The Atala Masjid built in 1408 by Sultan Shamsuddin Ibrahim is one of the beauties of Jaunpur and the Sharqi sultanate.
It has side galleries running around a courtyard of 177 feet diameter.
These galleries are 5 aisle deep and two storey high. I had fun exploring it, trying to imagine what was.
There are entrances on each side with the north and south having domes.
The western side hsa the main prayer hall with the Mehrab and mimbar while the eastern side has a huge ornamental doorway through which I had entered. The north & south also have entrances.
As is the characteristic of Sharqi architecture sloping pylons is the main feature of the main prayer hall.
The pylon is 75 feet high and 55 feet wide at the base.
As I was to find in this common theme in my explorations in Jaunpur, within the pylon is the great recessed Arch, through which we enter the main prayer hall. It is 11 feet deep and has arcade window openings for illumination.
This hall is three storeyed with beautiful recessed arches.
The ground level us the mimbar surrounded by arches, the second level is 8 sided with arches out of which four form the squinch arches bridging across the angles, thus changing it into an octagon.
It is through screened openings within these arches that light is admitted to its upper part.
The upper level is 16 sided with brackets each containing an arch and forming the drum of the dome.
The dome which is 57 feet high inside, is made up of circular layer of brick courses and covered by cement outside to give the circular shape.
The mosque is said to have been built on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Atala devi and retains that name.
