Jama Masjid, Mandu, Islamic mosque in Mandu, India.
Jama Masjid is an Islamic place of worship in Mandu with three main domes and dozens of smaller ones rising above a large prayer hall. A raised courtyard ringed by columns surrounds the main structure, with multiple entry points leading into the covered spaces.
Construction began during Hoshang Shah's reign and finished in 1454 under Mahmud Khilji, demonstrating the Malwa Sultanate's reach and resources. The completion marked a turning point in how the kingdom expressed its authority through religious architecture.
The inscriptions at the eastern entrances reference the Damascus Mosque, linking Indian and Middle Eastern religious traditions through its design. Walking through the structure, you feel the spiritual focus of the prayer hall that guided worshippers for centuries.
The structure sits on a raised platform, so expect steps when entering from ground level. Multiple entrances give you different routes to explore the interior and courtyard areas.
The building blends Afghan design traditions with Indian construction methods in ways not found elsewhere in the region, visible in its raised foundation and marble details. This fusion happened because craftsmen from different areas collaborated under a single ruler.
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