Jama Masjid - Information about Jama Masjid in Delhi

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Jama Masjid - Delhi

Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India, and stands across the road from the Red Fort. This mosque is an eloquent reminder of the Mughal religious fervour. This mosque is located in the centre of the old city on the top of a large hill. This mosque was built between 1644 and 1658 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The mosque stands on Bho Jhala, which is one of the old Mughal capital cities of Shahjahanbad. The mosque is the final architectural piece built by him. The mosque was built by 5000 artisans, with red sandstone and marble. Its spacious courtyard can hold thousands of the faithful who offer prayers.

This mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423 and later by Shah Jahan. This mosque is built in yellow sandstone and combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. This mosque stands on 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at varying elevations. The courtyard is in the rectangular shape nearly seventy-five metres by sixty-six metres. The whole of the western chamber is a big hall, standing on 260 pillars all carved from Hindu and Jain traditions. The central courtyard is accessible from the East, though there are three ways on the other side too. The Eastern side entrance leads to another enclosure which contains the tomb of Sultan Ahmed Shah. On the east, this monument faces the Red Fort and has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by a fleet of steps. The main eastern entrance remains closed on most days of the week and was perhaps used by the Emperors.

Tombs
Near the Eastern entrance stands the tomb of the Sultan Ahmed Shah, which was homage to the Sultan by his son Mohammed Shah II. The tomb houses the graves of three great rulers of Gujarat - Ahmed Shah I, his son, Mohammed Shah and his grandson, Qutub-Ud-Din Ahmed Shah II. After 100 years, a nobleman, Farhatul Maluk repaired the tomb, who also got the walls of the mosque engraved. Today after centuries of heat and rough weather, the Masjid stands unchallenged serving as a prayer place for numerous Muslims residing in the city.