Who built the Jama Masjid in Delhi and when was it constructed?
Emperor Shah Jahan built the Jama Masjid in Delhi between 1650 and 1656. The project utilized a workforce of approximately 5,000 diverse laborers and cost ten lakh rupees at the time.
Questions about Jama Masjid, Delhi
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When was the Jama Masjid in Delhi officially inaugurated and by whom?
The Jama Masjid in Delhi was officially inaugurated on the 23rd of July 1656 by Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari. This scholar was invited from Bukhara in modern-day Uzbekistan to serve as the Shahi Imam or Royal Imam.
What is the capacity of the Jama Masjid in Delhi and how many worshippers can it accommodate?
The Jama Masjid in Delhi can accommodate 25,000 worshippers in its square courtyard. The prayer hall measures 150 meters long and 69 meters wide with a floor laid with white and black ornamented marble.
When was the Jama Masjid in Delhi returned to the Muslim population after British confiscation?
The Jama Masjid in Delhi was returned to the Muslim population in 1862 after being used as barracks for Sikh and European soldiers. The return came with strict conditions including mandatory policing and the establishment of the Jama Masjid Managing Committee.
When did Abul Kalam Azad deliver a speech at the Jama Masjid in Delhi during the Partition of India?
Abul Kalam Azad delivered a speech from the Jama Masjid in Delhi on the 23rd of October 1947 during Thursday prayers. The tomb of Abul Kalam Azad is located adjacent to the mosque as a testament to the site's connection to India's struggle for independence.
When was the Jama Masjid in Delhi closed and adorned in black cloth during the Babri Masjid dispute?
The Jama Masjid in Delhi was closed and adorned in black cloth on the 28th of May 1987 amidst rising communal tensions. This decision was made by the Shahi Imam Abdullah Bukhari to symbolize Muslim resentment of government actions regarding the dispute.