After the Red Fort was finished, Shah Jahan decided to build the biggest and the most beautiful mosque in India.

The Grand Mosque is the last building on the very long list that was built by Jahan’s orders, a final piece in his great legacy. Thousands of tourists every year come to hear its magnificent tale.

Construction of Jama Masjid Mosque

Building of Jama Masjid started in 1650, on the hill near the Red Fort. For six years more then 5000 workers were engaged on this project. The mosque was build of sandstone and white marble; it has three gates (two for common people and one for the Emperor), four towers and two 41meters high minarets. Construction ended in 1656.

Architectural design of Jama Masjid Mosque

Situated on the Bho Jhala hill in the Shahjahanabad, the capital of Mughal Empire (today Delhi), Jama Masjid was build on a high platform with the intention to dominate surrounding area. Two of its large gates, North and South Gate, were used by common people, and the third, Eastern Gate that’s facing the Red Fort, home of the royal family, was used only by Emperor. Trough these gates one is entering a large courtyard which is surrounded by pillared corridors. It is said that the courtyard can hold up to 25000 people. Prayer hall has a facade of eleven arches, and the central one is serving as an entrance. Floor is paved with black and white marble and it resembles a Muslim prayer mat. On top of the prayer hall are three large domes also made of black and white marble.

Relics and tombs

Jama Masjid has a priceless collection of relics which are kept in closet near the North Gate. The most valuable items are sandals and a footprint of Prophet Muhhamad, his beard-hair and copy of Koran written on deerskin. Near the Eastern Gate there is a tomb of three important rulers: Ahmed Shah I and his two successors, Mohammed and Qutub-Ud-Din.

Imam of Jama Masjid

It is said that after the mosque was finished, Shah Jahan appointed its first Main Imam. Till that day, every Main Imam was direct descendant of the first one and tradition was broken not even once.

Jama Masjid in Delhi is a beacon that attracts thousands of tourists every year, and unavoidable part of every India tour packages, so make sure to include it as a part of your Delhi travel itinerary.