Gallery
Description
Property Name: Jama Masjid – Fatehpur Sikri
Inventory No: 91-5619-9
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2009-06-11
Country (State party): India
Province: Uttar Pradesh
Town: Fatehpur Sikri
Geographic coordinates: 27° 5′ 41.27″ N
77° 39′ 43.78″ E
Historic Period: 16th century, 2nd half
Year of Construction: 1574
Style: Mughal
Original Use: Mosque
Current Use: Mosque
Architect: Unknown
Significance
Known as the “Glory of Fatehpur Sikri” is the focus of the sacred complex. It is one of the largest and most ornamented mosques in India. The building is organised around a large courtyard and the prayer-hall is situated on the west side. The entrance of the prayer hall is marked by a high recessed arch that is set within a rectangular frame surmounted by a parapet and a line of chatris. The mosque has a rich cataolgue of decoration. The geometric patterns of white marble and black slate inlaid in red sandstone and the watercolored floral designs of the interior are the most remarkable ornaments. Buland Darwaza, the monumental gate that the courtyard is approached by is another significant structure of the mosque.
Selection Criteria
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The mosque is not on its list of protected monuments, the ASI has been carrying out the necessary repairs and conservation under a special arrangement since 1956. The last major conservation work was done in 2007.
References
S. A. A. Rizvi and V. Flynn: Fathpur Sikri (Bombay, 1975)
M. Brand and G. D. Lowry: Fatehpur-Sikri: A Sourcebook (Cambridge, MA, 1985)
R. Nath: Fatehpur Sikri: Forms, Techniques & Concepts (Jaipur, 1988)
S. A. N. Rezavi: Revisiting Fatehpur Sikri: An Interpretation of Certain Buildings (Delhi, 1997)
Ed. Zeenut Ziad Foreword by Milo Cleveland Beach, The Magnificient Mughals, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2002