Badi Masjid, also known as the Jama Mosque, was built in the 15th century and is one of the largest mosques in India. It is situated 2.2 km northeast of Jaunpur. The mosque was built by Hussain Shah Sharqi of the Jaunpur Sultanate. Prayers are performed every Friday, and it is a major tourist attraction.
The mosque is indeed vast, resembling a giant fortress. The stone walls are very sturdy and have withstood the test of time. The entire building is robust and tough. The foundation of the mosque was laid in 1438 by Ibrahim Shah, but the construction of the steps began only in 1440 after his death. It is said that Ibrahim Shah built the mosque to provide employment for local people who were suffering due to a famine at the time. The mosque was constructed in stages and was finally completed in 1473 by the last monarch, Hussain Shah.
Badi Majid, Jaunpur
The mosque stands tall at a height of 200 feet and is located in Purani Bazar, in an area called Shah Ganj. It is an important monument that reflects the architectural style of the Sharki period. The mosque is artistic, and there are 27 steps one must climb to reach it. It has a huge courtyard and a central pond where people wash their hands and feet before performing the evening prayers. When we arrived at the mosque, it was closed, but some locals opened the main gate for us, allowing us to venture inside. I walked across the courtyard, admiring the view and watching pigeons fly past me. The mosque has many pigeons flying around it.
The decorations and engravings on the walls are in an Egyptian style. The design of the stone arches and pillars is unique, and I managed to capture some great photographs. It felt peaceful, and there was hardly anyone there at the time of our visit, so I was able to fully absorb the atmosphere of the place.
Along with Lal Darwaza and Atala Masjid, this is the third most important mosque in the city and by far the largest. It is a must-see for all tourists visiting Jaunpur.
