Jamia Masjid, Srinagar

Jamia Masjid
جامع مسجد سرینگر‬
Basic information
Location Nowhatta, Srinagar
Geographic coordinates 34°05′54″N 74°48′33″E / 34.098352°N 74.809180°E / 34.098352; 74.809180
Affiliation Islam
Architectural type Mosque
Specifications
Length 120 metres (390 ft)
Width 120 metres (390 ft)
The courtyard of the Jama Masjid, Srinagar. Hari Parbat is visible in the background.

Jamia Masjid (Urdu: جامع مسجد سرینگر‬‎) is a mosque in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. It is situated at Nowhatta in the middle of the Old City, and was built by Sultan Sikandar Shah Kashmiri Shahmiri in 1394 CE, under the order of Mir Mohmmad Hamadani, son of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani.[1] Sultan Sikhandar's son Zain-ul-Abidin extended the Jama Masjid by including turret. It has similarities to Buddhist pagodas and is constructed in Persian style. Jamia Masjid is located in a historical area (famous as "Downtown AreaS) which also was central zone to the religio-political life in Srinagar.

Architecture

On the western side, the mosque is 381 feet (116 m) in length while on northern and southern sides it is 384 feet (117 m) long. The inner courtyard measures 375 feet (114 m) x 370 feet (110 m) having a 33 feet (10 m) x 34 feet (10 m) water tank with a fountain playing in the center. Thus the space area of the mosque is 140,000 square feet (13,000 m2). Its walls made of burnt bricks are over 4 feet (1.2 m). thick. The lower portion of the walls is made of square stones. There are three big entrance gates on north, south and eastern sides of the mosque confronting three minarets standing on lofty columns of deodar wood. The western side has a Shah Gate for entrance. Each minaret is supported by eight lofty pillars 66 feet (20 m) high and 7 feet (2.1 m) in girth. The mehrab too has a similar minaret over it. The remaining interior of the Mosque has 348 columns 44 feet (13 m) high and 5 feet (1.5 m) in girth. Initially the roof was covered with birch bark and clay.

Part of the prayer hall inside the mosque

The Mehrab of the Mosque is built of Kashmir glazed black stones with a picturesque Arch on which 99 inscribed Attributes of Allah surrounded by the inscription of sura Juma in Tagraalphabet.

The mosque was designed to hold 33,333 persons besides the imam at a single prayer congregation.

To reach the Mosque roof the walls of the four minarets have interior stairs in the circular form that end in the lounges of each minaret. The entire city of Srinagar can be viewed from these high minarets. The roof is constructed out of timber and iron bars. The birch bark over the roof is now replaced by corrugated iron sheets. The inner courtyard of the mosque has a water tank with four lawns around it decorated with chinar trees.

The major renovations in mosque's history have been conducted by:

  • Sultan Sikandar in 796 AH (1394 CE)
  • Kashmir Shahmiri in 885 AH (1480 CE)
  • Sultan Hassan Shah in 1029 AH (1630 CE)
  • Jehangir Shah in 1083 AH (1673 CE)
  • Aurangzeb Aalamgir during Maharaja Pratap Singh's rule, 1344 AH (1925 CE)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Jamia Masjid Srinagar". Gaffara Kashmir. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
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