A brief analysis of Jama Masjid done by students of Architecture, Mysuru, India.

1. HOA 5
GROUP ASSIGMENT
JAMA MASJID
Done by
Akhilesh, Benak,
Kuldeep and Rahul
WHERE : Delhi
WHEN : 1650 – 1656
WHOM : Shah Jahan
WHAT : Principal mosque

2. INTODUCTION :
• 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.
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 .

3. 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.
• 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
piece 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.
Padishah of the Mughal Empire
Shah Jahan
Sahib-e Qiran-i Sani

4. PLAN :
Minaret
Mihrab
Qibla
Aisles Tank
Maqsur
Screen
Courtyard
(Sahn)
Colisters
(Liwan)
Main
Entrance
Plan of Jama Masjid
N
S
EW
Jama Masjid is oriented toward
the holy city of Mecca, Saudi
Arabia, which lies to the west. An
open courtyard facing the
eastern gateway of the mosque
building is at least 325 feet (99
meters) square and can
accommodate 25,000 people.
The eastern gateway itself was
originally reserved for royal use
exclusively. Others used smaller
gates on the north and south
sides of the building. Two 130-foot
(40-metre) minarets mark the
northeast and southeast corners
of the building. The largest interior
space is the prayer hall, 90 × 200
feet (27.4 × 60.96 metres). Above
the prayer hall’s entrances are
calligraphic inscriptions in Persian.
Three large marble domes rise
from the prayer hall’s roof.

5. Form analysis and movement Symmetry

6. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES :
a) Gates:
• It has three entrance gates.
1. Southern gate
2. Northern gate and
3. Eastern gate or royal gate.
• Southern gate has 33 steps meant for general public.
• Northern gate has 39 steps meant 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.
North Gate South Gate East Gate

7. • Eastern gate is octagonal in plan.
• Soffit of the roof is decorated with
honeycomb carving.
• Parapet has 19 kanguaras 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.
• 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.
• Southern and northern gates are smaller
in size. They are also octagonal in plan
but irregular.
• Back facade of these gates are smaller
than its front facades.
• Each side of the gate has seventeen
arched openings.
South Gate

8. • An open courtyard measuring 109.75X109.75M is
there.
• 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.
• Ablution tank is there for ritual ablutions which should
have to be done before namaz.
• 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.
• Three sides of the Sahan is cloisters which is arcaded.
• Forth side of the Sahan is the Ibadat- Khana
(mosque).
• 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.
East Gate
North Gate

9. b) Ibadat-Khana :
• 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.
• On the spandrel of the central arch word
‘YAHADI’ (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.
• The main shrine is divided into two halls one
adjoining its main entrance hall and the other its
interior portion.

10. • These are divided into seven bays of ornamental pillars.
• 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.
• 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.

11. c) 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.
• 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.
• 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.

12. d) 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.
• 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.
• Small openings are the
source of light in the minar.

13. e) Tank :
• Muslims performing ablution in the water tank in
the courtyard of the Jama Masjid mosque in Old
Delhi India. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
between 1644 and 1656 it is one of the biggest
mosques in India with minarets over 40 meters
high. Build in red sandstone the courtyard can
hold up 25000 worshipers

14. f) 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.
• 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.
Balcony Detail

15. g) Materials 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.
h) 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.

16. i) 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.