Overview

Atala Mosque, Uttar Pradesh

Atala Mosque is located in Jaunpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Atala Mosque was built by Ibrahim Naib Barbak, step brother of Emperor Firoz Shah Tughlaq III. The Mosque mosque was built upon on a site by demolishing a prominent Hindu temple, Atala Devi Temple on the exact place. According to historians, the temple was built by Raja Vijayachandra of Kannauj of Gahadavala Dynasty in 1155 CE. The deity, Atala Devi was worshipped by the locals and was highly revered upon. It was believed that praying to the deity can change fate. The temple was destroyed in 1364 CE and the construction of the mosque was commenced in 1377 CE. It took approx. 21 years to complete the mosque. After the destruction of Atala Devi Temple by Ibrahim Naib Barbak in the year of 1364 CE then her worship almost ended.

The Atala mosque was built in the Sharqi style of architecture. Changes were only made on the outer part of the mosque. The inner walls and the pillars still hold the evidence of being a Hindu temple structure. The intricate designs on the walls and the pillars are amazing. A notable construction is the middle dome. The remarkable middle dome cannot be viewed from outside as it is obstructed by the presence of a 23 metres tall tower. The dome is 17 metres high. Archaeological Survey of India has enlisted Atala Mosque in their ‘List of Monuments’. It is protected and well maintained by them. It is a very significant historical site of both Hindus and Muslims.