info@theindiatourism.com
+91-9799050299
Jama Masjid is situated in Old Delhi. Its construction was started in 1644 and completed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Made of red sandstone and marble, this gorgeous mosque is also called Masjid-I-Jahanuma, meaning the mosque commanding the view of the world. The courtyard of the mosque has been built with red sandstone and can be accessed from the north, the south and the east, via flights of stairs that were once venues for house markets, food stalls and entertainers. The courtyard is so huge that it can easily accommodate 25,000 devotees at one time. Jama Masjid has been built on an elevation of 10 m and has three gates, two 40-m-high minarets and four towers. From the tower, one can get a splendid view of bustling streets of Old Delhi.
The mosque houses many relics of Prophet Mohammad and draws devotees from far and wide. Some of these relics include a Quran written on deerskin, sandals and a footprint of the Prophet embedded in a marble slab, and a red hair, which is said to have been from his beard.
Jama Masjid was designed by Ostad Khalil, a renowned Mughal architect. Legend has it that the eastern gate of the mosque was meant for the royal family in the olden days.
The best time to visit the mosque is during the festivities of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zoha, when it is resplendent as a bride and is thronged by devotees from all over the country.
Delhi Jama Masjid: History
It was Shah Jahan who built the Jama Masjid in the walled city of Shahjahanabad (or Old Delhi as it is known today), which was the capital of the Mughal Empire during his reign. The construction of the mosque began in 1644 and went on for long twelve years before it was completed in 1656. More than 5000 workers were engaged in the construction work, supervised by Saadullah Khan, the prime minister of the Emperor. Shah Jahan spared no expenses to build this grand monument and it was built at a cost of one million rupees.
Initially, the mosque was named Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, which means ‘the Mosque that Reflects the World’. Later, it came to be known as Jama Masjid or the Friday Mosque. The inauguration of the mosque took place on 23 July 1656 by an Imam named Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari, who came all the way from Bukhara (now Uzbekistan) at Shah Jahan’s invitation. He was also appointed the first Shahi Imam of the mosque by Shah Jahan.
Since its construction, the masjid has been standing tall in the city right next to another iconic monument built by Shah Jahan, namely the Red Fort. Till the end of the Mughal era, it was the royal mosque of the emperors. After the Revolt of 1857, the victorious British rulers seized the mosque with the intention to destroy it. However, strong opposition from the public made them reconsider this decision and the structure was spared any damage. Currently, the masjid is under the control of Delhi Waqf Board.
Delhi Jama Masjid Architecture
The Jama Masjid in Delhi is considered to be the finest mosque constructed during the Mughal Empire. Built using red sandstone and white marble in Indo-Islamic architectural style, it has a length of about 261 feet and a width of 90 feet. The structure is adorned with three huge arched gates, three marble domes, four towers, and two towering minarets. It also has a sprawling courtyard that can accommodate more than 25,000 people for prayers at a time.
Out of the three gateways to the mosque, the one on the eastern side has 35 steps leading to it. This gate is also known as the royal entrance since it was reserved for use of Mughal Emperors. The gates on the northern and southern sides have 39 and 33 steps, respectively. Each of the two minarets comprises of five stories with a protruding balcony and reaches up to a height of 130 feet. There are 130 steps inside each minaret to climb to the top.
The mosque has a strikingly designed black and white marble floor with 899 bordered spaces demarcated for worshippers. Lavish arches, floral designs, and fluorescent motifs adorn the interiors of this mosque. The archway to the center of the prayer hall has the words ‘The Guide’ written on it. The significant relics at the mosque include a copy of the Quran written on deerskin, a red hair from the beard of Prophet Mohammed, a pair of his footwear, and his footprints on a marble block.
Delhi Tourism, for all the right reasons, is the national capital of incredible India. Synonymous with diversity, Delhi tour has always been the epicentre of all activities in India which is reflected in its tourism. Right from the time of Pandavas, it has served as a major strategic and cultural hub of the country and rightly so, today it’s an exhibition of the history of India. Travelling in Delhi isn’t just limited to history but it’s a step to take past and present hand in hand. Blended with modern advancements, Delhi is the modern-day city of Troy. The amalgamation of all religion and spiritual hubs of different faiths coexisting together in peace is the testament of the unity in diversity. Delhi offers numerous tourist attractions ranging from monuments, museums, shrines to modern day markets. Exploring the city is like witnessing a mini-India, with Delhi Tourism being a reflection of rich culture of India.
