The mosque is among the earliest examples of the Indo-Islamic architecture.
It was designed by Abu Bakr of Herat, an architect who accompanied Muhammad Ghori.
The mosque was built almost entirely by Hindu masons, under the supervision of Afghan managers.

The mosque is much larger than the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque of Delhi.
The exterior of the building is square-shaped, with each side measuring 259 feet.
There are two entrances, one at the south, and another at the east.
The prayer area (the actual mosque) is located in the west, while the north side faces a hill rock.
The actual mosque building on the western side has 10 domes and 124 pillars; there are 92 pillars on the eastern side; and 64 pillars on each of the remaining sides.
Thus, there are 344 pillars in the entire building.
Out of these, only 70 pillars remain standing now.
It has a square dimension measuring 80 m (260 ft).
The tall and slender pillars are not overcrowded and the ones in  the courtyard are symmetrically placed.
The sanctuary measures 43 m (141 ft) by 12 m (39 ft).
The mihrab is built with white marbles.
It is believed that Iltumish added the seven arch screen by 1230, is considered to be an architecturally most notable feature of the mosque.
The large central arch is accompanied by two small fluted minarets.

The front facade of the structure features a huge screen with yellow limestone arches, built during the reign of Iltutmish.
The main arch is nearly 60 feet high, and is flanked by six smaller arches.
The arches have small rectangular panels for passage of daylight, similar to the ones found in early Arabian mosques.
The archway features Kufic and Tughra inscriptions and quotations from Koran, and is reminiscent of Islamic architecture from Ghazni and Turkistan.
Some of the carvings feature Arabesque floral and foliate patterns; their geometric symmetry is reminiscent of Persian tilework.
Their filigree sets them apart from Hindu-style carvings in the same building.
The Hindu patterns are similar to the ones seen in the 10th century structures at Nagda and the 11th century Sas-Bahu Temple at Gwalior.
The 19th century American traveler John Fletcher Hurst described the screen as "a gem of great renown throughout the Mohammedan world."

The interior of the building is a quadrangle measuring 200 × 175 feet.
It comprises a main hall (248 × 40 feet) supported by cloisters of pillars.
The pillars feature varying designs, and heavily decorated, similar to the ones in Hindu and Jain rock temples.
They have large bases, and taper as they rise in height.
According to K.D.L. Khan, the pillars and roofs are from the pre-Islamic structure, but the original carvings were destroyed by  Muslims.
Michael W. Meister believes that some of the pillars were newly created by Hindu masons for their Muslim masters; these were combined with the older, plundered pillars (whose images were defaced).
Similarly, he states that the ceilings combine newer and older work by Hindu workers.

The muazzin's towers are located in two small minarets (10.5 in diameter).
These minarets are located at the top of an 11.5 feet thick screen wall.
The minarets are now ruined, but their remnants show that they were sloping hollow towers with 24 alternately angular and circular flutes, just like the ones in the Qutb Minar of Delhi.

Alexander Cunningham praised the architecture of Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra and Quwwat-ul-Islam mosques in the following words:
In boldness of design, and grandeur of conception, which are perhaps due to the genius of the Islamite architect, these two splendid mosques of the first Indian Muhammadans are only surpassed by the soaring sublimity of the Christian Cathedrals.
But in gorgeous prodigality of ornament, in beautiful richness of tracery, and endless variety of detail, in delicate sharpness of finish, and laborious accuracy of workmanship, all of which are due to the Hindu masons, I think that these two grand Indian mosques may justly vie with the noblest buildings which the world has yet produced.

Scottish architectural historian James Fergusson similarly remarked
The mosque is among the earliest examples of the Indo-Islamic architecture. It was designed by Abu Bakr of Herat, an architect who accompanied Muhammad Ghori. The mosque was built almost entirely by Hindu masons, under the supervision of Afghan managers.
The mosque is much larger than the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque of Delhi. The exterior of the building is square-shaped, with each side measuring 259 feet. There are two entrances, one at the south, and another at the east. The prayer area (the actual mosque) is located in the west, while the north side faces a hill rock. The actual mosque building on the western side has 10 domes and 124 pillars; there are 92 pillars on the eastern side; and 64 pillars on each of the remaining sides. Thus, there are 344 pillars in the entire building. Out of these, only 70 pillars remain standing now. It has a square dimension measuring 80 m (260 ft). The tall and slender pillars are not overcrowded and the ones in  the courtyard are symmetrically placed. The sanctuary measures 43 m (141 ft) by 12 m (39 ft). The mihrab is built with white marbles. It is believed that Iltumish added the seven arch screen by 1230, is considered to be an architecturally most notable feature of the mosque. The large central arch is accompanied by two small fluted minarets. 
The front facade of the structure features a huge screen with yellow limestone arches, built during the reign of Iltutmish. The main arch is nearly 60 feet high, and is flanked by six smaller arches. The arches have small rectangular panels for passage of daylight, similar to the ones found in early Arabian mosques. The archway features Kufic and Tughra inscriptions and quotations from Koran, and is reminiscent of Islamic architecture from Ghazni and Turkistan. Some of the carvings feature Arabesque floral and foliate patterns; their geometric symmetry is reminiscent of Persian tilework. Their filigree sets them apart from Hindu-style carvings in the same building. The Hindu patterns are similar to the ones seen in the 10th century structures at Nagda and the 11th century Sas-Bahu Temple at Gwalior. The 19th century American traveler John Fletcher Hurst described the screen as "a gem of great renown throughout the Mohammedan world."
The interior of the building is a quadrangle measuring 200 × 175 feet. It comprises a main hall (248 × 40 feet) supported by cloisters of pillars. The pillars feature varying designs, and heavily decorated, similar to the ones in Hindu and Jain rock temples. They have large bases, and taper as they rise in height. According to K.D.L. Khan, the pillars and roofs are from the pre-Islamic structure, but the original carvings were destroyed by  Muslims. Michael W. Meister believes that some of the pillars were newly created by Hindu masons for their Muslim masters; these were combined with the older, plundered pillars (whose images were defaced). Similarly, he states that the ceilings combine newer and older work by Hindu workers.
The muazzin's towers are located in two small minarets (10.5 in diameter). These minarets are located at the top of an 11.5 feet thick screen wall. The minarets are now ruined, but their remnants show that they were sloping hollow towers with 24 alternately angular and circular flutes, just like the ones in the Qutb Minar of Delhi.
Alexander Cunningham praised the architecture of Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra and Quwwat-ul-Islam mosques in the following words:
In boldness of design, and grandeur of conception, which are perhaps due to the genius of the Islamite architect, these two splendid mosques of the first Indian Muhammadans are only surpassed by the soaring sublimity of the Christian Cathedrals. But in gorgeous prodigality of ornament, in beautiful richness of tracery, and endless variety of detail, in delicate sharpness of finish, and laborious accuracy of workmanship, all of which are due to the Hindu masons, I think that these two grand Indian mosques may justly vie with the noblest buildings which the world has yet produced.
Scottish architectural historian James Fergusson similarly remarked
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra