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Situated in the ancient town of Old Delhi,
the Jama or Jami Masjid is the final architectural extravaganza of
the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan. This monument was built between 1644
and 1658 by five thousand artisans. Originally called the
Masjid-i-Jahanuma, or "mosque commanding view of the world",
this magnificent structure stands on the Bho Jhala, one of the two
hills of the old Mughal capital city of
Shahjahanabad. On the east, this monument faces the
Lal Quila
(Red Fort) and has three gateways, four towers and two minarets.
Constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and
white marble, the Jama Masjid is the largest and perhaps the most
magnificent mosque in India.
Broad flights of steps lead up to the imposing gateways in the north
and the south. The main eastern entrance, probably used by the
emperors, remains closed on most days of the week. The main prayer
hall on the west side, fronted by a series of high cusped arches and
topped with marble domes, houses a niche in a wall that shelters the
prayer leader. Worshippers use this hall on most days but on Fridays
and other holy days, the courtyard is full of devotees offering
namaaz.
Near the north gate of the mosque 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.
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