Jami Masjid, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh India

There is an austere simplicity about this enormous structure. It stands on a 4.6 m high plinth accessed by an impressive flight of steps. The whole mosque covers an area of 97.4 sq m and its porch, atop the flight of steps, is dominated by a 16.8 m dome. As demanded by congregational religions, beyond the porch is the great open court surrounded by arched colonnades. On the far side of the court is the Prayer Hall with its pulpit atop a flight of steps, and arches extending away to the right and left. Do devote a little time to the construction of the ceiling crowned by three large domes and fifty eight smaller ones.

The seventeen mihrabs here, to cater to large numbers of the faithful, are the most decorated features in this huge mosque. White stone, chiselled with the delicacy of metal filigree, stands out against their polished black backgrounds. While there is no official explanation for the presence of the fifty-eight small domes along with the three large ones, it seems fairly obvious why they were installed. Long before Thomas Alva Edison invented the microphone in 1877, Mandu's architects had designed the domes as sound amplifying devices to carry the words of the, often feeble and old, preacher to the entire congregation. The Jami Masjid, said to have been patterned on the great mosque in Damascus, was started by Hoshang Shah and completed by Mahmud Khalji in 1454.

Jami Masjid is located on the plateau of the Mandu and hold a prosperous history of the place and of the Islam in the by gone days. The Masjid was built by the rulers of Ghauri dynasty. The intricate marble work and its huge size will definitely give you the scope to unveil the mysterious past.

The Jami Masjid at Mandu is considered to be one of biggest mosques in India and also one of the most majestic buildings existing at Mandu. Built in CE 1454, the construction of this pilgrim centre was started by Sultan Hoshangshah. It was completed by Sultan Mahmud Khilji.

Besides the beautiful jali work and the painted enamels the most attractive feature of Jami Mosque is its gorgeous domes and arches. The colonnade of the mosque is adorned with skillfully designed niches. Shown in this video is the Jami Masjid at Mandu in Madhya Pradesh state, India.