Monuments at Champaner

Located on the banks of the Vada Talav, Kabutarkhana near Champaner (47 km from Vadodara) offers some splendid views of the Pavagadh Hill. 

Pic credit: Rachit Mankad

Pic credit: Rachit Mankad

Pic credit: Rachit Mankad

Pic credit: Rachit Mankad

Pic credit: Rachit Mankad

Some of the other monuments at Champaner listed on the Archaeological Survey of India's website are:

Jami Masjid

It is one of the finest mosques of Gujarat. This is a gigantic structure with two imposing minars on either side of the central entrance to the prayer hall. The dome behind the high central screen of the façade is elevated on two extra storeys of open arcades. The roof just behind this dome is filled by a carved slab of great beauty and ingenuity of workmanship. There are seven mehrabs (prayer niches) in the back wall of the main prayer hall, the central being more elaborated. The northern section of prayer hall was separated by a perforated screen, reserved for ladies from where an extra entrance was provided. A pillared corridor goes round the vast court yard opening inside in ogival arches supported by pillars. The Mosque has three entrance porches to courtyard but the eastern porch is most remarkable for its intricate carving and Jaali work. Outside the mosque, there is an octagonal tank with steps for ablutions. Construction of mosque is datable to late 15th century A.D.

Kevda Masjid and Cenotaph

It is rectangular on plan with a double storeyed main prayer hall. The two minarets on either side of the central arched entrance are beautifully carved and niches are filled with floral and geometrical designs. The windows provided with pillared balcony are beautiful and exquisitely decorated. Originally the mosque had three domes built above the prayer hall but the largest central dome has collapsed. The complex also comprises of a well, tank for ablutions and a few ruined brick structures.The square cenotaph located in front of the mosque has fluted central dome and four corner domes.

Nagina Masjid and Cenotaph

It is a huge structure built on a high platform with large open space in front. The main entrance of the mosque is flanked by minarets on either side the minarets are carved artistically and the niches are filled with floral designs. He Mosque has three large domes constructed over the main prayer hall supported by decorative columns and windows.

The double storeyed central dome of main prayer hall is provided with balcony. The complex of mosque also comprises of a few brick structures, well etc.

The cenotaph located on north eastern side of the mosque has openings on all cardinal directions. Façade as well as the columns and niches on the wall of the cenotaph are beautifully decorated and exquisitely carved with floral and geometrical designs. A series of beautifully designed projecting corbels decorate the cornice, with geometric motifs at regular intervals. These motifs are repeated on the base, both inside and outside. The dome of cenotaph is missing.

Lila Gumbaj Ki Masjid

It stands on a high platform. The façade has an arched central entrance and two lateral ones. The main arch is flanked by minarets patterned at regular intervals by horizontal cornices and mouldings decorated with niches. The three mehrabs of the prayer hall are embellished with floral motifs and hanging kalash at the centre. It has three domes, the central dome is fluted which was once coloured. Originally it had three entrances on east south and north. There is a rectangular tank for ablutions on north- east corner beyond the platform and a deep drain passes along its front. 

Sahar Ki Masjid

It is one of the most imposing structures constructed very close to the royal enclosure. It might be the private Masjid of the Sultans with five mehrabs. The main entrance is through an arched doorway flanked by two minarets. It is covered by a projection, sloped chhajja. Two more entries on either side of the central one are flanked by jharokhas. Corresponding to each arched entry is a large dome, surrounded on all its four sides by smaller domes. A rectangular ablutions tank was constructed on a platform.

Bawaman Mosque

It is located on the Western side of the fort gate. The Mosque is named after a saint Bawaman follower of Sadan Shah. It is built on a high plinth surmounted by a minaret and three large domes. There are three mehrabs in the back wall. The Mosque has three arched entrances, structural remains and small ablution tanks are visible outside the Mosque.

Kamani Masjid

This Masjid is known as Kamani Masjid because of the architectural feature of its pillared hall which is full of arches. The central hall is roofed by a marble dome decorated with glazed tiles.

Sikandar Shah’s Tomb, Halol

The Tomb of Sikandar Shah, the last ruler of Champaner, who was assassinated by Imad-ul-Mulk, Khusqadam in 1526 A.D and buried here, is a beautiful stone structure, which consist of a central chamber and entrance porches with fluted domes. The brick dome of central chamber and the side chamber has collapsed. Sikandar shah’s brother Latifkhan and Nasirkhan were also buried here. The structure is very simple but the brackets, plinth base and finial of the dome are elaborately carved with floral and geometrical patterns.

Ek-Minar Ki Masjid

It stands on a high plinth. Only one minaret and portain of the wall are surviving rest of the architectural members are missing. It was constructed by king Bahadur Shah (1526-36 A.D.).

Sakar Khan’s Dargah, Halol

It is the largest mausoleum in the old city of Champaner. The Dargah named after Sakar Khan, stands on a low plinth and has a large dome, its façade has windows.

Mandvi or Custom House

It is a well proportionate square structure situated in the middle of the fort of Champaner. The main purpose of constructing this structure is to separate the royal enclosure from other areas. During the reign of Marathas, this structure was used as Octoroi or Custom House. Made of dressed stone, it seems to be originally six bays deep and five bays wide.

Makai Kothar

It is a three domed structure. Overlooking a deep valley, the structure was used for storing maize for the garrison.

Navlakha Kothar

It is a massive brick structure, overlooking a steep cliff called Navlakha Kothar. The structure was used storing grains.

Tomb near Panch Mahuda-Ki Masjid, Halol

It is a rectangular structure having four arched entrance flanked by two smaller ones on cardinal direction. It is built on a high plinth with two corner minarets.

Panch- Mahuda-Ki Masjid, Halol

It is built on a high platform. Masjid is ruined in condition, only corner minarets are visible.

City Gate

It is a well preserved gate with an arch, which projects from the fortification wall, running north-south. Originally this gate was double storeyed.

Citadel Walls

The citadel walls, running north-south have numerous bastions. Four of its gates are in good condition. All these gates were originally double storeyed and provided with watch and ward rooms.

City Walls at the S.E. Corner of the Citadel going up the hills

This is a part of the citadel wall of ashlars stone masonry, having four intact bastions.

East and South Bhadra gates

These gates are the part of citadel wall, built by Mahmud Begda. The south gate is a massive one of rectangular plan. The eastern gate has also an identical plan. They are known as Halol & Godhra gate respectively.

Fort of Pavagadh and the ruined Hindu and Jain Temples on the top of the Pavagadh Hill

Pavagadh hill was a famous Hindu fortress under the Solanki kings of Gujarat followed by Khichi Chauhan. They belong to Hindu sect and constructed numerous religious structures. Among the notable monument located on the mauliya plateau, the earliest temple datable to 10th -11th century is dedicated to Lakulisa of which only gudhamandapa and part of antarala is extant. Other temples belong to Hindu and Jain sects and are datable to circa 13th -15th century A.D. All the temples are of the Nagara style having garbhagriha, mandapa and entrance porch.

Gate No. 1 Atak gate (with two gateways)

The ancient Rajputs fort on the Pavagadh hill has three lines of defence one above the other. The first line of defence is entered through the Atak gate. It is a double storeyed structure with catapults datable to 13th century A.D.

Gate No. 2 Budhiya gate (with three gateways)

The western end of the Rajput fort on the Pavagadh hill after terminating near the Khaprakodia watch tower runs further east-west with its main gate lying sandwiched at Budhiya gate. It was built in the 13th century A.D.

Gate No. 3 Moti gate or Sadanshah gate

Machi has four gates each built at successively lower level and joined by massive battlements. These are double gates. The Moti gate represents the second line of defence which is most formidable Sadan Shah Gate is cut through solid rock on the top of which occur tall walls & bastions of circa 13th century A.D.

Gate No. 4 with big bastions and cells in the interior

The third line of defence passes through this gate, which has a winding passage cut through the solid rock, crowded by towering walls and bastions of circa 13th century A.D.

Gate No. 5 Gulan-Bulan gate

This gate is the portion of the fortification on the ridge behind the Sat Manzil. It is datable to circa 13th century A.D.

Gate No. 6 Buland Darwaja

This gate is located on the hill near Makai Kothar having strong defences on either side. It is datable to circa 13th century A.D. 

Gate No. 7 Makai gate

It is located in between gate No. 6 & 8. it is similar to other gates with a true arch, solid bastions and defence wall on both sides datable to circa 13th century A.D.

Gate No. 8 Tarapore gate

It is the lower most gate of the lower citadel. It has an arched opening and was originally double storeyed. It is datable to 13th century A.D.

Helical Stepped Well

The Helical stepped well made of bricks and stone paved steps consists of an entrance which leads to the stairway attached to the wall of the shaft and descends down wards like the coil of a snake. The steps of this stairway are 1.20 mts in width. The stepped well surrounded by 1 mts high parapet wall is datable to circa 16th century A.D. The three distinct typologies of stepped well – spiral, linear and composite – enjoyed an eminent status in architectural development of the period. 

Kabutarkhana Pavilion

This is a small brick structure with lime plaster built by the side of Vada Talav. It served as a sarai.

Mint above gate No. 4

It is a small structure supposed to be utilized as a Mint datable to circa 15th century A.D.

Patai Rawal’s Palace with Tank

The ruins of the palace of King Jai Singh last of Patai Rawal’s family lie to the south-east of the Machi plateau. Clearance has revealed that the rooms of the palace were built of rubble, plastered with lime. The palace complex also contains some water cisterns with cover. It is datable to circa 13th century A.D.

Sat Manzil with steps right up to bastion on top

It is a seven storey building of circa 15th century A.D. in which four storeys are at the end while the remaining ones run along the cliff with a stone staircase.

Three Cells

The structure, situated within the fort-walls, was probably constructed during the reign of Mahmud Begada (A.D. 1459-1511) for keeping prisoners.

Tomb with a brick dome in the centre and small corner domes

The tomb has a square domed chamber raised on ashlar masonry plinth. The tomb is built of bricks. It is one of the few brick built tombs of Gujarat. It has four arched openings on the four sides. The top is roofed by a central dome, flanked by four corner domes has plastered with lime masonry brick. The central dome is almost plain from inside while its four corners are adorned by series of squinches. The outer plinth has decorated mouldings. 

Walls of fort on top

The fort walls are of ashlar masonry dates from circa 13th century A.D.