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About Chanderi

Jama Masjid,ChanderiThe Jama Masjid, with a capacity of holding over 2000 persons at the time of prayer, is the largest and the oldest mosque in Chanderi and possibly all of Bundelkhand. The foundations of this impressive monument were laid when Chanderi came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate following the taking of the city by Ghyasuddin Balban.

The entrance bay of the mosque is elaborately decorated with leaf ornaments and floral and geometrical patterns. This, however, was not originally carved for the mosque but brought from the ruined palace remains at Tamarpura. The bay leads to the spacious, stone-floored central courtyard with arched passageways on the right and left. The eaves of the passageways are supported by the slender, serpentine brackets which are characteristic of monuments built in Chanderi during that time. Within the courtyard is a wuduchashma which was used by the people to wash their hands and feet before offering namaz. However, it is now dry and no longer in use. Beyond the courtyard is the main hall which is roofed with three large domes.

An inscription on a stone slab installed in the east wall of the mosque does not refer to the mosque at all and instead is inscribed with the name of Dilawar Khan Ghori. This plaque was also, in all probability, derived from the ruins at Tamarpura.

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