Jama Masjid, Junagadh

Jumma Masjid or Jama Masjid is a mosque in Uparkot Fort in Junagadh, Gujarat, India. The mosque was built in 15th century by converting a temple or a palace now identified as Ranakdevi Mahal by local people. There is a controversy surrounding the identification of the structure.

History

The Jumma Masjid (Friday Mosque) was built by Mahmud Begada in 15th century following capture of Junagadh in 1472. It is evidently constructed from the materials of a Hindu or Jain temple or previously existing palace. The palace is now identified as Ranakdevi Mahal by local people attributing it to Ranakdevi, the legendary queen of Chudasama ruler Khengara.

The Jumma Masjid and cannons are enlisted as the State Protected Monument (S-GJ-115) by Archaeology Department of the Government of Gujarat. In 2020, the Gujarat tourism department placed a board marking the place as Jami Masjid–Ranakdevi Mahal. The local Rajput community objected to the identification as a mosque and protested. Later the board was removed.

As of 2020, it is being restored under Uperkot fort restoration project of the Government of Gujarat.

Architecture

The mosque is built on a brick platform and looks like a citadel. It has solid thick walls and a slim column rising from a corner. The column looks more like a turret than a minaret. The mosque was never finished and the part of its hall is open to sky. There is a staircase leading to terraced roof. It was reinstalled during the restoration.[

How to get there

By Road: Private and state bus services are available from different junctions in the state.

By Rail: The town has a railway station that is connected to major cities in Gujarat.

By Air: The closest airports to Junagadh are Keshod (40 km) Porbandar (104 km) and Rajkot (105.3 km).