Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri

Coordinates: 27°05′42″N 77°39′46″E / 27.09500°N 77.66278°E / 27.09500; 77.66278
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Location
Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri is located in Uttar Pradesh
Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri
Shown within Uttar Pradesh
Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri is located in India
Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri
Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri (India)
Geographic coordinates27°05′42″N 77°39′46″E / 27.09500°N 77.66278°E / 27.09500; 77.66278
Architecture
TypeCongregational mosque
StyleIndo-Islamic, Mughal
FounderAkbar
Specifications
Length165.20 m
Width133.60 m
Dome(s)3
MaterialsRed sandstone

The Jama Masjid is a 16th-century

Mughal emperor Akbar, and was the largest mosque in the empire at the time of construction. The Jama Masjid's design drew from earlier mosques built by various pre-Mughal sultanates, and served as an important precedent in subsequent Mughal architecture
.

Notable monuments in the mosque complex include the Buland Darwaza, which acts as the mosque's southern gate, and the Tomb of Salim Chishti, a saint in whose honour the mosque was constructed.

History

Akbar commissioned the Jama Masjid as part of his new capital city of Fatehpur Sikri. The structure was one of the first sites constructed in the city, and was completed sometime between 1571 and 1574, according to its own inscriptions.

Sufi Shaikh Salim Chishti, Akbar's spiritual advisor. It was also meant to serve as a khanqah (monastic school) for the Shaikh's descendants. In its time, it was extolled by various authors and travellers for its beauty and grandeur.[3]

The mosque played a part in Akbar's religious designs. In 1579, he delivered the

ulema as radical. Akbar also joined the population in their prayer, and was even seen sweeping the floors of the mosque.[1][4] Kavuri-Bauer argues that all these actions were conscious moves on Akbar's part, using the mosque to portray himself as a divine sovereign rather than a regular ruler.[1]

The Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri remained a "symbol of Mughal heritage and pride" after Akbar's rule.[5] The mosque was heavily admired by Akbar's son and successor Jahangir, who called it one of his father's greatest architectural achievements. Jahangir discussed the mosque complex at length with his son Khurram during a stay at Fatehpur Sikri in 1619.[6][3] Khurram went on to become Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and cited this mosque as the model for his own Jama Masjid at Delhi.[5]

Architecture

Buland Darwaza Jama Masjid

The Jama Masjid is situated on the highest point of the rocky ridge on which the Fatehpur Sikri site is located.

baoli (octagonal step-well).[8] Similar to the rest of Fatehpur Sikri, the mosque is made of locally-quarried red sandstone.[7] It also employs yellow sandstone, marble, and slate for decoration, and features Persian and Arabic calligraphy.[8]

At the time of its construction, the mosque was the largest in

Jain architecture, with a marked Gujarati influence.[8] Asher asserts that the mosque draws elements from the Jama Masjid at Mandu, and the Jama Masjid at Chanderi, both pre-Mughal structures.[9] Alfieri also sees an inspiration from pre-Mughal Jama Masjids, but instead cites those at Atala and Champaner.[10]

Gates

The mosque complex is entered via three gates.

military campaign in Gujarat. It is the most prominent gate and a monument in itself, featuring hallways and rooms over its many floors.[10] Asher says that it is more likely the gate was built to emphasise Akbar's relationship with the Chishti Order.[11]

Courtyard

The

Chhatris top the parapets of these arcades. The inner bay of the arcades is divided into hujra (cells), probably used as sleeping quarters for devotees.[8]

Towards the northern side of the courtyard are the Tomb of Salim Chishti, the tomb of Islam Khan, and those of several other members of the Chishti family. Salim Chishti's mausoleum is contrasted from the red sandstone of the Jama Masjid complex by its wholesale use of makrana marble.[10] Underground water reservoirs lie beneath the courtyard.[7]

Prayer Hall

The rectangular prayer hall (dimensions 89 m by 20 m) lies on the western end of the courtyard, facing

mihrabs (prayer niches), bordered by mosaics and glazed tile.[3] The two side bays are colonnaded halls, each containing a square chamber. These halls contain their own decorated mihrabs, and are supported by Hindu-style pillars.[8] At the extremities of the prayer hall are zenanas (women's galleries).[10]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISSN 0266-6030
    .
  2. ^ a b Asher 1992, p. 53-54.
  3. ^ a b c d Alfieri 2000, p. 219.
  4. ^ a b Asher 1992, p. 55.
  5. ^ a b Asher 1992, p. 202.
  6. ^ Asher 1992, p. 110.
  7. ^ a b c d Asher 1992, p. 52.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Jami' Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri, India". ArchNet.
  9. ^ Asher 1992, p. 54.
  10. ^ a b c d Alfieri 2000, p. 220.
  11. ^ Asher 1992, p. 53.
  12. ^ Alfieri 2000, p. 219-220.

Bibliography

External links

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