Jama Masjid Lucknow

Adding a unique charm in the historical significance of the city of Nawabs, is the famous Jama Masjid in Lucknow. Built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah Bahadur in the year 1839, Jama Masjid is one of the oldest historical landmarks in Lucknow. Along with being a popular tourist site, it also serves as an important religious centre in Lucknow for the Muslim community. Despite being compared with Jama Masjid of Delhi, this mosque has gained its own popularity because of its unique architectural design. Unlike Delhi's Jama Masjid, this one is built of Lakhuri bricks and is plastered with lime. At present, Jama Masjid along with other popular tourist attractions of Lucknow pioneer the tourism scene of the city.

History

The history of this renowned mosque is quite interesting. In the year 1839, Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah laid the foundation of Jama Masjid in Lucknow as an intention to surpass Jama Masjid of Delhi. However, his dream was left unfulfilled because of his sudden demise. Thereafter, his wife, Malika Jahan Begum, took the charge to finish of the construction of this much-famed mosque in Lucknow. But because of the shortage of funds, the original ambition was curtailed. Despite constructed on a low budget, Jama Masjid has an unrivalled charm.

Architecture

Like most of the popular historical sites in Lucknow, Jama Masjid also boasts an impressive Mughal architecture. It is completely built of Lakhuri bricks and lime. Along with that, the entire structure of the mosque is magnificently adorned with stucco motifs, which adds a different grandeur in the stunning architecture of Jama Masjid. The mosque complex is erected on a square terrace and stands straight on around 260 pillars. Inside the mosque, there is a prayer hall which is rectangular in shape and a beautiful facade of eleven arches that located on the west. The central facade is largest of all with includes an imposing gateway which is also adorned with gorgeous stucco work.