
Jama Masjid, Delhi

The Masjid-i Jehan-Numa (), commonly known as the Jama Masjid (from ) of Delhi, is one of the largest mosques in India.
It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1650 and 1656, and inaugurated by its first Imam, Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari. Prior to the construction of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, it was the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent, and is today the second-largest mosque in India. Situated in the Mughal capital of Shahjahanabad (today Old Delhi), it served as the imperial mosque of the Mughal emperors until the demise of the empire in 1857. The Jama Masjid was regarded as a symbolic node of Islamic power across India, well into the colonial era. It was also a site of political significance during several key periods of British rule. It remains in active use, and is one of Delhi's most iconic sites, closely identified with the ethos of Old Delhi. 
Names.
The mosque has two names. The older one, bestowed by Shah Jahan, is "'Masjid-i-Jehān-Numā'", roughly translating to "mosque commanding the view of the world" in Persian and Urdu. The other more common one is "'Jāmā Masjid'", which emerged among the common populace. Its literal translation in Arabic is "congregational mosque". It is used in the sense of 'Friday mosque' ("Juma Masjid"), since this is when the congregational prayer is held. The term "'Jama Masjid"' and its usage in this sense is not unique to Delhi's mosque; it has been used since as early as the 7th century in the Islamic world to denote the community mosque, and hence many around the world bear this name and its variants.
Location.
The mosque is located within the historic city of Shahjahanabad, today known as the locality of Old Delhi. Across from the mosque are the Red Fort and Sunehri Masjid. As one of the focal points of Old Delhi, Jama Masjid is surrounded by various commercial centres, such as Meena Bazaar and the historic Chandni Chowk. The tomb of Abul Kalam Azad, Indian independence activist, is located adjacent to the mosque.
History.
Construction and Mughal Era.
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Jama Masjid between 1650 and 1656. The mosque was designed by architect Ustad Khalil, and constructed by approximately 5000 workers. The workforce was diverse, consisting of Indians, Arabs, Persians, Turks, and Europeans. The construction was supervised primarily by Sadullah Khan, the wazir (or prime minister) during Shah Jahan's reign, and Fazil Khan, the comptroller of Shah Jahan's household. The cost of the construction at the time was ten lakh (one million) rupees. The mosque was inaugurated on 23 July, 1656 by Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari, from Bukhara, Uzbekistan. He had been invited by Shah Jahan to be the "Shahi Imam" (Royal Imam) of the mosque. 
The iconic mosque was one of the last monuments built under Shah Jahan. After its completion, it served as the royal mosque of the emperors until the end of the Mughal period. The "khutba" was recited by the Mughal emperor during the Friday noon prayer, legitimising his rule. The mosque was hence a symbol of Mughal sovereignty in India, carrying political significance. It was also an important centre of social life for the residents of Shahjahanabad. It provided a space transcending class divide for diverse people to meet and discuss intellectual and political matters.
British Raj.
The British took over Shahjahanabad in 1803. The Mughal Emperor remained the ritual imperial head of the mosque, but Mughal power and patronage had significantly waned. The initial policy of the British in the city was favourable towards its residents; the British undertook repairs and even renovations of the Jama Masjid. The Masjid continued to serve as a site of social and political discourse, in keeping with other mosques of Delhi at the time; for example, theological and philosophical debates were held between Muslims and Christians. 
The Revolt of 1857 was a major turning point in this situation. This event resulted in the deaths of many British people in the city, and weakened colonial authority, deeply affronting the British. It also ended the Mughal empire. The British perceived the revolt as instigated by Muslims, cultivated within Delhi's mosques. After the British reclaimed the city in the same year, they razed many mosques and banned the congregation of Muslims in any remaining mosques. The Jama Masjid fell into British confiscation during this time, and was barred from any religious use, as was the case with all the remaining mosques of Delhi. The Masjid was repeatedly considered for destruction, but the British eventually began using it as barracks for its Sikh and European soldiers, which was a desecration of the space. Aziz characterises this as a conscious decision on the part of the British, in order to insult the sentiments of the city's Muslim inhabitants.The Masjid was eventually returned to the Muslim population in 1862, due to their increasing resentment of British actions. It was the culmination of an arduous process spanning 15 years. Multiple conditions were imposed, including the usage of Jama Masjid as strictly a religious site, as well as mandatory policing by the British. The Jama Masjid Managing Committee (JMMC), consisting of respected Muslims of Delhi, was established as a formal body to represent the mosque and enforce these conditions. 
Upon its return, the Jama Masjid was reestablished as a mosque. Though the Mughal state had been dissolved, the mosque received patronage from various regional Islamic rulers and nobles. In 1886, the Nawab of Rampur donated a large sum of 1,55,000 rupees to facilitate repairs. In 1926, a donation from the Nizam of Hyderabad of 1,00,000 rupees was used for similar purposes.
Growing unrest against British rule manifested in Delhi's mosques from 1911. The Jama Masjid was frequently used for non-religious, political purposes, against the rules instituted. While the British could police and clamp down on political activities in public spaces, the Jama Masjid was a religious space and was hence protected from such action, by both law (Religious Endowment Act, 1863) and the sentiments of Delhi. Hindus often gathered with Muslims in the mosque to express anti-colonial solidarity, in spite of simmering tension between the communities in the colonial period.
During 1948, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah VII was asked for a donation of 75,000 rupees to repair one-fourth of the mosque floor. The Nizam instead sanctioned 3,00,000 rupees, stating that the remaining three-fourths of the mosque should not look old.
Post-Colonial Era.
The Jama Masjid continued to be a political symbol after independence. Indian independence activist Abul Kalam Azad delivered a speech from its pulpit during the Friday prayer of 23 October, 1947. The Partition of India was underway, causing massive population movements in Delhi. Azad implored the Muslims of Delhi to remain in India, and attempted to reassure them that India was still their homeland.
The Jama Masjid also served as a site of significance with regards to the infamous Babri Masjid dispute. In the 1980s, efforts by right-wing Hindu nationalists had been picking up to allow Hindu worship at the Babri Masjid. The issue was deeply affecting Hindu-Muslim relationships. Abdullah Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid at the time, made several political speeches in 1986 regarding the matter from the Masjid, condemning the political support given to the Hindu cause and mobilising Muslim sentiments. In one instance this ignited riots and clashes in Old Delhi. In 1987, Jama Masjid was the staging point for a major peaceful protest regarding the Babri Masjid dispute. On 28 May 1987, amidst rising communal tensions and riots all over India, the Jama Masjid was closed by the Imam and adorned in black cloth, symbolising Muslim resentment of government actions at the time. The decision was highly controversial among Islamic leadership. Within two weeks, the Indian government acquiesced to Bukhari's political demands.
Modern era.
The Jama Masjid serves as Delhi's primary mosque, and has a largely congregational function. The Muslims of the city traditionally gather here to offer communal Friday prayer, as well as for major festivals such as Eid. The mosque is also a major tourist attraction, and derives a significant amount of income through the visits of foreigners.
The function of the mosque as an autonomous political space has continued in the modern era. For example, in 2001 (in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks) the mosque was a site of protest against U.S bombings in Afghanistan. In 2019, massive protests occurred at the site due to the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act.
In 2006, it was reported that the mosque was in urgent need of repair, following which the Saudi Arabian king Abdullah offered to pay for it. The Imam said that he had received the offer directly from the Saudi authorities, but requested them to approach the Indian government. However, the Delhi High Court said that this matter had no "legal sanctity" giving no "special equities" to the Imam.
2006 Jama Masjid explosions.
On the 14th of April in 2006, there were two explosions which came soon after Friday prayers and occurred in swift succession. It was unclear how the blasts occurred. Among the casualties, one was in serious condition, whereas eight other people sustained minor injuries. Imam Ahmed Bukhari commented, "there is anger among our people but I am appealing to them to maintain calm".
2010 Jama Masjid attack.
On the 15th of September in 2010, two Taiwanese tourists were injured after gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on a bus parked near gate number three of the mosque. After the attack, the police detained 30 people to question and the area was turned into a fortress because policemen were heavily deployed.
In November 2011, the Delhi Police arrested six members of the Indian Mujahideen who were believed to be behind the Jama Masjid blast along with the Pune German bakery blast. Sources said that the "'main man' Imran" allegedly planted the bomb in a car outside the mosque. In September 2013 it was reported that Yasin Bhatkal, a leader of the group, along with Assadullah Akhtar, were arrested the month before and they admitted that they carried out the attack with the on-the-run Pakistani national Waqas. Yasin said that he was ordered by Karachi-based IM head Riyaz Bhatkal to do the task as the Imam allowed "semi-naked" foreigners inside it.
Architecture.
The Jama Masjid was built as a part of Shah Jahan's new capital in Delhi, Shahjahanabad. It is considered the best among all mosques built during the Mughal Empire, as it has the best mixture of marble and limestone. The exterior of the mosque was modelled after the Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri, while the interior resembles the Jama Masjid in Agra. The architecture and plan of Badshahi Masjid, which was built by Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb in Lahore, is closely related to that of Delhi's Jama Masjid. 
The mosque complex is built on a red sandstone porch, which is about from ground level and spreads over 1200 square metres. The mosque itself is about long and wide. The complex is oriented such that the back wall faces the west, towards Mecca. The mosque has three grand gates, four towers and two 40-metre tall minarets constructed using strips of red sandstone and smooth white marble. An imperial college, imperial dispensary, and madrasa used to lie adjacent to the structure, but were destroyed in the uprisings of 1857. 
Entryways.
The northern gate has 39 steps and the southern one has 33 steps. The eastern gate was the "shahi" (royal) entrance, reserved only for the use of the Emperor and his associates; it has 35 steps. In the present day, this gate remains closed during weekdays. The cabinet located in the north gate has a collection of relics of Muhammad – the Quran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints embedded in a marble block. 
Courtyard.
The open courtyard is paved with red sandstone, and faces the eastern gate. It can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and occupies 408 square feet. In its centre lies an ablution tank, measuring 17 m in length and 15 m in width. Open arcades run along the edges of the courtyard, through which the surroundings of the Masjid are visible. Chhatris mark the four corners of the courtyard, rising above the arcades. 
Prayer Hall.
The prayer hall measures 61 metres in length and 27.5 metres in breadth. It is made up of high cusped arches, and three marble domes rise up from the prayer hall's roof. Above the entrances of the prayer hall are some calligraphic pieces in Persian. The surfaces of the hall's interior also feature many Arabic inscriptions. The hall is floored with white and black ornamented marble to look like a Muslim prayer mat. Beside it, a thin black border measuring long and wide is marked for the Muslim worshippers. There are 899 total such boxes. 
Minarets.
The mosque's domes are flanked by two lofty minarets which are high and longitudinally striped with marble and red sandstone. The minarets consist of 130 steps segmented into five storeys, each with a protruding balcony. The adjoining edifices are filled with calligraphy. The first three storeys of the minarets are made of red sandstone, the fourth of marble and the fifth of sandstone.
Shahi Imam.
The Imams of Delhi's Jama Masjid have traditionally been the direct descendants of the first Imam of the Masjid, Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari, who was appointed by Shah Jahan. Their position is known as that of the "Shahi Imam," or Royal Imam. The person next-in-line to the position is known as the "Naib Imam", or Deputy Imam. The Shahi Imams bear the last name of "Bukhari," denoting their ancestral origin in Bukhara (of modern day Uzbekistan). The imams that have occupied the position upto the present day, are given below.