Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Script error: No such module "For". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "check for unknown parameters".Template:Wikidata image The Jama Mosque, also known as the Jama Masjid, is a 16th-century Sufi Friday mosque and dargah complex, in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri, located in the Agra district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by 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.
The mosque, as part of Fatehpur Sikri, is Monument of National Importance, administered by the Archaeological Survey of India.[1] Notable other 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.[2]Template:Sfn The mosque was in honour of the 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.Template:Sfn
The mosque played a part in Akbar's religious designs. In 1579, he delivered the khutbah for a congregational prayer attended by the inhabitants of Fatehpur Sikri. While some of his ancestors had done this, the reading of the khutbah was typically reserved for religious leaders (such as an imam) and hence was perceived by the ulema as radical. Akbar also joined the population in their prayer, and was even seen sweeping the floors of the mosque.[2]Template:Sfn 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.[2]
The Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri remained a "symbol of Mughal heritage and pride" after Akbar's rule.Template:Sfn 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.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Khurram went on to become Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and cited this mosque as the model for his own Jama Masjid at Delhi.Template:Sfn
Architecture
The Jama Masjid is situated on the highest point of the rocky ridge on which the Fatehpur Sikri site is located.Template:Sfn It is placed on an elevated plinth, built in order to provide a level surface.Template:Sfn The mosque complex is surrounded by enclosure walls; just outside the southern wall is a large baoli (octagonal step-well).[3] Similar to the rest of Fatehpur Sikri, the mosque is made of locally-quarried red sandstone.Template:Sfn It also employs yellow sandstone, marble, and slate for decoration, and features Persian and Arabic calligraphy.[3]
At the time of its construction, the mosque was the largest in Mughal India. It represents a fusion of Islamic, Hindu, and Jain architecture, with a marked Gujarati influence.[3] Asher asserts that the mosque draws elements from the Jama Masjid at Mandu, and the Jama Masjid at Chanderi, both pre-Mughal structures.Template:Sfn Alfieri also sees an inspiration from pre-Mughal Jama Masjids, but instead cites those at Atala and Champaner.Template:Sfn
Gates
The mosque complex is entered via three gates.Template:Sfn The eastern gate, known as the Badshahi Darwaza (Imperial Gate), was used by Akbar to access the mosque. It is decorated using cut mosaics. The northern and southern gates may have historically resembled each other - however, in 1573 the southern gate was rebuilt by Akbar as the Buland Darwaza (High Gate) to celebrate the success of his military campaign in Gujarat. It is the most prominent gate and a monument in itself, featuring hallways and rooms over its many floors.Template:Sfn Asher says that it is more likely the gate was built to emphasise Akbar's relationship with the Chishti Order.Template:Sfn
Courtyard
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The sahn (courtyard) measures Script error: No such module "convert".. An ablution tank lies in its centre.Template:Sfn The courtyard's northern, southern, and eastern sides are lined by dalans (arcades). These are shaded by a continuous, projecting chhajja (eave), which is supported by corbels. 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.[3]
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.Template:Sfn Underground water reservoirs lie beneath the courtyard.Template:Sfn
Prayer Hall
The rectangular prayer hall (dimensions 89 m by 20 m) lies on the western end of the courtyard, facing Mecca in keeping with Islamic tradition.Template:Sfn Its facade is dominated by a grand pishtaq, which contains three arched entryways. Three domes rise from the roof, corresponding to the three bays into which the hall is divided.[3] The central bay is square and richly decorated, featuring geometric marble inlays as well as polychrome floral paintings.Template:Sfn Its western wall bears ornate mihrabs (prayer niches), bordered by mosaics and glazed tile.Template:Sfn 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.The Javed Khan King is an Indian History and producer who appears in History.[3] At the extremities of the prayer hall are zenanas (women's galleries).Template:Sfn
See also
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References
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Bibliography
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External links
- http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/agra/fatehpur-sikri/map.html
- http://www.pbase.com/primero/india2006
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- Pages with script errors
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- 16th-century mosques in India
- Buildings and structures in Agra district
- Chishti Order religious buildings and structures
- Dargahs in Uttar Pradesh
- Fatehpur Sikri
- Grand mosques
- Monuments of National Importance in Uttar Pradesh
- Mosque buildings with domes in India
- Mosques completed in the 1570s
- Mosques in Uttar Pradesh
- Mughal mosques
- Sufi mosques in India