| Jama Masjid | |
|---|---|
|
Jama Masjid of Ahmadabad |
|
| Location | Ahmedabad |
| Architectural information | |
| Style | Islamic |
The mosque Jama Masjid (meaning Friday Mosque ) is the oldest mosque of Ahmedabad, built in 1424 during the reign of Ahmed Shah.
The Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad was probably the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent built in this period. Designed as part of a major plan desired by the Emperor, the mosque is located south of the processional axis that runs from the Maidan-i Shah at the door with three arches, Teen Darwaza.
To the west of the mosque are the tombs of Ahmed Shah , his son and his grand-son, ( Ahmad Shah Rauza ). Nearby are the graves of the queen and the other wives of the Sultan ( Rani ka Hazira ).
Built over several years, the mosque complex is centered on a large rectangular courtyard 75 m long and 66 m wide. One enters the court by three entrances, one at the center of each side. The courtyard is lined with a colonnade on three sides, the prayer hall occupies the fourth side (East). In the center of the courtyard is a rectangular basin for ablutions.
The prayer room is also rectangular and covered with four domes. The 260 pillars which carry the dome of a temple from the Hindu , they divide the space into 15 openings. The Wall of Prayer, the qibla is decorated. Pierced stone screens (the ' Jalis ') are placed between the two pillars of the central openings. The main entrance is framed by two columns, the remains of two minarets (called 'shaking minarets') which were destroyed by the earthquakes of 1819 and 1957.
The inscription on the mihrab commemorates the inauguration of the mosque on January 4th 1424 by Sultan Ahmad Shah I. The mosque was originally intended only for private use of the sultans.