. The mosque is so named after the commission the builder received for construction of Mecca Masjid.
Existing Condition
The mosque is in good condition however the stones with inscriptions within the site, as well as the stepwell, have fallen into disrepair.
Archive
References
- Syed Ali Asghar Bilgrami, Landmarks of the Deccan, (Hyderabad: Government Central Press, 1927), pp. 65–67;
- Ghulam Yazdani, “Inscriptions of Qutb Shahi Kings in Hyderabad City and Suburbs,”
- Epigraphia Indo-Moslemica (1917–1918), pp. 43–65.
Contributors
NIUM