Jhulta Minara (Sidi Bashir Mosque)

Jhulta Minara, the Shaking Minarets, are two tall minarets that survive from the Sidi Bashir Mosque in the Sarangpur area of Ahmedabad's Old City, Gujarat. The rest of the mosque collapsed in 1957, leaving the two towers standing beside a busy road near the railway line. Local tradition holds that if one minaret is gently shaken at the top, the vibration can be felt in the other, and this curiosity is how the monument got its name. Visitors do not need to shake them, and in practice the minarets are usually admired from the ground. The towers are built of sandstone, rising in several storeys with balconies, and they are decorated with carved bands and delicate stonework typical of Gujarat Sultanate architecture. Their slender form contrasts with the modern surroundings, and standing at the base gives a sense of their height. The site is small and open, so a visit takes about 15 to 30 minutes. It is worth seeing for the engineering story as well as the carving, and it sits close to Sarangpur Darwaja and the railway station, making it easy to reach on a wider Old City itinerary. Because the monument is beside a busy street, traffic noise is constant, and the pavement around it can be crowded. Morning is the best time for photographs, with softer light and fewer vehicles. The minarets are a protected monument, so visitors should avoid climbing or shaking them without permission from custodians, and should follow any local instructions. Entry practices vary, so visitors should check on arrival. Dress modestly, since the area is a traditional neighbourhood, and be mindful of belongings in crowded lanes. The site can be combined with the pols of Kalupur and Manek Chowk.