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The Shamsi Jama Masjid in Badaun is one of the oldest mosques in North India. It was built by the third sultan of the slave dynasty, Iltutmish, in 1223.
The mosque was built by Iltutmish, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate at the time. This mosque reflects Persian and Afghan architecture. It has three gates:
- The main gate, which faces Shakeel Road, is made of red marble and is 100 feet tall.
- The second gate is at Farshori Tola
- Third at Sotha.
It has a central dome surrounded by two more domes, and 5 other domes as well. The floor is white marble (SangeMarMar). It has one "Hauz" (pond) and three "WuzuKhana" (bathroom and living room) on its premises.
Two sides of the mosque are occupied by residential blocks - the Jama Masjid quarters. This mosque is the third oldest and second largest mosque in the country after Delhi's Jama Masjid with a standard capacity of 23,500.
The built part
The mosque is the third oldest existing and seventh largest mosque of the country after Delhi's Jama Masjid, having a standard capacity of 23500. The built up part of the mosque is larger than any other mosque of the country
Controversy over Jama Masjid in Badaun
According to a BBC report cited by TOI, the Hindu Mahasabha petition claims that Jama Masjid in Badaun was once a fort of a Hindu king. It is claimed that the current structure of this mosque was built by demolishing the old temple of Neelkanth Mahadev.
While hearing the petition, the court ordered the Jama Masjid Intejamia Committee, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board, the Uttar Pradesh Archaeological Department, the Central Government, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Budaun District Magistrate and the Chief Secretary of State to submit their responses in this regard.
After the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah in Mathura, right-wing Hindu groups have created a controversy over Badaun's Jama Masjid by claiming that it is a temple of Neel Kanth Mahadeva.
A local court in Badaun has issued notices to interested parties about a petition filed by a certain Mukesh Patel who is self-proclaimed state coordinator of the All India Hindu Mahasabha. The notices are returnable by September 15, the next hearing date in the case.
The petitioner has claimed that the Badaun Jama Masjid complex was once a fort of the Hindu King Mahipal. The mosque, according to the petition, was built by demolishing an old Neel Kanth Mahadev temple by the Muslim ruler Shamsuddin Altamash.
Court hearing
A court here has set Oct. 4 as the next date to hear an application for permission to offer prayers at Jama Masjid Shamsi, which is claimed to have been built on a site where a Shiva temple once stood, authorities said.
The guilty plea was heard in court from Civil Judge (Top Division) Vijay Kumar Gupta on Thursday, Hindu Mahasabha's lawyer Brijpal said.
Asrar Ahmed, the lawyer for the Muslim side, said that he sought a copy of the guilty plea from the court.
He said the notices have not been delivered to all parties so far. Trial in the case cannot begin until all parties are summoned, he added.
Earlier, the court had ordered the Intezamia Committee that runs the mosque to present its version on September 15.
The Hindu Mahasabha has claimed that the site formerly held the Neelkanth Mahadev temple.
The mosque is built on an elevated area called Sotha Mohalla and is considered the tallest structure in Budaun.
It is also believed to be the third oldest and seventh largest mosque in the country, with a capacity of 23,500 people.
There have been several similar lawsuits, including in Mathura and Varanasi, claiming that the mosques there were the sites of ancient Hindu temples.
Truth
But recorded history says that Badaun Jama Masjid was built by Altamash, also called Iltutmish, on the occasion of his daughter Razia Sultana's birthday. The mosque is called Azimusshan Jama Masjid. It is an 800 year old Masjid, one of the largest and oldest mosques in India. The construction of this mosque began in 1210 AD and was completed in 1223 AD. It took 13 years to complete it.
The court granted the petition despite the fact that the 1991 Places of Worship Act prohibits a hearing in such cases. According to the 1991 Law, the status of a religious place as it existed on August 15, 1947 cannot be altered. The only exception was Babri Masjid because a court case on the matter had been going on since the British days.
Before the expansion of Delhi's Jama Masjid, it was the largest and most famous mosque of the country. The central dome of the mosque is considered to be the largest for any dome of mosque in the country.
Uttar Pradesh Congress Minority Cell Chairman Shahnawaz Alam has strongly opposed the claim on the 800-year-old mosque.
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