Description
Lying about 500 Mts west of the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, was begun by Shah Jahan (builder of Taj Mahal) in 1650 and completed after six years at a cost of about ten Lakhs of rupees.
The mosque was originally called the Masjid-i-Jahanuma or "Mosque commanding a view of the world". This part of Delhi still retains the old-world charm of markets in Mughal times.
Standing on a rock and rising from a high platform provided with flights of steps on the east, north and south, its courtyard is approached through double storeyed gateways, the main entrance being on the east. The courtyard measures nearly 100 Sq. Mts. and is enclosed by pillared corridors with domed pavillions at the corners.
The rectangular prayer hall on the west, 61 Sq. Mts. by 27.50 Sq. Mts., has a magnificent facade of eleven arches, the central one being higher. It is two bay in depth, the western bay pierced by only seven arches.
The arches are decorated with marble frames; while above them run inscriptional panels in black and white marble. The prayer hall is surmounted by three shapely domes ornamented with alternating stripes of eastern corners by tall four storeyed tapering minarets.
The mosque has undergone considerable repairs. It was used both by the emperor and his subjects, the upper storey over the eastern gateway being intended largely for the royalty.
Near the north gate of the Jama Masjid stands a cupboard containing a collection of Muhammad's relics - Korans written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprint, embedded in a marble slab.
The structure was placed on a high platform so that its magnificent facade would be visible from all around. It's an austere yet beautiful building. The pulpit is one of its best features, being carved out of a single block of marble.
It is surrounded by a large number of shops, which deal in a variety of goods. The great mosque of Old Delhi is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees.
Precautions: Visitors need to have their bodies fully covered. Robes are available at the entrance for the purpose.
