| Jama Mosque | |
|---|---|
 The mosque, in 2009 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Congregational mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Bijapur,Karnataka |
| Country | India |
  Location of the mosque inKarnataka | |
| Coordinates | 16°49′19″N75°43′44″E / 16.82194°N 75.72889°E /16.82194; 75.72889 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | Indo-Islamic |
| Founder | Ali Adil Shah I |
| Funded by |
|
| Groundbreaking | 1576 |
| Completed | incomplete |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 4,000 worshippers |
| Length | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Width | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Site area | 5,040 m2 (54,300 sq ft) |
| [1] | |
TheJama Masjid, also known asJamiya Masjid orJumma Masjid, is acongregational mosque inBijapur, in the state ofKarnataka, India. Initiated byAli Adil Shah I of theBijapur Sultanate in the 16th century, the mosque was never completed. It is the largest mosque in Bijapur, and has a capacity of 4,000 worshippers.
In 2014,UNESCO placed the building on its "tentative list" to become aWorld Heritage Site, under the nameMonuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate.[a][2]
The construction of the Jama Masjid was begun byAli Adil Shah I in 1576CE. The project was financed with money looted from theBattle of Talikota, in which an alliance ofDeccan Sultanates had emerged victorious against theVijayanagara Empire. Though the majority of the mosque was constructed by 1686, the structure never reached completion.[1][3] It nonetheless came to serve as the principal mosque of Bijapur, replacing an older, smaller congregational mosque built byIbrahim Adil Shah I.[4]: 85–86
Later rulers made some augmentations to the mosque. The addition of murals near the mosque's centralmihrab was probably made byMuhammad Adil Shah.[3]Mughal EmperorAurangzeb added an eastern doorway to the mosque, and made modifications to the prayer hall's flooring.[3][1]
The Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in the city of Bijapur, with a capacity of 4,000 worshippers.[1] It is considered one of the finest examples ofAdil Shahi architecture. Bianca Alfieri comments that the mosque draws elements from previousBahmanid architecture.[3] Additionally,Richard Eaton notes that the mosque is emblematic of Iranian influence, and does not incorporate local traditions to the extent of later Bijapuri architecture.[4]: 95 The design and ornamentation of the mosque are quite simple;ArchNet explains this as a consequence of Ali Adil Shah'sShiism, since followers of the sect typically preferred less decoration in places of worship.[1]
The rectangular mosque complex spreads over 5,040 square metres (54,300 sq ft), and is enclosed by perimeter walls. The main entrance to the complex is the eastern gate. Within the complex is a squaresahn (courtyard) of side length 50 metres (160 ft), containing fountains and anablution reservoir.[1]
The main prayer hall, measures 70 by 36 metres (230 by 118 ft), and is situated on the west end of the complex. It is topped with a hemispherical dome, bearing a crescent-moonfinial and surrounded by a balustrade at the base.[1] The facade of the prayer hall features seven arched openings, of which the central one alone is decorated.[3]
Supported bypiers, the interior of the prayer hall is divided into fivebays, running parallel to the westernqibla wall. The interior emphasises clean lines over excessive embellishment; only minimal plaster-work is observed. Its floor is divided into 2250 rectangular boxes, resembling a prayer mat, though this was a later addition by Aurangzeb.[1][5]: 281
The generally minimal and austere nature of the interior is interrupted by heavy mural ornamentation surrounding the centralmihrab, on theqibla wall. Gilded and decorated in blue, black and gold, themihrab features varied imagery, and is dominated byQuranic epigraphy. The ornamentation is probably a later addition under Muhammad Adil Shah, attested by somePersian inscriptions near themihrab. Unlike Ali, Muhammad Adil Shah was aSunni, and this may be responsible for the stark aesthetic difference between the mosque and itsmihrab.[1][5]: 284–293 Its luxurious decoration has led Michell and Zebrowski to regard it as one of the finest in the Islamic world; they compare it to themihrab of theMosque–Cathedral in Córdoba.[6]
The mosque features cornerbuttressing on the easternfaçade, indicating an unfulfilled intention to construct two minarets there.[6] Additionally,merlons are absent from the parapets of the galleries surrounding the courtyard.[3]
Media related toJama Masjid, Bijapur at Wikimedia Commons
