AVMS

Overview

Jhulta Minara, popularly known as the Shaking Minarets, is one of Ahmedabad’s most distinctive surviving examples of medieval Indo-Islamic architecture. The monument is associated with the historic Sidi Bashir Mosque, believed to have been constructed in the fifteenth century. Ahmedabad was then an important centre of the Gujarat Sultanate, where regional craftsmanship and Islamic architectural traditions developed together.

The mosque is traditionally dated to around 1452 CE, although historical accounts differ regarding its patronage. Some attribute its construction to Sidi Bashir, associated with Sultan Ahmed Shah, while others connect it with Malik Sarang, a noble in the court of Sultan Mahmud Begada. The original mosque suffered extensive destruction during the conflict of 1753, leaving the central arched gateway and its remarkable pair of minarets as the best-known surviving elements. The monument derives its fame from the unusual vibration associated with its minarets. Historical observations report that movement in one tower could produce vibrations in the other, while the connecting passage remained comparatively stable. The precise structural mechanism has attracted considerable interest, but visitors are no longer permitted to shake the minarets as a demonstration. Its surviving fabric provides an important record of Ahmedabad’s Sultanate-era architectural heritage.

Architecture

The surviving structure consists primarily of a central arched gateway flanked by two tall, three-storeyed stone minarets. Each minaret features projecting balconies, carved bands and finely worked ornamental details. The vertical arrangement of the towers, combined with their tiered galleries, gives the monument a distinctive profile within the urban landscape near Ahmedabad Junction. The minarets demonstrate the sophisticated stonework and structural experimentation associated with medieval Gujarat. Their carved surfaces reflect the decorative traditions of Indo-Islamic architecture, while the layered construction is often discussed in connection with their reported vibration. The precise engineering explanation remains uncertain, and the monument should not be described as definitively designed for earthquake protection.

Despite the loss of the larger mosque complex, the surviving gateway and minarets retain considerable architectural and historical value. They illustrate the craftsmanship of the period and the importance of conserving even fragmentary monuments that preserve evidence of India’s architectural past.

How to Reach

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By Road

Ahmedabad is well connected by road with major cities of Gujarat and neighbouring states through National Highway 48 (NH 48), National Highway 47 (NH 47) and National Highway 147 (NH 147), along with the city's arterial road network. The city is approximately 115 km from Vadodara and 270 km from Rajkot. Regular Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses, private buses, taxis, and app-based cab services are available. Jhulta Minara is situated near Sarangpur Darwaja and Kalupur, close to Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station. Visitors can reach the monument by local auto-rickshaw or taxi, although the final approach may involve walking through busy streets.

By Train

Ahmedabad Junction (Kalupur Railway Station) is the nearest major railway station, located within a short distance of the surviving minarets. The station provides extensive rail connections with major Indian cities. Visitors can reach the monument on foot or by local auto-rickshaw from the station, depending on the chosen approach and local access conditions.

By Air

The nearest airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, approximately 9–12 km from Jhulta Minara, depending on the route. The airport offers domestic and international flight connections. Taxis and app-based cab services are available for the onward journey to the Kalupur area of Ahmedabad.