Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is actually referred to as the Masjid-i-Jahan Numa. The Jama Masjid was constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1656. It is the largest mosque ever built in the country and can be found in the city of Delhi, the capital of India. Delhi also houses many other architectures of historic importance like the Gateway of India, the Red Fort, Purana Quila, Qutub Minar and the famous Iron Pillar, but the Jama Masjid of Delhi deserves special mention as it is the largest mosque in India. The religious monument was built in the Mughal style with two minarets and three large domes and has no influence of any other style, especially that of the Italian Art which was then prevalent.

The Jama Masjid lies just opposite to the Red Fort and has a huge courtyard big enough to accommodate at least 25,000 worshippers at a time. It measures 75 meters by 66 meters and is surrounded by four walls. The monument is built from yellow sandstone which is not a common material used by the Mughal architectures. The western chamber of the Jama Masjid is a big hall and displays 260 pillars with artistic carvings on each pillar. There are three entrances opening up to the center of the courtyard which then leads to the inside of the Jama Masjid. The eastern entrance leads to area where the mausoleum of Sultan Shah Jahan rests.