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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2021}}

{{Infobox religious building|religious_affiliation=[[Islam]]|image=Jama Masjid Agra.jpg|map_type=India Uttar Pradesh#India|coordinates={{Coord|27|05|42|N|77|39|46|E|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:IN}}|architecture_type=[[Mosque]]|architecture_style=[[Indo-Islamic architecture|Indo-Islamic]], [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]]|length=165.20 m|width=133.60 m|dome_quantity=3|materials=Red [[sandstone]]}}

The '''Jama Masjid''' is a 16th-century [[congregational mosque]] in the [[World Heritage Sites|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] of [[Fatehpur Sikri]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]. Constructed by [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Akbar]], it is one of the largest mosques in India. It is a most sought after pilgrimage site by the devotees. It is also one of the most visited tourist destinations in [[Agra district]]. Some of the designs of the mosque reflect beautiful Iranian architecture.

== History ==
Akbar commissioned the Jama Masjid as part of his new capital city of Fatehpur Sikri. The structure was one of the first sites constructed in the city, and was completed sometime between 1571 and 1574, according to its own inscriptions.<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=53-54}} The mosque was in honour of the [[Sufi]] [[Shaikh]] [[Salim Chishti]], Akbar's spiritual advisor. It was also meant to serve as a ''[[khanqah]]'' (monastic school) for the Shaikh's descendants. In its time, it was extolled by various authors and travellers for its beauty and grandeur.{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=219}}

The mosque played a part in Akbar's religious designs. In 1579, he delivered the ''[[khutbah]]'' for a congregational prayer attended by the inhabitants of Fatehpur Sikri. While some of his ancestors had done this, the reading of the ''khutbah'' was typically reserved for religious leaders (such as an ''[[imam]]'') and hence was perceived by the ''[[ulema]]'' as radical. Akbar also joined the population in their prayer, and was even seen sweeping the floors of the mosque.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Kavuri-Bauer|first=Santhi|date=2019-01-02|title=The Impact of Akhlaq-i Nasiri on the Forms and Spaces of Akbar’s Fatehpur Sikri|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.1080/02666030.2019.1605574|journal=South Asian Studies|language=en|volume=35|issue=1|pages=43–62|doi=10.1080/02666030.2019.1605574|issn=0266-6030}}</ref>{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=55}} Kavuri-Bauer argues that all these actions were conscious moves on Akbar's part, using the mosque to portray himself as a divine sovereign rather than a regular ruler.<ref name=":0" />

The Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri remained a "symbol of Mughal heritage and pride" after Akbar's rule.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=202}} The mosque was heavily admired by Akbar's son and successor [[Jahangir]], who called it one of his father's greatest architectural achievements. Jahangir discussed the mosque complex at length with his son Khurram during a stay at Fatehpur Sikri in 1619.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=110}}{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=219}} Khurram went on to become Mughal Emperor [[Shah Jahan]], and cited this mosque as the model for his own [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid at Delhi]].{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=202}}

==Architecture==
[[File:Fatehpur Sikri near Agra 2016-03 img05.jpg|thumb|left|Buland Gate Jama Masjid]]

The Jama Masjid is situated on the highest point of the rocky ridge on which the Fatehpur Sikri site is located.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=52}} It is placed on an elevated plinth, built in order to provide a level surface.{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=219}} The mosque complex is surrounded by enclosure walls; just outside the southern wall is a large ''[[baoli]]'' (octagonal step-well).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Jami' Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri, India|url=https://archnet.org/sites/2648|url-status=live|website=[[ArchNet]]}}</ref> Similar to the rest of Fatehpur Sikri, the mosque is made of locally-quarried red sandstone.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=52}} It also employs yellow sandstone, marble, and slate for decoration, and features [[Persian calligraphy|Persian]] and [[Arabic calligraphy|Arabic]] calligraphy.<ref name=":1" />

At the time of its construction, the mosque was the largest in [[Mughal India]]. It represents a fusion of [[Islamic architecture|Islamic]], [[Hindu architecture|Hindu]], and [[Jain architecture]], with a marked Gujarati influence.<ref name=":1" /> Asher asserts that the mosque draws elements from the [[Jama Masjid, Mandu|Jama Masjid at Mandu]], and the Jama Masjid at [[Chanderi]], both pre-Mughal structures.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=54}} Alfieri also sees an inspiration from pre-Mughal Jama Masjids, but instead cites those at [[Atala Mosque, Jaunpur|Atala]] and [[Jama Mosque, Champaner|Champaner]].{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=220}}

=== Gates ===
The mosque complex is entered via three gates.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=52}} The eastern gate, known as the ''Badshahi Darwaza'' (Imperial Gate), was used by Akbar to access the mosque. It is decorated using cut mosaics. The northern and southern gates may have historically resembled each other - however, in 1573 the southern gate was rebuilt by Akbar as the ''[[Buland Darwaza]]'' (High Gate) to celebrate the success of his [[Akbar's conquest of Gujarat|military campaign in Gujarat]]. It is the most prominent gate and a monument in itself, featuring hallways and rooms over its many floors.{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=220}} Asher says that it is more likely the gate was built to emphasise Akbar's relationship with the [[Chishti Order]].{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=53}}

=== Courtyard ===
The ''[[sahn]]'' (courtyard) is of dimensions 165 m by 130 m. An [[Wudu|ablution]] tank lies in its centre.{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=219-220}} The courtyard's northern, southern, and eastern sides are lined by ''dalans'' (arcades). These are shaded by a continuous, projecting ''[[chhajja]]'' (eave), which is supported by [[corbels]]. ''[[Chhatris]]'' top the parapets of these arcades. The inner bay of the arcades is divided into ''hujra'' (cells), probably used as sleeping quarters for devotees.<ref name=":1" />

Towards the northern side of the courtyard are the [[Tomb of Salim Chishti]] and the tomb of [[Islam Khan I|Islam Khan]]. The former is contrasted from the red sandstone of the Jama Masjid complex by its wholesale use of [[makrana marble]].{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=220}} Underground water reservoirs lie beneath the courtyard.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=52}}

=== Prayer Hall ===
The rectangular prayer hall (dimensions 89 m by 20 m) lies on the western end of the courtyard, facing [[Mecca]] in keeping with Islamic tradition.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=53-54}} Its facade is dominated by a grand ''[[pishtaq]]'', which contains three arched entryways. Three domes rise from the roof, corresponding to the three bays into which the hall is divided.<ref name=":1" /> The central bay is square and richly decorated, featuring geometric marble inlays as well as polychrome floral paintings.{{Sfn|Asher|1992|p=55}} Its western wall bears ornate ''[[mihrabs]]'' (prayer niches), bordered by mosaics and glazed tile.{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=219}} The two side bays are colonnaded halls, each containing a square chamber. These halls contain their own decorated ''mihrabs'', and are supported by [[Hindu architecture|Hindu-style]] pillars.<ref name=":1" /> At the extremities of the prayer hall are [[Zenana|''zenanas'']] (women's galleries).{{Sfn|Alfieri|2000|p=220}}

==See also==
*[[Islam in India]]
*[[Taj Mahal]]
*[[Tomb of Salim Chishti]]
*[[Ibadat Khana]]
*[[Mariam-uz-Zamani]]
*[[Naubat Khana]]
*[[Buland Darwaza]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{Citation|last=Asher|first=Catherine B.|title=Architecture of Mughal India|year=1992|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|isbn=9780521267281}}
* {{Citation|last=Alfieri|first=Bianca Maria|title=Islamic Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent|year=2000|publisher=[[Laurence King Publishing]]|isbn=9781856691895}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Jama Masjid (Fatehpur Sikri)}}
*[http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/agra/fatehpur-sikri/map.html http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/agra/fatehpur-sikri/map.html]
*[http://www.pbase.com/primero/india2006 http://www.pbase.com/primero/india2006]

{{Mosques in India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Agra district]]
[[Category:Fatehpur Sikri]]
[[Category:Mosques in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Archaeological monuments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:16th-century mosques]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1648]]
[[Category:Grand mosques|Fatehpur Sikri]]

Jama Mosque, Fatehpur Sikri - Revision history

Serzude: general refined details for consistency also after review

>Tom.Reding: +{{Authority control}} (1 ID from Wikidata), WP:GenFixes on