SHRI RAMSWAROOP MEMORIAL

UNIVERSITY
LUCKNOW – DEVA ROAD, UTTAR PRADESH

INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND

PLANNING

RESEARCH - IV
BAR5008

TOPIC – STUDY ABOUT PROVINCIAL ARCHITECTURE OF JAUNPUR

AND ITS CURRENT CONDITION
SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

AR.MEENAKSHI SINGH SACHIN KUMAR

PATEL

B. ARCH II ST YEAR
IIND SEM

SESSION: 2020 -21

STUDY ABOUT PROVINCIAL ARCHITECTURE OF JAUNPUR AND ITS

CURRENT CONDITION

INTRODUCTION

CITY OF INSPIRATION - JAUNPUR

The inspiration for many Mughal monuments, Jaunpur was hailed as Shiraz-e-Hind – Shiraz in Iran was
famous for its natural beauty and historical grandeur – by Shah Jahan, the builder of the very monument
in whose shadow the city now lies forgotten. Dying under the weight of this cruel irony are Jaunpur’s
unique historical edifices.

Founded by the Delhi sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq in 1359 AD, Jaunpur was named after his predecessor
Malik Jauna, popularly known as Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He erected a fort, featuring a hamam and a
mosque, among other buildings.

In 1394, the Tughlaq governor of Jaunpur Malik Sarwar, bestowed with the title of Malik-us-Sharq, or
Lord of the East, declared his independence and founded the Sharqi dynasty.

The Pathan builders of the Sharqi dynasty were the first, according to the architectural historian James
Fergusson, to successfully blend the Indic and Islamic styles of architecture, an amalgamation that the
Mughals emulated later. The epitome of this admixture is the Atala Masjid, built primarily from reused
material. A lofty central pishtaq (propylon) hiding the squinch dome became the defining feature of
Sharqi architecture. Separate zenana enclosures have latticed screens while a black marble mihrab is
adorned with ornately carved architraves. This style is replicated, with minor variations, in other
monuments of Jaunpur such as the Jama Masjid, Lal Darwaza, Jhanjhari Masjid and Khalis Mukhlis
Masjid. Including the tombs and palaces of the Sharqi kings, there are over a dozen monuments in
Jaunpur.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
Making into the consideration how rich the Jaunpur heritages are my main focus is to study about the
following heritage sites and its current condition. My main focus will be Atala Mosque and lal Darwaja
which are an important heritage site in jaunpur which were build by Firuz Shah Tughlaq in 1359 AD. The
prominent structures were the mosques.

CASE AND METHOD

The prominent
structures were the
mosques. The
important mosques
which will be
discussed below are as
follows. They are:

1. Atala masjid, Jaunpur,

1408 C.E
2. Lal Darwaza masjid,
Jaunpur, 1450 C.E

1. ATALA MASJID, JAUNPUR, 1408 C.E

Atala masjid was build on the site of a Hindu temple of atala devi at jaunpur during 1408 c.e.
hence its name came as atala masjid. The stone materials of atala devi temple and other nearby
temples were utilized in the construction of this mosque. In the above figure it is clearly seen that
the pillars which are used in the construction of the mosque are hindu style pillars which are used
in the construction of hindu temples.

LAYOUT OF THE MOSQUE

The mosque plan is as per the convection with a central large open courtyard of 54 meters square.
There are cloisters on three sides and the sanctuary on western side. The cloisters are five aisled and are
spacious with a breadth of 13 meters rising up to two storeys. The two aisles of the lower storey are
separated for its use as Baradari consisting a row of cells and a pillared verandah facing outside to the
street to provide accommodation to visitors, pilgrims and others.

GATEWAYS

In the middle of
each of three sides
and interrupting the cloisters are impressive structures forming gateways. The two on north and south
are prominent and the domes surmount them.

North gateway Entrance gate

SANCTUARY
The sanctuary is the most striking structure of the mosque. This occupies the whole width on western
side. The sanctuary has its nave and the aisles. The nave is a rectangular hall of 11 meters by 9 meters
with pillared transepts on either side. The nave has three stages vertically.

The lowest one is a component containing three Mihrabs and a high pulpit with steps on western side.
The nave is flanked by transepts on both sides by arched openings.

Above this, the second stage has eight decorated arches, four of which are squinch arches at angles
changing the square to an octagon. Light is admitted through perforated screens fitted in these arches.

The third or uppermost storey is converted into a sixteen-sided form by means of brackets fitted in each
corner. At the top, it is roofed by a hemisphere dome. The dome at 17 meters high is placed over this
drum. The centre of the transepts opened into an octagonal bay roofed by a smaller dome.

The ends transepts are two storeyed. The upper storey was enclosed by perforated stone screens
reserved for Zeeana( women’s chamber). Many of the elements like recessed arch with its fringe
ornamentation, the shape of the arch and the sloping side of its supports were derived from the
buildings of Tuglaqs of Delhi. The arch is absolutely simple and it is just a straight line and a gentle curve
and there is no ogee curve at top.

SANCTUARY FACADE

The sanctuary façade has most prominent features like – a larger one in the center and two smaller ones
on sides. The main pylon is a commanding structure with sloping sides recalling Dravidian temple
Gopurams and the pylons of Egyptian temples. Its height is 23 meters and width at the base is 17
meters. This pylon contained a great arched recess of 3.3 meters deep and contains the enterance to
the nave. This also has arched window openings on its top. Similar pylons in a smaller scale are repeated
on either side to the transepts. These pylons are the most striking features of this mosque with their
recesses, projections, solids and voids well disposed and catching strong light and dark shadows.

SOLID REAR SIDE

The rear sidewall on west side shows plain wall with no openings and has three projections. At each
corner of these projections tapering turrets were added. The rear side shows the solid parts like
retaining walls, turrets and domes and had no voids and arches.

2. LAL DARWAZA MASJID, JAUNOUR, 1450 C.E

Lal darwaza mosque (Red Door mosque) was build around 1450AD. It is a royal mosque
within the palace. This was planned and executed by Bibi Raja, the Queen of Mahmud shah.
The approach to the mosque is through a distinctive high gate painted in red colour, hence
its name as lal darwaza. The mosque is a simplified version of Atala masjid, Jaunpur and

about two-thirds in size.

 This mosque is of conventional design with an open court of 40 meters square. In its
interior, Zenana is placed adjoining the nave in the upper floor enclosed with stone grill
screens. Here Zenana means a secluded area or a chamber for women. The influence of the
Queen lady worked out here in this Jaunpur mosque. The religious needs of women were
given special attention.

ANALAYZING THE PRESENT SITUATION OF THE MOSQUE

The British Indian Government took various measures for the protection of
monuments, buildings, etc. Superintendent, Muhammadan and British
Monuments had to undertake survey and prepare conservation note. Advisory Committee under the
district Magistrate was constituted to supervise and control the repairs and restoration of ancient
buildings. With regard to Jaunpur, a conservation note was prepared by Gordon Sanderson,
Superintendent, Northern Circle, Agraon March 22, 1912, in his conservation note, the actual condition
of several monuments- Atala Masjid, lal darwaza. were explained in full length and severalmeasures
were suggested for their proper protection. The meetings of the advisory committeewere held on April
20, 1912 and April 5, 1913 respectively. It suggested the quarterly inspection of ancient building by
members of the committee, the appointment of a responsible person to look after the boys living in the
Jama Masjid and the formation of certain rules for their guidance, preparation of a brief note on the
ancient
building for
the benefit
of visitors,
etc

These
measures
SANCTUARY FACADE ENTERANCE GATE
taken by
the British
Indian
Government proved conducive for the upkeep of monuments of Jaunpur. The Atala Masjid and the lal
darwaza are still standing with grace. After independence, the government is taking sincere efforts for
the

conservation and protection of these monuments.

But due to the negligence form the state government the peoples living nearby the heritage site have

starting using it as private property for their

various properties. In the below figure we can clearly see that there are metal pipes and sand which are
kept supporting the heritage wall. There are shops being opened in the heritage structure and changes
are being made in the structure of the building like construction of walls and white washing of the walls.

There are local peoples staying inside the façade who carry out their daily activities which makes it look
untidy and unpleasant. There are primary school and Inter college running inside the Atala masjid due to
which there are changes made in the heritage building.

CONDITION MAPPING OF THE MOSQUE

 SHOP

ONE OF THE

RE RUNNING IN ATALA MASJID

 PEOPLES CARRYING OUT THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES INSIDE THE LAL DARWAZA MASJID

CONCLUSION

Atala Masjid and Lal Darwaza are one of the 15 ancient mosques in India which needs to be looked after
and conserved. It is also being the first mosque to be build after the importance of Jaunpur from the
Islamic caliphate in India; the Atala Mosque was given royal treatment setting up a new monumentality
to the traditional jami and now is being neglected by the state government.
The three unequal domes above its roof and the large court with its two storey porticoes, all expressed a
new grandeur never seen before, adding more mystery to the skill and imagination of the medieval
Muslim architect.