Tucked away behind a courtyard, the Jumma (Jama) Masjid is an ancient mosque located near Mandvi, Baroda. Built in 1461 A.D. during the Sultanate period, it has a rich historical legacy. The mosque was later renovated and the current building was completed with the aid of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1912 A.D.
The Mosque
The mosque’s construction was overseen by the building committee of Anjuman-i-Islam, Baroda, and the State architect Mr. Alfred Coyle. The entrance is through a large gate nestled between tightly packed shops leading to Gendi Gate. Above these shops, one can observe two stories of doors and windows behind a continuous balcony, which are part of the mosque’s complex.
Upon entering the grand gateway, visitors are greeted by a spacious courtyard that leads to the main prayer hall, known as the “liwan.” The facade of this prayer hall is flanked by two tall minarets and features nine arches arranged in a row. The hall is crowned with three domes and has eleven “mihrabs” on the “qibla” wall, indicating the direction of Mecca.
Asia’s Biggest Quran
For over 200 years, the mosque housed Asia’s largest Quran, measuring an impressive 1.4 by 1.9 meters. The holy book, written in 15 volumes and weighing over 1.5 tonnes in total, was created by Islamic saint Mohhamed Ghauz in the 18th century. The saint began writing the Quran at the age of 18 and completed it at 65 in 1781. The Quran was meticulously written in Arabic using natural inks such as “kajal” and gold water, with each page lined with cloth to preserve its longevity.
The Quran suffered damage during the floods of July 2005 and has since been moved to the Darul Uloom Seminary, Tandalja area, for preservation and safekeeping.
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