Indo Islamic Heritage
Jajpur is served by the Jajpur Keonjhar Road Railway Station (JJKR), a major station on the Howrah–Chennai main line, offering good rail connectivity to key cities. The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 100–120 km away, providing both domestic and limited international flights. The town also has a small bus stand near the railway station, offering regular bus services to nearby cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri, though plans for a modern terminal at Kianali are still pending.
The Abu Naseer Masjid in Jajpur, Odisha, is a remarkable example of Mughal-era architecture constructed during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb around 1686–87 CE (1098 AH). It was built by Abu Nasin Khan, the son of Shaista Khan, who served as the deputy governor (Nasim) of Odisha. At that time, the province was under the supervision of Prince Muhammad Azam, Aurangzeb’s son. The mosque is an impressive structure, featuring four prominent towers on its eastern side—two larger ones flanking the entrance and two smaller ones in between. It also includes three domes on the roof, with the central dome being the largest, supported by groined vaults inside. On the eastern side, three beautiful Gothic-style entrances lead into the mosque. The mosque is known not only for its architecture but also for its historical inscriptions praising Aurangzeb’s grandeur and referring to the Nawab's presence in Jajpur. European traveler T. Motte visited the mosque in May 1766 and was deeply impressed by its design, comparing it to Turkish mosques and describing it as a place where sorrow seemed to vanish. Local tradition suggests that parts of the mosque may have been constructed using remnants of a pre-existing non-Muslim temple, which adds another layer of cultural significance to the structure. The Abu Naseer Masjid stands today as a unique monument that reflects both Islamic architectural style and the historical legacy of Jajpur during the Mughal era.
Year of Built: 17th Century
Address: Abu Nasin (Abu Nasser) Masjid, also known locally as the Shahi Masjid, is located in Jajpur Town, near Gandhi Chowk, Jajpur District, Odisha
Country: India
State: Odisha
District: Jajpur
Pincode: 755001
Longitude: 86.3285° E
Latitude: 20.8534° N,