Sola Khamba, Ajmer, Rajasthan India

Sola Khamba (16 Pillers) contains 16 pillars to support its roof, the Sola Khamba is the tomb of Shaikh Ala-al-Din, the saint was also the supervisor of the shrine of Khwaja Moin-Ud-Din Chisti. Sola Khamba was built during the reign of Aurangzeb. Sola Khamba is situated outside the Chisti Dargah. Sola Khamba constructed beginning of years 1659.

This beautiful monument has been made with white marble and has curves with four slender minarets coming up from all corners. The unique attribute of the structural design of the place is the trio of cusped arches that leads to the flat roof of the structure. This having the entrance at its eastern side.

Sola Kambha, according to records available one of the oldest mosques in India. This edifice of the monument was constructed in white marble with its minarets at each corner. The distinguishing feature of the monument is the trio of cusped arches that led to the flat roof of the mosque. This place of worship gets its name from the sixteen pillars that support the main roof of the building. The cusped arches are a rarity as far as construction styles are concerned and the construction is based on a courtyard plan with a portico on the eastern side. The architectural style of the monument bears distinctive influence with local Jain and Hindu temples. The outward projections of this building seem to bear distinctiveness to the styles and the Umayyad architecture that provides a vital link between the Muslims and the Arabs who very much influenced the building in this area. Though the southern wall of the monument lies in disrepair the northern part of the temple is still intact. Entering the main portico of the temple one can also come across traces of later addition that were made to the temple. According to experts an altar found on the southern portion of the portico suggests the mosque may also been used as a temple. Three of the columns of the northern side of the portico appeared to be removed to make space for an entrance that must have been done when the monument was a temple. An interesting feature of the temple is the portico with a band of floral decorations atop. This pattern of decoration for a monument can found on many Ashokan columns.

Facts suggest that this monument was built during the times of Emperor Aurangzeb. However he was not involved in the construction and the building of this mosque. Shaikh Ala-al-Din the overseer of the Moin-ud-din-Chisti built his own tomb.