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| Safa Masjid, Belgaum Fort,KA asidharwadcircle.in |
The Safa Masjid, located within the historic Belgaum Fort in Karnataka, is one of two prominent mosques situated within its walls—the other being the Jamia Masjid. Among the two, the Safa Masjid is the more frequented by the local Muslim community and holds significant historical and architectural value. Completed in 1519 CE by Asad Khan Lari, a Persian noble and military officer under the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, the mosque bears a Persian inscription that attests to its construction.
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Safa Masjid, Belgaum Fort,commons.wikimedia.org
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Architecturally, the Safa Masjid is a fine example of Indo-Islamic synthesis, with notable influences from local and Persian traditions. Its pillars are particularly remarkable, bearing intricate carvings and inscriptions that reflect a fusion of Nagari and Persian styles. Uniquely, two of the pillars are believed to have been repurposed from pre-existing Hindu temples, a practice common during the period, demonstrating both continuity and transformation in architectural heritage. One of these pillars, dated 1199 CE, is attributed to Ratta King Kartaveerya IV, while the other, dated 1261 CE, is credited to Sevuna (Yadava) ruler Krishna. Both pillars carry Kannada inscriptions in Nāgarī script, offering valuable epigraphic evidence of the region’s layered history.
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