The 361 Year Old Jama Masjid Screams For Repairs
The historic Jama Masjid screams for repairs with parts of its external facade and internal structure crumbling. The Jama Masjid dates back to the 17th century. It was then named Masjid-i Jahan-Numa. The construction for the grand 361 year old Masjid started in 1648 after the completion of Shahjahanabad. The construction went on for 6 whole years and cost Rs. 10 lakh back then. The Jama Masjid is one of the largest Masjids in India.
The Jama Masjid is also known as the centerpiece of the heritage city of Shahjahanabad. The 361 year old Jama Masjid is threatened by rampant water seepage which has eroded the structural integrity of the main dome. The layers of the sandstone, plaster from its walls and the parapet carvings are peeling off.
The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari said he wrote a letter last year to the Prime Minister of India seeking help for the urgent repairs of the structure. He stated he also appealed to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) several times seeking help for the repairs.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari said, “I specifically told both the PM’s office and the ASI that lack of maintenance was resulting in permanent damage. In particular, the main prayer chamber and three domes require instant restoration.”
ASI Spokesperson D. M. Dimri stated the relaying of the Mosque floor and a few other maintenance works are in progress. He also added the ASI was not aware of the serious damage to the domes and parapets.
The central dome of the main prayer hall is affected the most. The white seepage marks are clearly visible on the dome. The wall joints, minarets and smaller onion shaped domes also developed cracks. The cracks cause rainwater to seep in and weaken the structure.
The portions of the eaves of all four dome shaped pavilions started breaking. The marble finials on the smaller domes have broken at the Northern and Southern gates. The larger pinnacle of the central dome in the prayer hall is tilted.
Dimri said, “An estimate has been prepared for the restoration of its flooring. The tendering process is going on, the ASI will soon start work at Jama Masjid. As the mosque is not an ASI protected monument, the responsibility of its regular monitoring and maintenance is not with us.”
The Delhi Wakf Board is responsible for the protection and the management of the Jama Masjid. An official of the Board said they did not have enough funds to restore the Jama Masjid and always needed external assistance.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari said, “This process of taking the ASI’s help goes back to 1956. Back then, the structure had started decaying and lightning has caused serious damage to one of the minarets. Since the Wakf Board has no adequate funds and expertise, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had roped in the ASI, which has been doing repair work from time to time since then.”
An average of 5,000 tourists and 1,000 worshippers visit the Jama Masjid every day.
The Jama Masjid is also known as the centerpiece of the heritage city of Shahjahanabad. The 361 year old Jama Masjid is threatened by rampant water seepage which has eroded the structural integrity of the main dome. The layers of the sandstone, plaster from its walls and the parapet carvings are peeling off.
The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari said he wrote a letter last year to the Prime Minister of India seeking help for the urgent repairs of the structure. He stated he also appealed to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) several times seeking help for the repairs.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari said, “I specifically told both the PM’s office and the ASI that lack of maintenance was resulting in permanent damage. In particular, the main prayer chamber and three domes require instant restoration.”
ASI Spokesperson D. M. Dimri stated the relaying of the Mosque floor and a few other maintenance works are in progress. He also added the ASI was not aware of the serious damage to the domes and parapets.
The central dome of the main prayer hall is affected the most. The white seepage marks are clearly visible on the dome. The wall joints, minarets and smaller onion shaped domes also developed cracks. The cracks cause rainwater to seep in and weaken the structure.
The portions of the eaves of all four dome shaped pavilions started breaking. The marble finials on the smaller domes have broken at the Northern and Southern gates. The larger pinnacle of the central dome in the prayer hall is tilted.
Dimri said, “An estimate has been prepared for the restoration of its flooring. The tendering process is going on, the ASI will soon start work at Jama Masjid. As the mosque is not an ASI protected monument, the responsibility of its regular monitoring and maintenance is not with us.”
The Delhi Wakf Board is responsible for the protection and the management of the Jama Masjid. An official of the Board said they did not have enough funds to restore the Jama Masjid and always needed external assistance.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari said, “This process of taking the ASI’s help goes back to 1956. Back then, the structure had started decaying and lightning has caused serious damage to one of the minarets. Since the Wakf Board has no adequate funds and expertise, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had roped in the ASI, which has been doing repair work from time to time since then.”
An average of 5,000 tourists and 1,000 worshippers visit the Jama Masjid every day.
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