The Masjid-i Jahān-Numā commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, it is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The spacious courtyard of the masjid holds thousands of faithful. It is located on a mound in the heart of the old city and projects beautifully into the Old Delhi skyline. This mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or “mosque commanding view of the world”, the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanbad.
About Jama-Masjid
Saadullah Khan, the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, supervised the completion of the masjid’s construction. They spent a sum of Rs 10 lakhs on the construction of the Jama Masjid. They built the Jama Masjid on a red sandstone porch, about 30 feet (10 m) from the level of the ground, and it covers about 1400 square yards (1200 m²) in extent. The Jama Masjid has three gateways, four towers, and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by a fleet of steps. The main entrance is on the eastern side facing the Red Fort. The emperors probably used it. The tower of the Masjid consists of five distinctive storeys. Each one of the stories has a projecting balcony. Artisans beautifully adorned the adjoining edifices with calligraphy.
The masjid Tower comprises the first three storeys made of red sandstone, the fourth one of marble, and the fifth of sandstone. Intricate carvings cover the Jama Masjid, with verses from the holy Quran inscribed on its walls. The grand Red Fort (Lal Qila) stands on the eastern side of the masjid. High-cusped arches and marble domes make up the main prayer hall of the masjid.. The cabinet in the north gate of the masjid contains a collection of Muhammad’s relics – the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals, and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.
Terrorism Incidents
2006 Explosions
Two explosions occurred within the Jama Masjid, On April 14, 2006. The first explosion came at around 17:26 and the second some seven minutes later at around 17:33 (IST). At least thirteen people were injured in the blasts. There were about 1000 people in the mosque at the time of the blasts as the day happened to be Friday, a Muslim holy day. According to official spokesmen, there was no damage to the mosque itself.
2010 Shooting
Gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on a bus parked near gate number three of the mosque on September 15, 2010, injuring two Taiwanese tourists.