LouieWebb342 at 11:07, 17 November 2025

2025-11-17T11:07:35Z

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{{Short description|Former mosque, now monument, in Delhi, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Begumpur Mosque
| image = Begampur Masjid.jpg
| image_upright = 1.4
| caption = View of the Bishtak from the courtyard
| location = [[South Delhi]], [[National Capital Territory of Delhi|Delhi NCT]]
| country = [[India]]
| map_type = India Delhi central
| map_size = 250
| map_alt =
| map_relief = 1
| map_caption = Location of the former mosque in [[Central Delhi]]
| coordinates = {{coord|28.626123019683448|77.20035117495007|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN-DL|display=it}}
| religious_affiliation = [[Islam]] {{small|(former)}}
| status = [[Mosque]] {{small|)former)}}
| functional_status = '''Inactive''';<br/>{{small|(partial ruinous state)}}
| administration = [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
| consecration_year =
| year_completed = {{start date and age|1343}}
| architect = Zahiruddin alJuyush
| architecture_type = {{nowrap|[[Mosque architecture]]}}
| architecture_style = {{ubl|[[Tughlaq dynasty|Tughluqid]]|[[Indo-Islamic architecture|Indo-Islamic]]|[[Timurid architecture|Timurid]]}}
| length = {{convert|94|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}
| width = {{convert|90|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}
| dome_quantity = 64
| minaret_quantity =
| materials = Rubble; masonry; [[red sandstone]]; marble; tiles
| module = {{Infobox historic site
| embed = yes
| designation1 = MANI | designation1_offname = Begampuri Masjid | designation1_type = | designation1_criteria = | designation1_date = | delisted1_date = | designation1_partof = | designation1_number = N-DL-8 | designation1_free1name = | designation1_free1value = | designation1_free2name = | designation1_free2value = | designation1_free3name = | designation1_free3value = }}
}}

The '''Begumpur Mosque''' or '''Begumpur Masjid''',{{efn|Various alternative spelling includes: ''Begumpuri Masjid'' and ''Begampuri Masjid''.}} also known as the '''Jam'i Masjid of Jahanpanah''', is a former [[Congregational mosque|Friday mosque]], now in partial ruins, located in an urban village called Begumpur, which now bears its modern name, [[Jahanpanah]]. The former mosque was built in the centre of the sultanate capital of the [[Tughlaq dynasty|Tughluq dynasty]], in {{circa|1343}} [[Common Era|CE]]. The former mosque is large, measuring {{convert|307|by|295|ft|m|order=flip}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Begumpur Mosque |url=https://www.archnet.org/sites/1563 |date= |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.archnet.org}}</ref>

The former mosque is a [[Monuments of National Importance (India)|Monument of National Importance]],<ref name="ASI MNI">{{Cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-delhi/|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of Delhi |work=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref> administered by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] in order to restore the monument.

== History ==
Jahanpanah means "the centre of the world," and the village was built by the order of [[Muhammad bin Tughluq]] in 1327 [[Common Era|CE]]. The founding of this city aimed to protect the sultanate against any external invasion. The city had thirteen gates and numerous monuments that were credited to the Tughluq dynasty.<ref name=":0"/>

Knowledge of the history of the Begumpur Mosque is somewhat limited, as the identity of its patrons is unclear, with two theories in place. The first theory suggests that it was built during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq in 1343 CE, by or under the guidance of the Iranian architect Zahiruddin al-Juyush, also credited with the construction of the [[Khorramabad|Khurramabad]] Palace.<ref name="Welch 1983 123–166">{{Cite journal |last1=Welch |first1=Anthony |last2=Crane |first2=Howard |date=1983 |title=The Tughluqs: Master Builders of the Delhi Sultanate |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1523075 |journal=Muqarnas |volume=1 |pages=123–166 |doi=10.2307/1523075 |jstor=1523075 |issn=0732-2992|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The second theory suggests that it was built by Khan-i Jahan Junan Shah, vizier of [[Firuz Shah Tughlaq|Firuz Shah Tughluq]], as one of the seven mosques built under his patronage.<ref name=":0"/>

=== Use ===
After serving as a mosque for several decades, the structure was used as a village in the early twentieth century before the restoration and cleaning.
[[File:The Begumpuri Masjid before clearing, early twentieth century.png|thumb|185x185px|The mosque before clearing, early twentieth century]]

In 1902, Herbert Charles Fanshawe wrote: {{blockquote|"The Begumpuri Masjid is the finest of the mosques built by Jahan Khan, and well deserves a visit, although the arcades of the mosque are occupied by a village, in which some English refugees were long concealed in 1857. … it is the next largest at Delhi to the Jama Masjid of Shahjehan."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fanshawe |first=Herbert Charles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=94VbiW917CUC |title=Delhi Past and Present |date=1902 |publisher=J. Murray |language=en}}</ref>}}

The site currently is under the supervision of the [[Archaeological Survey of India|Archeological Survey of India]]. Presently, the site does not serve any religious purposes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Saini |first=Simran K. |date=2021-01-01 |title=Religious Architecture During the Tughlaq Period: A Case of Begumpuri Masjid |url=https://www.academia.edu/66886046 |journal=Ijtihad}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
[[File:Ground floor plan of the Begumpur Mosque.png|thumb|Ground floor plan|200x200px]]

The dimensions of the mosque are {{convert|307|by|295|ft|m|order=flip}}. The courtyard plan of the mosque is influenced by the [[Timurid architecture|Timurid]] type.<ref name=porter>{{Cite journal |last1=Porter |first1=Yves |last2=Castinel |first2=Richard |date=2018 |title=Jahanpanah's Jamiʿ Masjid (circa 1343): A Reassessment |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26742191 |journal=Muqarnas |volume=35 |pages=83–124 |doi=10.1163/22118993_03501P005 |jstor=26742191 |issn=0732-2992|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The mosque contains four ''[[Riwaq (arcade)|riwaqs]]'' (portico) and an enormous ''[[sahn]]'' (courtyard) measuring {{convert|75|by|65|m}}. A deeper prayer hall, facing [[Mecca]], is located to the west and is the largest ''riwaq''. The mosque is entered from only the eastern side through a magnificent gate. On the northern [[façade]] of the Begumpur Masjid, stands a square structure known as ''muluk khana'' (The Royal [[Loggia]]), which functions as a private entrance and a prayer hall for the royals.<ref name="Welch 1983 123–166"/>
[[File:Entrance Gateway to Begumpur Masjid.JPG|thumb|200x200px|Entrance gateway]]

=== Exterior ===
[[File:Pillared Corridor at Begumpur Masjid Complex.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Pillared corridor]]
The Begumpur Mosque has an enormous domed entrance structure that stands tall above the street level, accessed by three-sided vertical steps. Unlike the [[Khirki Mosque|Khirki]] or Kotla mosques, the ground floor is not used for the excavated niches. The mosque's walls represent the Tughluq slope walls, consisting of [[rubble masonry]], which has been covered with a layer of thick [[stucco]]. The walls were originally decorated with blue-glazed tiles that are still present in some places.<ref name=porter/><ref name="Welch 1983 123–166"/>

=== Interior ===
The four-''[[iwan]]'' plan was introduced for the first time in [[Indo-Islamic architecture]].<ref name="Welch 1983 123–166"/> There is an ''iwan'' and a dome in the middle of each ''[[Riwaq (arcade)|riwaq]].'' The arches on each ''riwaq'' are approximately {{convert|12|ft|m|order=flip}} high, and {{convert|16.5|ft|m|order=flip}} wide,<ref name=":0"/> There are about 45 rooms distributed in all the four sides of the mosque. The main hall is covered by a large dome while smaller domes are constructed over the bays of the colonnades. There are two tapering turrets on both sides of the starts of the ''iwan'', which is a unique feature of the Tughluq architectural style. This structure, referred to as a "pylon" is very large enough to hide the large domes that cover the prayer hall.<ref name=":0"/>

=== Material and decoration ===
The materials in the Begumpur Mosque are mainly rubble masonry covered with mortar, which was molded to fit its architectural forms. [[Red sandstone]] was also used for the decorative carved motifs and for the ''[[jali]]s'' of the ''muluk khana'' and it was also used in the "royal" [[mihrab]].<ref name=porter/> The mosque had a lot of decorative carved stucco, much of it has now disappeared or been restored. The building in its current condition lost a lot of its original ornamentations. It still has remains of blooming lotuses relief-carved in red sandstone.<ref name=porter/> Most of the sixty-four domes of the mosque feature this lotus motif. Regrettably, many of these domes either collapsed or were covered with white plaster.<ref name=porter/>

=== Mihrabs ===
[[File:Sacred Wall.jpg|thumb|191x191px|The main [[mihrab]]|left]]
The main [[mihrab]] showcases a two-color palette reminiscent of the [[Alai Darwaza|'Ala'i Darwaza]]. The materials used in the mihrab are [[red sandstone]] and white [[marble]], which are very common material compositions of the Indo-Islamic style. The mihrab inside the [[Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq]] tomb at [[Tughlaqabad Fort|Tughluqabad]] has also common features; aesthetics, proportions and the use of red sandstone and white marble.

=== Epigraphy ===
A few inscriptions remain within the monument. Invocations to [[Allah]] can be found at the entrance and the ''muluk khana''. Within the ''muluk khana'', there are three epigraphic [[Medallion (architecture)|medallions]] above the central mihrab. Their inscriptions are in classical ''[[thuluth]]'', featuring Quranic quotations from Surah 3 ([[Al Imran|'Al ‘Imran]]).<ref name=porter/>

=== Influences ===
The Begumpur Mosque has a number of similar features to [[Qutb Minar complex|Quwwat al-Islam Complex]]. Both have their monumental external approaches, narrow ''riwaqs'' and their cupolas marking the four directions, thus privileging the cruciform plan. Both monuments share a certain "community of vision."<ref name=porter/> The bishtak of the Begumpur Mosque exhibits a clear influence from the Timurid style of [[Bibi-Khanym Mosque]]. They are almost identical in their main feature; sloping towers and the [[Ogee|OGEE]] arches, however, the Bibi Khanym is richer in decoration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Bernard |title=BĪBĪ KHANOM MOSQUE |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/bibi-khanom-mosque-named-after-bibi-khanom-otherwise-known-as-saray-molk-khanom-chief-wife-of-timur-r |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=iranicaonline.org |language=en-US}}</ref><gallery widths="220">
File:SamarkandBibiKhanym.jpg|Bishtak of Bibi Khanym Mosque
File:Begumpuri Masjid Central pishtaq.jpg|Bishtak of Begumpur Mosque
</gallery>

== Closure ==
[[File:Begumpuri Masjid Broken roof (3010281566).jpg|thumb|200x200px|The broken roof, in 2008]]
The continuous expansion and the increasing population, have resulted in a situation of overcrowding within the region. It is worth noting that the Begumpur Mosque is being protected under [[Archaeological Survey of India|the Archeological Survey of India]] and as mentioned above, presently, the site does not function as a mosque. There are currently no plans in place for the restoration to safeguard its historical significance. At present, the monument is not in a good state, with many fallen domes and broken roofs.<ref name=":0"/>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Begumpuri Mosque Front Gate.jpg|Entrance to the mosque
Begumpur mosque.jpg|View of the Bishtak from the courtyard
Overview of Courtyard Begumpur masjid.jpg|Overview of the courtyard
Begumpuri mosque 6.jpg|View of the courtyard
South wall of Begumpur Masjid.JPG|South wall of the mosque
Begumpur Mosque loyal pigeons.jpg|View of one of the domes
Begumpuri Masjid East gate detail (3010304346).jpg|Eastern ''[[Iwan]]'' details
Begumpuri Masjid from afar (3010274298).jpg|The mosque with its surroundings
Begumpuri Masjid Mosque corner and village (3363442256).jpg|The mosque with its surroundings
Begumpur Mosque Bharat Tiwari 1.jpg|View of the arcades
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{stack|{{portal|India|Islam}}}}
* [[Islam in India]]
* [[List of mosques in India]]
* [[List of Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]

==Notes ==
{{noteslist}}

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
{{commons cat-inline|Begumpuri Masjid}}

{{Mosques in India|state=expanded}}
{{Delhi}}

[[Category:14th-century mosques in India]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Delhi]]
[[Category:Architecture of the Tughlaq dynasty]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1343]]
[[Category:Indo-Islamic mosques]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mosque buildings with domes in India]]
[[Category:Mosques completed in the 1340s]]
[[Category:Mosques in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mosque ruins in India]]
[[Category:Timurid mosques]]
[[Category:South Delhi district]]

Begumpur Mosque - Revision history

LouieWebb342 at 11:07, 17 November 2025