MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE

JAMA MASJID
An architectural masterpiece

Submitted to:- Submitted by:-

Ar. Aditya Kamal Geetakshri Jajoria
 INTRODUCTION

• Jama masjid, Delhi is the largest mosque in India.

• Originally called Masjid-i-Jahanuma, or "mosque commanding view of the
world“.
• It was based on the plan and design of Ostad Khalil .
• It can be called as the replica of Moti Masjid in Agra.
• It is one of the finest mosque in the world.
• It is a congregational mosque.
 LOCATION

• Jama masjid is about 500m west of the

Red fort.
• Perpendicular to one of the two main
urban axis.
• Strategic location as it was highest point
on the rocky ridge Bho Jhala .

A WELL DEFINED PLAN FOR EVERY DETAIL TO MARK
UP THE IMPORTANT PARTS
The rectangle shows the
madarsa near the southern
end of the mosque, which was
destroyed during the revolt of
1857.
 HISTORY
• Mughal emperor Shahjahan’s thirty years of reign has witness the construction of several glorious buildings
that stand testimony to his vision of a grand empire, including the Jama masjid.

• After the death of his wife he shifted his capital to Delhi.

• And laid the foundation of shahjahanabad between 1638- 1648. After building the fortified city of

shahjahanabad and his palace he felt the need of a large mosque.

• The foundation laid on 6th oct 1650.

• Five thousand workers has made it in six years. Their fees was 1 pice per day. Total cost o the project was 1

million rupees excluding Stone and marble.

• The chief cleric, Imam Bukhari, is the direct descendant of the Mullah who came from Bukhara to inaugurate

the Jama Masjid.

ARCHITECTURAL
FEATURES
Gates
• It has three entrance gates.
1. Southern gate
2. Northern gate and
3. Eastern gate or royal gate.

• Southern gate has 33 steps meant for general public.

• Northern gate has 39 steps meant for nobles.
• Eastern gate has 35 steps it was formally reserved for the use of Mughal emperors.
• Even during the British period opened only for royal visitors and the viceroy of India.
Eastern gate

Southern gate

Northern gate
• Eastern gate is octagonal in plan.

• Soffit of the roof is decorated with honeycomb

carving.

• Parapet has 19 kanguaras and above it 19

cupolas are there.

At each of it front angle there is a octagonal pinnacle bearing a marble pavilion with a
marble dome.
• Its inner dimensions are 18.29X15.24m
height is 15.4m.
• It has one large opening with three arch
way. On adjacent sides.
• Projected balcony on the other side of the
gate is of Bengali influence.
• Southern and northern gates are
smaller in size. They are also
octagonal in plan but irregular.

• Back façade of these gates are smaller

than its front facades.

• Each side of the gate has seventeen

arched openings.
• An open courtyard measuring
109.75X109.75M is there.
• In the centre of this there is an
ablution tank, made up of marble.
It measures 30.71X10.96m.
• In the centre of the tank there is a
fountain.
• In the four of its corners marble
kiosks are there.
 Ablution tank is there for ritual ablutions which
should have to be done before namaz.

Waste water after ablution has

been transported through these
channels.
Infront of the tank a sandstone platform for muazzin.

At the central entrance to the mosque a grey sandstone pulpit for mukabbir.

Two sun dials are there in the courtyard to indicate

time of prayer.
 Three sides of the sahan is cloisters
which is arcaded.

Forth side of the sahan is the Ibadat- Khana

(mosque).
 •At the four corners of cloisters
there are cupolas.

• Both sides of the cloisters consisted of chajja projected

outside.

• The basement wall 9.4m high and adorned with false arches to give it a stately
appearance.
IBADAT-KHANA
• To enter into the mosque eight stepped high maqsura
screen is present.
• Five arched openings on either side of the main
sanctuary or mosque hall.
• Area of the main mosque is comparatively less in
proportion. I.e.: 79.5X27.4m.

• Main entrance to this shrine is through an archway. The

main arch is flanked by minarets surmounted by
octagonal cupolas.
• On the spandrel of the central arch word
‘YAHADI’ (one who shows the right path) is
inscribed .

• Above five arched opening on either side of

the main sanctuary tables or panels of white
marble inlaid in black slate with inscription
documenting history of the building and
glorify virtue of reign of Shahjahan.
• The main shrine is divided into two halls
one adjoining its main entrance hall and the
other its interior portion.

• These are divided into seven bays of

ornamental pillars.
The rear wall is sunk in the centre with a mihrab. It is
also flanked by mihrabs smaller in size three on each
side.

• There is a pulpit near central mihrab

can be reached by four steps.
• Made up of one piece of marble.
• The floor of the mosque is decorated with black
marble.
• It is a thin black marble border.

• This is a mosalla (the praying carpet).

• 899 divisions of 3’ long and 1 ½ ‘ width is there in the
shrine.
 DOME

• Dome is an intrinsic feature of islamic architecture.

• A bulbous(onion shaped) dome was introduced in this
mosque.
• The inner and outer shell has sufficient space between
them.
Dome serves a dual purpose

1. Cool the interior.

2. Give dome a voluminous and elegant look.

• An important property of the dome is that it is fluted.

• Above every dome there is a copper gilt spike.
• The dome is supported by squinches. They
are also working as decorative element.

• The square shape of the compartment

below is united with the circular base of
the dome above.
 MINARS

• Minars contribute significantly to its grandeur and

beauty.
• The minars are of three storey and 130 feet (40 m)
high .
• Each storey is bisected by a projected gallery, With a
balustrade railing around it.
• Plan is octagonal.
 Winding steps leads to the top of the minar.

A cupola is there on the top of the minar. The

views are just wonderful as one can see the whole
Old Delhi from here.
 Way to the balcony of minar.

Small openings are the source of light in the minar.

 MATERIAL
• Jama masjid is built in stone masonry. And the cladding is
being done by mostly red sand stone. Marble, black marble etc
has been used for ornamentation along with copper.
• Few things are made complete in marble.
• Doors are made up of wood and are ornamented with copper.
 ORNAMENTATION

• Marble is used in bulk for ornamenting the mosque.

• Lotus flower is a prime source of inspiration.
• Lotus motif is used at many places.
• All the ornamentation has been done through floral motifs or
• inscriptions.

• Mosque has ornamented every where abutment of arch, under

arch, wall, under dome, on the columns, floor, mihrab etc.

• Multifoil arch has used somewhere.

 INSCRIPTION PRESERVED RELICS
• Calligraphic inscription used in the mosque is kufic it is used for conveying
massages as well as a decorative element.

• The mosque also houses several relics in a closet of northeast corner, including a
copy of the Quran written on deer skin of those times.
 CONCLUSION

Jama Masjid in Delhi mirrors a fascinating blend of white marble and red sandstone. It
is an imposing building, and its position and architecture have been carefully
considered so as to produce a pleasing effect and feeling of spacious elegance and
well-balanced proportion of parts & if we want to pass this cultural heritage to our
future generation then we must have to conserve it. After all it is the largest mosque in
our country.
Sources
• Wikipedia.com
• Archnet.com
• Google.co.in

Thank You