Jamia Masjid Srinagar

About Jamia Masjid Srinagar

Location: Nowhatta, Downtown Srinagar.

Historical Background: Founded in 1394 AD by Sultan Sikandar and completed around 1402 AD under his son, Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah), Jamia Masjid is Srinagar's primary congregational mosque. It served as the sociopolitical and religious center of Kashmir throughout medieval and modern history.

Architecture & Architectural Fate: Constructed in the classic Indo Saracenic and traditional Kashmiri style, the mosque's most striking architectural feature is its four vast halls surrounding a peaceful square courtyard, supported by 370 massive deodar wood pillars harvested from high altitude forests. The grand mosque has suffered multiple catastrophic fires in 1484 AD (rebuilt by Sultan Hassan Shah), 1620 AD under Emperor Jahangir (rebuilt under Emperor Shah Jahan), and 1674 AD during Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign yet each restoration faithfully preserved its original medieval blueprint.