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Jama Masjid of Delhi is the largest mosque in
India. The Jama Masjid stands across the road in front
of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, Jama
Masjid is one of the last architectural works of the
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The spacious courtyard of the
Jama Masjid holds thousands of faithful. Jama Masjid is
located on a mound in the heart of the old city and
projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. Jama
Masjid Mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by
more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the
Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or "mosque commanding view of the
world", the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the
erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanbad.
Near
the Red Fort about 500m away is the Jama masjid, the
biggest mosque in India. It was begun by Shah Jahan in
1650 and completed six years later and the whole cost
about a million rupees. It is hard to imagine a building
more suited to evoking the awe of the majesty of Allah
in man. The mosque stands on a rocky elevation. Its huge
gateway looks down at you like fastidious connoisseur
from an immense platform which has steps that lead up to
it.
The
Jama Masjid was completed under the supervision of
Saadullah Khan, the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan. A sum
of Rs 10 lakhs was spent on the construction of the Jama
Masjid. The Jama Masjid is built on a red sandstone
porch, about 30 feet (10 m) from the level of the ground
and is about 1400 square yards (1200 mē) in extent. The
Jama Masjid has three gateways, four towers and two
minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by
a fleet of steps. The main entrance is on the eastern
side facing the red fort. It was probably used by the
emperors. The tower of the Jama Masjid is made up of
five distinctive storeys. Each one of the storeys has a
projecting balcony. The adjoining edifices are
beautifully done with calligraphy.
The
architect of this magnificent mosque was Ustad Khalil.
The main feature of the mosque is its four-storied
minarets, which are 130 feet high. Apart from that,
Domes too, will attract your fancy. These are full domes
shaped like a drum at their base. The decoration is
unique in itself, as it has been done with the
alternative pattern of marbles in black and white. This
pattern can be seen in all the three domes. Enclosed by
pillared and corridors with domed pavilions at the
corners, the courtyard of the mosque measures around
1000 square meters and has a capacity of 100,000 people.
In the center of the courtyard is a tank and Hauz. This
was built for the purpose of Wazu, compulsory ambulation
done before Namaaz. In front of it is a raised platform
called Dikka. The mosque is so big that in muatllawi
(the second cleric), used to stand on the Dikka and
repeat the Ayats said by the Imam (the chief cleric) to
the devotees who were unable to hear him.
Visitors can climb the southern minaret on nominal
charge. Be careful at the top, as the Jaalis are
fragile. The views are just wonderful as one can see the
whole Old Delhi and the impressive Red Fort. Women are
not allowed to go alone to the top of the minaret. |
