Tourist Places in Jaunpur

Introduction

Jaunpur is a municipal board and city in Uttar Pradesh. It is 228 miles away from Lucknow, the state capital. It is located northwest of the Varanasi district, in the eastern region of the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Undoubtedly an exciting and enjoyable adventure, tours to Jaunpur are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for tourists. Jaunpur is a beautiful city with breathtaking views at every turn. Numerous tourist attractions in Jaunpur are required viewing for tourists. There are many beautiful and striking structures in Jaunpur.

Some of the Major Tourist Places in Jaunpur are as follows

1) Shahi Qila

The Jaunpur Fort referred to as Shahi Qila, Royal Fort, and Karar Fort, was built in the 14th century in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. On the River Gomti, it is situated close to the Shahi Bridge. Today, the Fort is a popular tourist destination and is around 2.2 kilometers from Jaunpur. The Bhandari railway connection is only 3 kilometers from the Fort, about 7.3 kilometers from Zafarabad.

The distance between Lucknow to the Jaunpur Fort is 214 km. Ibrahim Naib Barbak, a chieftain under Firoz Shah Tughlaq, constructed the Shahi Fort Jaunpur. The British and the Lodhi Kings were just two of the many kings who repeatedly demolished the Fort.

Mughal era saw extensive renovations to it. According to certain historians, Firoz Shah Tughlaq himself constructed the Jaunpur Fort, which is located on Gomti's left bank, possibly in 1362 AD. The inner gate is 16 feet in width and reaches a height of 26.5 feet. The height of the main gate is 36 feet. On top is a huge dome; the only remaining structures are the eastern gate and a few arches. To increase security, Muneer Khan had a large front gate built. Blue and yellow stones were used as decorations. A mosque and a spa on the property are both designed in the Turkish style. Ibrahim Banbank created the latter, incorporating design elements from Buddhist and Hindu architecture.

Architecture

The main gate of the Jaunpur Fort is located on the east side of a wall that forms an asymmetrical quadrangle. The steep passageway cutting through the mound leads to a distinctively formed outlet that faces west. The main entrance is five meters deep and rises to a height of 14 meters. The eastern gateway, which has chambers on both sides, has an 11-meter-high entrance gate, and Munim Khan constructed a courtyard in front of it. The finest Ashlar stone veneers the bastions, walls, and gates.

A Turkish bath called the Bhool Bhulaiya is partially subterranean. The hammam was given the name Bhool Bhulaiya because of its twisting lanes. Inside, there are various rooms with submerged ponds and dimly lit hallways. The pools originally had copper lids, and the sunlight that entered the chambers' skylights was refracted to heat the water inside. In Jaunpur City, the Fort, which has a stunning view of the Gomti River and is the city's highest point, is a popular tourist destination.

2) Shahi Bridge

The Shahi Bridge, sometimes referred to as the Akbari Bridge, Munim Khan's Bridge, or the Mughal Bridge, was built by Munim Khan, the governor of Jaunpur, during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar.

History

The 654-foot-long and 26-foot-wide Bridge spanning the Gomti River was erected over four years, from 1568 to 1569, and is one of the most noteworthy and conspicuous Mughal structures in the historic city of Jaunpur. The Bridge had suffered significant damage due to the earthquake in 1934, but it was later returned to its previous state. The Bridge has now been included in the Directorate of Archaeology, UP's list for protection and conservation.

Architecture

Afghan architect Afzal Ali developed the idea for the Bridge's design. The Bridge was originally intended to have 10 arch-shaped openings, plus 5 arched openings constructed to cover the canal.

The Bridge, now a public street, has Chhatris on both sides so that tourists can stop and take in the river's descent. The governor, Munim Khan, constructed these chhatris. Huge, hexagonally shaped pillars that support the architecture, support the openings. While the narrower top of the pillars gives the Chhatris a foothold, the wider sides of the pillars sustain the Bridge.

3) Shahi Atala Masjid

Atala Masjid is a significant building in the Jaunpur district. Even though the Mughal emperors built it, there are several Hindu architectural influences visible in this mosque. This temple is strongly influenced by Hindu architecture. It is because this mosque is situated close to the Atala Devi temple. If you appreciate architecture, therefore, you must visit this mosque

This mosque is a historic building found in Jaunpur's northern section. The Atala Mosque was started in 1393 AD by Firoz Shah and finished in 1408 AD by Sultan Ibrahim Shah. It has been deemed perfect for use in building additional mosques in Jaunpur. It is taller than 100 feet. This mosque has lovely galleries with artistically decorated walls. Special prayers are held here every Friday.

History

The Atala Masjid is the best example of Hindu-Muslim design. The mosque's three enormous entrances are made of grey sandstone and granite. The mosque is 248 feet in diameter overall. The mosque's ledges, pillars, and walls share many similarities with the mosques, tombs, and monuments in Delhi. Additionally, there are many parallels between Begumpur Masjid and Atala Mosque. Minarets, which are often found in mosques, are absent from it. Three arched gates lead to the mosque, which is decorated beautifully. The highest archway is in the middle. It measures 23 meters in length.

A lovely verandah with a vault leads to the mosque. Later on, it connects to a prayer room. The mosque's roof is covered in three domes of various proportions. Additionally, it is a well-known city landmark. Even now, visitors from all over the nation and the world come to view it. Children at the Atala Mosque compound receive their education at a primary school. An international-level madrassa operated here during the Middle Ages. Persian and Arabic were taught here. One notable person who attended this school was the legendary king Sher Shah Suri.

4) Jhanjhari Masjid

The amazing architectural wonder known as Jhanjhari Masjid, which is close to Uttar Pradesh, is historically and culturally significant. This historic mosque serves as a reminder of the area's rich heritage and gives tourists a look at the popular Islamic architectural trends when it was built.

It is thought that the Jhanjhari Masjid, also known as the Jhanjhariya Masjid or Masjid Jhanjhari, was constructed in the fifteenth century during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Shah I of the Delhi Sultanate. It lies in the Uttar Pradesh district of Bijnor, in Jhanjhari. A beautiful fusion of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements makes the mosque a stunning example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Red sandstone was used to construct the mosque's main construction, giving it a majestic aspect.

The massive central dome of the Jhanjhari Masjid is one of its most notable characteristics. Above the prayer hall, this dome is embellished with beautiful geometrical patterns and calligraphy, demonstrating the skill and experience of the artists who labored on its construction.

The crown is supported by magnificent arches and minarets, adding to the mosque's magnificence. A large courtyard welcomes you and can accommodate numerous worshippers during prayers. The yard is surrounded by arched hallways and an ablution area for ritual purification before prayer. The mosque's overall layout provides a sense of calm and tranquillity, creating a peaceful place for prayer, and thought.

In addition to serving as a place of worship, Jhanjhari Masjid has also served as a hub for social meetings. It has religious significance for the local Muslim population and is frequented by devotees who come to worship, seek blessings, and find consolation in its hallowed atmosphere.

Jhanjhari Masjid is a historical landmark representing the region's cultural heritage. It is an architectural beauty and historical legacy that draws visitors who want to learn about architectural evolution and the blending of cultural influences in medieval India. Visiting Jhanjhari Masjid enables you to enjoy its architectural grandeur, immerse yourself in its ancient ambiance, and see the religious dedication and cultural richness it represents. It is a site where the past, art, and spirituality intersect, providing a unique and illuminating experience for people who appreciate Uttar Pradesh's architectural masterpieces.

5) Masjid Lal Darwaza

The palace of Bibi Raji, who served as Sultan Mahmood Sharqi's Queen and a member of the Sharqi Dynasty, was combined to build the Lal Darwaza Masjid. The Lal Darwaza Masjid in Jaunpur was built to look like a personal mosque for the Queen. For the sake of all the local Muslim citizens, Bibi Raji founded a spiritual school near the Lal Darwaza in Jaunpur. Jamia Hussainia was the name of the Madrasa, which is still used today.

Architecture

The Lal Darwaza Masjid, also known as the Ruby Gate Mosque, is situated outside Jaunpur, giving visitors access to the city's attractions. It is tempting for individuals interested in women's emancipation because the mosque was constructed in 1447 by Bibi Rajni, the Queen of Sultan Mahmud Sharqi. Maulana Sayyid Ali Dawood Kutubuddin, a Muslim saint from Jaunpur, was honored with a mosque. A prayer room for the Begum was erected just for her in the mosque, which depicts the status of women's intimacy at the time. The mosque's style and design are remarkably similar to Atala Masjid's, despite the latter's larger size in contrast to the former. Three gates located to the North, east, and south of the monument lead to it. Red sandstone was used to create the eastern gate.