Jama Masjid, Agra

Agra's Jama Masjid was built by Shah Jahan's daughter Jahanara in 1648 and stands at the edge of the old city's bazaars. Here is its history and what visitors should know.

The Jama Masjid of Agra was built in 1648 and funded by Jahanara Begum, the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan. It is one of the larger mosques of the Mughal period. It stands opposite Agra Fort railway station, on the western edge of the old city, and once faced the fort across a large octagonal square (the Tripolia chowk) that was cut through by the railway in the 19th century. The mosque is built of red sandstone with white marble.

Its prayer hall has three domes decorated with zigzag bands of white marble and red sandstone, and UP Tourism notes the assimilation of Iranian architectural elements. A large open courtyard with an ablution tank sits in front of the prayer hall, surrounded by arcades. It remains an active mosque, busiest at Friday prayers and on Eid. Tourists are expected to dress modestly, remove their shoes and avoid prayer times. The mosque is also the gateway to Old Agra's markets.

Kinari Bazaar and the other crowded lanes behind it sell fabrics, wedding goods, jewellery, spices and sweets, including Agra's petha. The mosque is about ten minutes' walk from Agra Fort. A visit here combines naturally with the fort and a walk through the bazaars.