The Shrine At Ajmer Sharif

This vibrant chromolithograph print depicts the sacred shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most revered Sufi saints. The shrine is located in Ajmer in Northwestern India. The artwork serves both as an homage and a stylized map of the shrine, highlighting the main areas of religious significance in and around the tomb. The central courtyard is rendered in colorful squares, and to the right of the shrine, a grand archway is shown with two minarets and a green flag adorned with a crescent and star. Several key landmarks are labeled in Urdu, including Badi Degh (Big Urn), Chhoti Degh (Small Urn), Sehen Chiragh (Courtyard Lamp), Shahjahani Masjid (Shahjahani Mosque), and Tara Garh (Star Fort).

درگاہ حضرت خواجہ معین الدین چشتی رحمۃ اللہ علیہ اجمیر شریف or The Shrine of the Revered Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, May God's Mercy Be Upon Him, at Ajmer Sharif.

• درگاہ (Dargah): Shrine
• حضرت (Hazrat): Respected
• خواجہ معین الدین چشتی (Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti): The name of the saint
• رحمۃ اللہ علیہ (Rahmatullah Alaihi): May God's mercy be upon him
• اجمیر شریف (Ajmer Sharif): The city of Ajmer, where the shrine is located, with "Sharif" indicating a place of respect or sanctity.

Why We Picked It
The chromolithographic technique allows for vibrant and saturated colors, bringing a sense of life and spirituality to the piece. The bright greens, yellows, and blues highlight sacred elements such as the central courtyard and the green flag with the crescent and star. The bold use of color evokes a sense of reverence and celebration.

The fact that the artwork functions as a stylized map makes it unique. The viewer can follow the intricate layout of the dargah, from the large archway with its minarets to the specific landmarks like the Shahjahani Masjid and the Badi Degh. The artist has carefully structured the space to offer both an artistic and practical guide to pilgrims, merging form and function into a spiritual narrative. This print incorporates religious iconography, using symbols like the crescent and star, representing faith and hope which resonate deeply in Islamic art. At the same time, it is filled with references to local culture and legend, such as the inclusion of the grave of Nizam, the water carrier boy. The blending of historical narratives with sacred geography creates a rich, layered piece.

Notable Context
The artwork portrays the Dargah (shrine) of Chishti. The shrine holds great religious significance, as Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is credited with spreading Sufism in India. He is widely regarded as the "Gharib Nawaz" (Benefactor of the Poor), and the dargah is viewed as a place where prayers and supplications are answered.

Ajmer Sharif, located in Rajasthan, is a significant pilgrimage site, attracting millions of devotees from different faiths, primarily Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs, due to the saint’s message of love, tolerance, and spirituality. The tomb complex has been an important site of devotion since the 13th century and is particularly famous during the annual Ursfestival, marking the anniversary of the saint’s death.

About the Printer
S.S. Brijbasi & Sons, founded in the early 20th century in Mathura, India, was renowned for its vibrant chromolithographs, particularly ones of religious and devotional imagery. The company played a significant role in popularizing affordable, high-quality prints depicting Hindu gods, Muslim shrines, Sikh saints, and mythological scenes, making them widely accessible across India. Known for their bright colors and intricate details, Brijbasi prints became a staple in homes, temples, and public spaces, contributing to India's rich visual and religious culture. Today, their works are regarded as both cultural artifacts and spiritual icons.