Jumma Masjid_Ahmedabad

The Study and use of architectural

spaces inside the mosque in Gujrat

province.

Submitted by

Divya Mehra (UA1814)

Lipi Agarwal (PD001514)

1 | P a g e HUMANITIES

The Study of architectural spaces inside the mosque in

Gujrat province.

Abstract

Mosques are the symbol of Islamic architecture and play a significant role in the

life of people following Islamic religion. The aim of this paper is to understand the

bifurcation of spaces in a mosque and how these spaces are put to use by

devotees. It includes the study of essential parts comprising the mosque structure

and how these spaces are used.

Introduction:

In India, the history of mosque (Masjid) architecture go back to the last decade

of the thirteenth century. The Arabic term Masjid means a place where one

prostrates oneself before god. However mosques tended to be visited for

purposes other than that of worship i.e. it is also used for public assembly. Here

people assemble for prayer behind the prophet. The Imam delivers an address

to the congregation from a pulpit raised by the side of the prayer niche which is

an arched recess set up into the western wall of the sanctuary.

Literature Review

The spaces common to every mosque are Sahn open quadrangle courtyard

enclosed on three sides by covered cloisters or arched cells (riwaq), with either

columns or arches connecting them, and on the qibla side (in India, on the west)

by a larger and deeper pillared hall (liwan). In the middle of the back wall an

arched concave recess (mihrab) is set to indicate the direction of Mecca

towards which one has to turn his face while offering prayers. The imam, as the

leader of the prayers, stands just within the niche. To its right stands the pulpit

(mimbar) which is used for the purpose of delivering the sermon (Khutba).

Minarets in a mosque are used to call the prayers. Then, there is a large tank or a

fountain in the centre of the courtyard for ablutions (wuzu) before saying the

prayer.

Architecture of Mosque in Gujrat

Gujrat mosques are constructed of stone and the single prayer hall type. The

mosques here are characterized by spaciousness, elegance, symmetry and

proportion. The structural system is pillar and lintel with arches and domes

endowed mainly for decorative purpose. A special feature of a Gujrat mosque is

the ingenious device of admitting light by raising a clerestory in the centre of the

prayer hall, with running galleries all round, the connecting panels being encased


in perforated stone-screens. Other distinguishing features are tall and graceful

minarets, which either flank the buttresses marking the central opening of the

closed hall mosque, or appear at the front corners in the open pillared hall ones.

The system of ornament consists of delicately carved stone surfaces and

perforated screens, niches, moldings and string courses.

CASE STUDY (JUMMA MASJID)

The study is to understand one of the largest and oldest mosques of India i.e.

Jumma masjid at Ahmedabad.

Fig, Jumma masjid qibla wall Fig, ornamentation inspired by jain temples.

History of Jumma Masjid

Also known as JUMMA MOSQUE or JAMMI MOSQUE, it was built in 1424 during the

reign of Ahmed Shah. The mosque is in the old part of the city outside the Bhadra

Fort along the road extending to teen darwaza. The mosque was designed by

the emperor as a private mosquito be used by the royal family only.

The architecture consists ample use of yellow sandstone and clearly shows the

blend of Hindu –Muslim styling. The edifice was built using items rescued from the

demolished Hindu and Jain temples, supported by 260 pillars, the Jumma masjid

consists of 15 domes.

Spaces inside the mosque

Most of the architectural effect is concentrated in the sanctuary. The flagged

courtyard is 255’’by 220’’. The architect used two types facades, screens of

arches and pillared portico. These two elements create volume and surface

contrasts, depth and lightness of the colonnade. The large central archways has

large molded buttresses of minarets on either side. The sanctuary is a hypostyle

hall 210”by 95”.


North

Fig, Plan of Jumma Masjid

Entrance:

The entrance to the mosque is from three sides, north, south and east out of which

the north and east side open into the bazaar.

The stone paved footpath is occupied by the hawkers selling bags, accessories,

clothes, footwear and more. Behind that one will find a flight of steps leading to

three marble slabs stating the history of the place engraved on the wall.

The entrance is used by men and women with no separate entries. The doorstep

or dehleez is treated as a place to remove shoes before entering the holy place

even though one can carry them inside keeping in hands.

Fig, Mosque’s North entrance.

The courtyard:

Consists of the ablution tank. This marble floored courtyard can get really hot

during the summers. It also consists of a thin and small chabutra to feed the birds

during summers.


Fig, Courtyard

Ablution tank:

The tank occupies the central position in the rectangular courtyard 75 by 66”. The

ablution tank is an open marble edged tank, partly roofed on four sides,

providing shade for devotees to sit and wash their hands and feet. This tank is

solely used by men since we saw women have been provided a separate

ablution area for the wuzu right next to the entrance at the north façade.

Fig, People performing wuzu

The pillared corridor:

It consists of around 300 slender pillars closely set. The columns are symmetrically

arranged to form 15 bays across the long axis of the hall each surmounted by a

dome. It’s a place to meet and gather where people chat before and after the

prayer. It is also used as an area to keep shoes since the outside may be pestered

with thieves and kids. In the south corridor, one would find a tap water facility

and near that is a room probably used for storing stuff. The walls of the corridor

have been inscribed with Urdu words.


Conclusion

The use of spaces inside the Mosque as by Men and women is distinct. Women

are mostly accompanied by fellow devotees, husbands or children whenever

entering the mosque.

Men are allowed to perform prayer inside the hall while women are allowed to

prayer either at home or while sitting in covered corridors around the courtyard.

Also, the use of ablution tank placed at the centre of courtyard for Wuzu is

prohibited by women which at the same time is one of the necessary custom to

be performed before saying prayer by men. However being alienated from men

folk, they continue to come during the time of azan though fewer in number.


References:

1. Desai, Z.A. March 1966. Mosques of India. Delhi-6. Government of India Press,

Faridabad

2. Jama masjid, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/jamamasjid.com

3. Islamic architecture in India, retrieved from

http://tybarchhistory.weebly.com

4. History of India, retrieved from http://historicaltimeofindia.blogspot.com

Jumma Masjid_Ahmedabad

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