Jama Masjid Delhi History, Construction, Architecture and Facts

Jama Masjid Delhi Quick Facts

Jama Masjid Delhi Overview

Jama Masjid, located at Chandni Chowk in the country's capital New Delhi, is one of the largest mosques in India. This magnificent mosque built in Old Delhi is a splendid specimen of Islamic architecture of the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. Spread over several acres on Chawri Bazar Road, this mosque is one of the main attractions of the capital Delhi.

Jama Masjid Delhi History

The Jama Masjid was initially called Masjid-e-Jahanuma, which in Zoroastrian language means "The mosque with the image of the world". The construction of this grand mosque built in Chandni Chowk was started by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1650 and was completed in 1656.

This mosque was inaugurated on 23 July 1656 by the Bukhara Mullah Imam Bukhari of Uzbekistan at the invitation of Shah Jahan. This mosque was one of the last very expensive architecture of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan also built the Taj Mahal of Agra and The Red Fort of Delhi, which are included in the Seven Wonders of the World.

Jama Masjid Delhi Interesting Facts

1. It took about 6 years (1950-1956) to build this mosque, at that time it cost about 10 lakh rupees to build it.
2. This Mosque was constructed with sandstone and white marble.
3. It has three majestic gates, four minarets 40 meters high, which are made of red sandstone and white marble.
4. This Mosque present in Old Delhi was built by 5000 craftsmen together.
5. This Mosque measures 65 meters long and 35 meters wide, with a courtyard of 100 square meters.
6. This Mosque can be entered from the north and south gates.
7. There are also about 260 pillars in this mosque with beautiful carvings incorporating Hindu and Jain architecture.
8. Its floor is covered with white and black marble stones, which look like an ornate Muslim prayer mat.
9. The Domes above it are decorated with white and black marble, reminiscent of the Nizamuddin Dargah.
10. In this grand mosque, about 25,000 people can sit together and offer Namaz.
11. The prayer hall of the mosque is very visible. It has eleven arches, with the middle one being slightly larger than the others.
12. This Mosque is situated on a platform 5 feet high and is one of the largest mosques in India.
13. There are many ancient relics in this mosque, of which is a copy of the Quran, written on the skin of a deer.
14. Tourists visiting here can rent robes from the North Gate.
15. This mosque is in front of the Red Fort in Delhi and its distance from the Red Fort is only 500 meters.
16. If you are fond of photography, then you may have to pay up to 200 rupees to the authority for photography here.