Indo Islamic Heritage
The Khilji Masjid in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, is a local historical mosque known as Jama Masjid Shamsi or the Great Mosque of Badaun. Built during the Delhi Sultanate era, it exemplifies early Indo-Islamic architecture with its expansive courtyard, multiple domes, and red sandstone construction. As one of India's oldest mosques, it serves as a key site for congregational prayers and reflects the region's Sufi heritage.
The Jama Masjid Shamsi, commonly referred to as the Khilji Masjid due to its association with the early Sultanate period under rulers like Iltutmish (a successor to the Khilji-influenced Aibak dynasty), stands as a prominent local mosque in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. Constructed between 1210 and 1223 CE by Sultan Iltutmish, the second ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, it was erected during the governorship of his son, Rukn-ud-din Firoz. This Friday mosque (Jama Masjid) was originally the largest in the Indian subcontinent, accommodating up to 23,500 worshippers, and ranked as the seventh largest in India today. It holds the distinction of being the third oldest surviving mosque in the country, after Delhi's Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and Ajmer's Adhai Din ka Jhonpra, and features the largest central dome among Indian mosques. Architecturally, the mosque embodies Persian and Afghan influences blended with local elements, constructed primarily from red sandstone with a white marble floor (known as Sange-e-MarMar). It boasts eight domes in total: a towering central dome (47 meters high, with an outer diameter of 11 meters and inner of 10 meters) flanked by two secondary domes and five others. The structure spans an elevated platform in Sotha Mohalla, making it the highest edifice in Badaun. Entry is through three grand gates—the main one, facing Shakeel Road, rises 30 meters in red marble—while the premises include a central hauz (ablution pond) and three wuzu khanas (washing and seating areas). Flanking residential quarters, known as Jama Masjid Quarters, add to its communal role. Recognized as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), it has undergone restorations in the 14th, 16th, and 19th centuries, preserving its historical integrity for daily prayers and community gatherings.
Year of Built: Not Available
Address: 24QP+RQ7, Budaun, Uttar Pradesh 243601
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Budaun
Pincode: 243601
Longitude: 79.1219° E
Latitude: 28.0387° N