Jama Masjid in Hyderabad is popularly known as Mecca Masjid which is in shortest distance to Charminar. It was built in 1597-98 and was the first mosque in the city after the mosque on the first floor of Charminar. It is within a courtyard, and includes a hammam(turkish style of steam bath) & a water storing tank.
There are seven arched entrances to the prayer hall. There are beautiful carvings done on the exterior and within the interior of the mosque. It has a seating capacity of 750 worshippers.
Significance:
This mosque was constructed at a budget of Rs. 200,000. It was built to serve as the main public mosque of the new city. A school and a monastery were attached to the mosque. The building was carefully rebuilt and repaired in the 19th century. It was done during the rule of Asaf Jah III. Some scholars believed that the multifoil arches on the front side were added during this period.
It was built in early Qutub Shahi architecture style and displays Mughal influences in its design. The interior includes a double hall of 22.10 metres long and 9.91 metres wide. And the rood is supported by a row of arches resting upon pillars.
Inscriptions in this building includes a Persian inscription with Nastaliq script. Also the verses praising Allah. A chronogram(letters interpreted as numerals) dating the mosque to AH 1006(1597/98 CE). The second inscription is in the western wall of the prayer hall, along the sides of mihrab, and above it. It contains the second chapter of the Quran inscribed in the Thuluth script along with the name of the artist and the year of the inscription.
How To Reach:
By Bus
The nearest bus station to the masjid is Purani Haveli bus stop and Darul Shifa bus stop. So, if you take a bus drop down at one of these stops to reach the masjid. Purani Haveli bus stop is at a distance of 1.5 KM and Darul Shifa bus stop is at a distance of around 2 KM.
By Metro
MG Bus station metro(3 KM), Osmania College metro station(3.6 KM), Malakpet metro station (3.7 KM) are some of the metro stations near the masjid. So, take the metro and drop at any of these stations to reach easily.
