Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad

About Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad is known as Jumah Mosque or Jami' Masjid. This mosque was built by Ahmed Shah I in 1424. Ahmad Shah I was the son of Muhammad Shah I, the founder of the Muzaffarid dynasty. The mosque was inaugurated on January 4, 1424, as evidence the inscription located in the central mihrab of the mosque. The mosque is located in the old walled city.

The Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad was the fifth mosque structure built during Ahmad Shah I's rule. Apart from this, this mosque presents an unmatched specimen of the Architecture and Construction Art of Gujarat.

Architecture of Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is one of the many examples of Gujarati style of architecture in Ahmedabad. Constructed of yellow sandstone and other materials, the mosque complex is centered on a large rectangular-shaped courtyard 75 meters long and 66 meters wide. The primary entrance mosque is the south facing entrance. The eastern entrance leads to the second hall, the tomb of Sultan Ahmed Shah I.

Interesting facts about Jama Masjid

1. Jama Mosque, Ahmedabad is a mixture of Islamic art, with Gujarat-style architecture.
2. The Jama Masjid was the last fifth mosque structure built during Ahmed Shah I's reign.
3. The main prayer hall has about 260 closely set room columns supporting the roof, with its 15 domes.
4. The mosque has, in total, five mihrabs that correspond with the five square bays of the main prayer hall.
5. The Qibla wall faces the west side and is decorated with colored marble together with its side mihrabs.
6. Before the year 1819, there were two pillars located at the main entrance of the mosque. But during the earthquakes in the year 1819 and 1956, both the pillars were destroyed.
7. In the earthquake of year 1819, the lofty minarets were reduced to half their height and became known as the "shaking minarets".

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