Jama masjid 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.

1. JAMA MASJID
an architectural masterpiece

2. Introduction
• Jama masjid 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.

3. 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 .

5. 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.

6. • 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 of 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.

7. Architectural features
Gates
• It has three entrance gates.
1. Southern gate
2. Northern gate and
3. Eastern gate or royal gate.

8. • Southern gate has 33 steps ment for
genral public.
• Northern gate has 39 steps ment 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.

9. Eastern gate
Southern gate
Northern gate

10. • Eastern gate is
octagonal in plan.
• Soffit of the roof is
decorated with
honeycomb carving.
• Parapet has 19 kan-
guaras 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.

11. • 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.

12. • Back façade of these gates are smaller
than its front facades.
• Each side of the gate has seventeen
arched openings.
• Southern and northern
gates are smaller in size.
They are also octagonal
in plan but irregular.

13. • 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.
•An open courtyard
measuring
109.75X109.75M is
there.

14. • 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.

15. •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.

16. •Three sides of the
sahan is cloisters
which is arcaded.
• Forth side of the
sahan is the Ibadat-
Khana (mosque).

17. • 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.

18. Ibadat-Khana

20. • To enter into the mosque
eight stepped high maqsura
screen is there.
• Five arched openings on either side of the
main sanctuary or mosque hall.
• Area of the main mosque is comparatively
less in proportion.
• Area is 79.5X27.4m.
• Main entrance to this shrine is through
an archway. The main arch is flanked
by minarets surmounted by octagonal
cupolas.

21. • On the spandrel of the
central arch word ‘YA-
HADI’ (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.

22. • 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.

23. • 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.

24. • 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.

25. DOME
• Dome is an intrinsic
feature of muslim
architecture.
• A bulbous dome was
introduced in this
mosque.
• The inner and outer shell
has sufficient space
between them.

26. • It 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.

27. • 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.

28. Minars
• Minars contribute
significantly to its
grandeur and beauty.
• The minar consists of
three storey and 130 feet
(40 m) high .
• Each storey is bisected
by a projected gallery.
With a balustrade railing
around it.
• Octagonal in plan.

29. • 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.

30. • Way to the balcony of minar.
• Small openings are the
source of light in the minar.

31. Material used
• 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.
• Few things are made complete in marble.
• Doors are made up of wood and are
ornamented with copper.

32. 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.

33. • 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.

34. 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.

35. General information
• Its easily approachable by bus, train,
metro, or any private vehicle.
• Admission: Free (mosque); Rs10 to shoe
wallah; Rs10 (minaret) and Rs200 (for
cameras).
• Opening hours: Daily dawn-dusk; closed
during prayer times.
• Able to accommodate 25,000
worshippers.
• Muslims and Non-Muslims both are
expected to wear proper clothes befitting
the dignity of the Mosque.

36. Present day condition
• Monument is loosing its identity
a) Unplanned growth
b) Encroachment
c) Chaotic traffic
d) Uncomfortable environment setup.
e) Mosque is being in bad physical
condition.

37. 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.