Jama Masjid, Agra

Jama Masjid in Agra stands in the Subhash Bazaar area of Civil Lines, directly opposite the Delhi Gate of Agra Fort, in Uttar Pradesh. Jahanara Begum, the eldest daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan, commissioned it, and it was completed in 1648. As the congregational or Friday mosque of the Mughal capital, it served the city's Muslim community and the imperial court. The mosque is notable as a major religious building commissioned by a Mughal princess, reflecting the wealth and influence held by royal women.

The mosque is built of red sandstone with white marble banding, on a high raised platform reached by steep steps from the surrounding bazaar. Its prayer hall has a broad facade of arched openings and is crowned by three large domes decorated with zigzag patterns of marble and sandstone, with chhatris on the roof. A large courtyard in front of the prayer hall once held thousands of worshippers. The overall design is comparable to the Jama Masjid in Delhi, though on a smaller scale, and its austere decoration contrasts with the rich inlay of Shah Jahan's tombs. Inscriptions on the facade record the foundation and the patron.

The mosque remains in active use, so visitors must respect worship, avoid prayer times and dress modestly, with shoulders and legs covered, and remove their shoes. Entry is free, and the mosque is open during daylight hours. The surrounding market is a busy commercial district, and the mosque is often visited together with Agra Fort, which lies across the road. Maintenance is by local religious trustees, with periodic repairs to the sandstone and domes. The setting among bazaar lanes offers a view of everyday Agra life alongside the monument itself.