City of lakes i.e., Bhopal is often called the city of mosques due to the presence of a number of historical mosques and monuments within its turf. Jama Masjid of Bhopal is officially known as Taj-ul-Masjid. One such mosque, located in the realm of Bhopal not less important is the Taj-ul-Masjid. The beautiful Taj-ul-Masjid is an important historical landmark of the Muslims in Bhopal. The architectural design of the Taj-ul-Masjid gives us the glimpse of the Muslim reign in Bhopal.
History of Taj-Ul- Masjid
The construction of the Mosque was initiated during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum (1844–1860 and 1868–1901) of Bhopal (Wife of Baqi Mohammad Khan) and continued to be built by her daughter Sultan Jahan Begum, till her lifetime. The mosque was not completed due to lack of funds, and after a long lay-off after the War of 1857, construction was restart in 1971 by great efforts of Allama Mohammad Imran Khan Nadwi Azhari and Maulana Sayed Hashmat Ali Sahab of Bhopal.
This year construction has been completed
The construction was completed by 1985 and the entrance (eastern) gate was renovated grandly using ancient motifs from circa 1250 Syrian mosques by the contribution of the Emir of Kuwait to commemorate the memory of his departed wife.
Art and Architecture of Taj-ul-Masjid
The Mosque has a pink facade topped by two 18-storey high octagonal minarets with marble domes. The Mosque also has three huge bulbous domes, an impressive main hallway with attractive pillars and marble flooring resembling Mughal architecture the likes of Jama Masjid in Delhi and the huge Badshahi Mosque of Lahore.
Courtyard of Taj-ul-Masjid
It has a courtyard with a large tank in the center. It has a double-storied gateway with four recessed archways and nine cusped multifold openings in the main prayer hall. The Quibla wall in the prayer hall is carved with eleven recessed arches and has fine screens of trellis work. The massive pillars in the hall hold 27 ceilings through squinted arches of which 16 ceilings are decorated with ornate petaled designs.
Madarsa inside Taj-ul-Masjid
Inside the mosque Madarsa conduct to teach children. Gazillion number of students come to take the blessings of the Allah and to gain knowledge about the world. It creates very positive aura and solace the mind and soul of the students.
Address and Timings
Address: NH 12, Kohefiza, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Timings: 6 am to 7pm
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