Gezicht op de façade van de Rani Sipri's-moskee in Ahmedabad before 1866

This photograph of the Rani Sipri’s Mosque in Ahmedabad, measuring 188 by 135 mm, was taken by Thomas Biggs. The image is part of a broader visual archive produced during the colonial era. These photographs were often commissioned to document and categorize Indian architecture and culture. In Ahmedabad, the Rani Sipri's Mosque provides a lens through which to explore the complex interplay between gender, power, and religious expression. Commissioned in 1514 by Queen Sipri, the mosque represents a powerful female figure’s contribution to the city’s architectural landscape. At the time, the patronage of religious buildings was not only a display of personal piety but also a way for women to assert their influence in the public sphere. The photograph captures not only the facade, but also a narrative of female agency within a specific historical and cultural context. This piece invites us to reflect on the diverse roles women have played in shaping religious and cultural heritage.