Atala Masjid, Jaunpur

Atala Masjid or Atala Mosque is a 15th century mosque in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the chief tourist attractions in Jaunpur. The mosque bears the evidences of the times in which it was built. The Atala Masjid is a useful specimen of mosques, not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in India. 
==Location==
2.2 km north-norteast of Jaunpur, 7.3 km northwest of Zafarābād, 16.8 km north-northeast of Mariāhū, 26.3 km west-northwest of Kirākat.ACME MApper
===Transport links===
* Located 3 kilometers away from the railway junction at Bhandari, 
* by availing the bus or train services from Varanasi (Benaras), which is separated from Jaunpur by a distance of 56 kilometers. 
* Lucknow and Mirzapur are the other two cities located at a distance of 214 kilometers and 69 kilometers respectivel.
==Construction==
The Jaunpur Atala Masjid was built by Sultan Ibrahim (1401-1440), Sharqi Sultan of Jaunpur on foundations laid during the reign of Tughluq Sultan Firuz Shah III (1351-1388). Though the emergence of this mosque dates back to 1377 A.D., the construction work was completed in the year 1408.Archnet Digital Library: Atala Mosque
==Architecture==
The chief feature of Atala Masjid is that in spite of being a mosque and that too, built by the Muslims rulers, the Masjid shows a lot of influences of Hindu architecture. In fact, there is a clear resemblance of Hindu style of architecture, in the entire Masjid. The reason for such similarity is due to the fact that the Atala Masjid is situated on the site of a temple of Atala Devi.Advanced history of medieval India By S.R. Bakshi Hence the Atala Masjid, Jaunpur also gets its name from this Hindu Temple.
On the other hand, the Begampur Masjid in Delhi is also believed to have influenced the construction a great deal. The presence of niches, inclined walls, the form and structure of beams and pillars, resembles the mosques, tombs and other buildings that were built by Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughlaq and Firoz Shah Tughlaq of the Tughlaq Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. 
The central portico of Atala Masjid in Jaunpur, India has a stately arch. Inside, there is a massive hall, which is the main prayer room. The three domes of the Atala Masjid differ in size. The 'mihrab' (the niche in the wall of the mosque, which indicates the direction of Mecca), the decorations of the prayer room as well as the two-tiered corridors are the other features of Jaunpur Atala Masjid, which are noteworthy. 
Some distinct features of the mosque are:Atala Masjid, Jaunpur (1408 AD)
* Square shaped mosque with robust appearance,
* Use of great rectangular pylons in the center of liwan, influence of circular tapering turrets of Tughlaqs resolved into rectangular shape,
* Hindu influence is present in bracketed openings,
* Huge arch springing between two pylons,
* On the either side of Maqsura pylon are two identical mini – pylons and three separate gateways are also installed in northern, eastern and southern liwan
==Current use==
The Mosque is on the List of Monuments/Sites of Archaeological Survey of India of Directorate of Archaeology, (U.P.)Directorate of Archaeology (Uttar Pradesh): List of Monuments/Sites of archaelogical survey of India and on list List of Monuments of Archaeological Survey of India.Archaeological Survey of India: Alphabetical List of Monuments - Uttar Pradesh 
The Mosque is open for its devotees from 7.30 in the morning till 8.00 at night. Besides, special prayers are held every Friday.
A Madarsa named Madarsa Din Dunia is also housed in central courtyard of the mosque.
==In literature==
William Hodges in his book 'Select Views in India' mentions about this mosque.India a modern idők elött
==See also==
*Shahi Bridge, Jaunpur
*Jama Masjid, Jaunpur
==References==
==External links==
* Department of Tourism, Government of UP, Uttar Pradesh
* ATALA MASJID/JAUNPUR
* Architecture of India: The Indo-islamic Architecture: THE PROVINCIAL STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
* A Handbook of Indian Art By E. B. Havell
* Legacy of the Sharqi Kingdom of Jaunpur
* Muslim religious architecture By Doğan Kuban
* Studies in Mughal History By Ashvini Agrawal
* atala@www.columbia.edu
* The Legacy of India By G. T. Garratt
* ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF REGIONAL STATES
==Notes==
* Michell, George (ed). Architecture of the Islamic World: Its History and Social Meaning. London: Thames and Hudson, 272. 
* Nath, R. 1978. History of Sultanate Architecture. New Delhi, Abhinav Publications, 98-100. 
* Williams, John A. and Caroline. 1980. Architecture of Muslim India. Set 4: The Sultanate of Jaunpur about 1360-1480. Santa Barbara, California: Visual Education, Inc. 
Category:Jaunpur
Category:1400s architecture
Category:1408 establishments
Category:Jaunpur architecture
Category:Buildings and structures in Uttar Pradesh
Category:Mosques
Category:Mosques in India
Category:Tourism in Uttar Pradesh