History of Jama Masjid, Agra

Jama Masjid in Agra is also known as Jami Masjid. It was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 and he dedicated it to his favorite daughter Jahanara Begum. There used to be spacious, octagonal Tripolia Chowk between Jama Masjid and the Delhi gate of the Agra Fort which was destroyed later to build Agra Fort Railway Station.

Structure of Jama Masjid, Agra

Jama Masjid is a huge mosque situated in the center of Agra and surrounded by a great market. Jama Masjid is not adorned with semi-precious stones unlike other big historical monuments rather it can be said that it is not considered as historical monument because it is still used by the local people to offer prayer. It is a very simple mosque made up of red sandstone. A little amount of white marble has been used for decoration purpose, walls and ceilings have been painted blue. Jami Masjid is beautifully decorated with paintings, inlaid stones, carvings and glazed tiles. There are stairs to approach the mosque and five arched entrances to the courtyard. Jama Masjid has three large sandstone domes which can be distinguished by the zigzag bands of marble.

Within the mosque multifarious you will find the shrine of the Sufi religious leader Sheikh Salim Chisti. The lattice marble screens of the tomb are amazing in their workmanship. The tomb was earlier built in red sandstone and parts of the original structure can also be seen. You can see the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti on tours of the Jama Masjid Agra

This fountain looks very beautiful with four kiosks in its corners. The mosque is still being used by the people to offer prayer and that’s why it is one of the city's main landmarks. Jama Masjid in Agra comprises of pillared Dalan, the 'Chhatri' on the roof and a beautiful 'Chhajja'. The main attraction of the building is its geometrical designs and its simplicity.

Entry Fee

Entry to Jama Masjid is absolutely free.

Akbar'sTomb
A short distance from Agra, lies the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, in Sikandra. Akbar who ruled over the Mughal Empire from 1556 to 1605, began building his mausoleum in the spartan style of Timurid architecture. The mausoleum was completed by his son, the next Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, who added more decorative elements to the design of Akbar's tomb in Sikandra.