Fergusson, James: History of Indian and Eastern architecture (Band 2) (London, 1910)

256

INDIAN SARACENIC ARCHITECTURE. Book VII.

brick—whereas at Jaunpur, for instance, light pillars carried
horizontal architraves and flat ceilings.

The general character of the style will be seen in the
example from a mosque called the Qadam-i-Rasul at the south-
east gate of the fort at Gaur, and is by no means devoid of
architectural merit (Woodcut No. 405).1 The solidity of the
supports go far to redeem the inherent weakness of brick archi-

405. Qadam-l-Rasul Mosque, Gaur. (From a Photograph.)

tecture, and by giving the arches a firm base to start from,
prevents the smallness of their parts from injuring the general
effect. The facade is relieved by horizontal mouldings and
panels of moulded brick, whilst string-courses of the same
extend its whole length. It also presents, though in a very
subdued form, the curvilinear form of the roof, which is so
characteristic of the style.

1 It was built by Nasrat Shih, A.D.
US0) to contain a stone brought by his
father Husain Shah (1493-1519) from

Mecca, bearing the supposed impression
of Muhammad’s foot — qadam-i-rasiV,
which is revered by Moslims.