Nakhoda Masjid
The Nakhoda Masjid is the principal mosque of Kolkata, India, in the Chitpur area of the Burrabazar business district in Central Kolkata, at the intersection of Zakaria Street and Rabindra Sarani.
| Nakhoda Masjid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| District | Kolkata |
| Province | West Bengal |
| Rite | Sunni Hanafi |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Location | |
| Location |  |
| Geographic coordinates | 22°34′35″N 88°21′21″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Kuchhi Memon Jamat |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Islamic, Mughal |
| Completed | 1926 |
| Construction cost | INR 1,500,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | West |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Dome(s) | 3 |
| Minaret(s) | 27 |
| Minaret height | 151 ft |
Construction
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The mosque was built as an imitation of the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar at Sikandra, Agra by Kutchi Memon Jamat, a small community of Sunni Muslim community from Kutch.[1][2][3][4] Abdur Rahim Osman, a leader of the Kutchi Memon Jama'at, who funded the building was a shipping prince: The mosque was named Nakhoda meaning Mariner.[2][5]
The foundation stone was laid on 11 September 1926. The total cost incurred for the construction was 1,500,000 Indian rupees in 1926.
Architecture and specifications
The mosque's prayer hall has a capacity of 10,000.
The masjid has three domes and two minarets which are 151 feet high. There are an additional 25 smaller minarets which range from 100 feet to 117 feet high.
The gateway is an ersatz of the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri. For this purpose granite stones were brought from Tolepur. Inside is a superb exhibition of exquisite ornamentation and artistic extravaganza.
Gallery
Distance view
Closeup view of the entrance
Another view
Side entrance
Ablution pool
Ablution pool
References
- Indo-British Review, Volume 22, Issue 1, Indo-British Historical Society, 1996.
- Calcutta's edifice: the buildings of a great city by Brian Paul Bach 2006
- The Book review, Volume 25
- Urban roots of Indian nationalism: pressure groups and conflict of interests in Calcutta City politics, 1875-1939.
- Calcutta 200 years: a Tollygunge Club perspective, 1981.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nakhoda Masjid. |
- Photos tagged with "nakhoda" at Flickr
- Satellite picture by Google Maps
- Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts image of Nakhoda
Template:Kolkata landmarks