who built moti masjid.......
The Moti Masjid in Agra was built by Shah Jahan. During the rule of Shah Jahan the Mughal emperor, numerous architectural wonders were built. Most famous of them being the Taj Mahal. Moti Masjid earned the epithet Pearl Mosque for it shined like a pearl. It is held that this mosque was constructed by Shah Jahan for his members of royal court.
architecture
It stands on ground that slopes from east to west to the north of Diwan-i-Am complex in Agra Fort. The courtyard of the Moti Masjid has side arcades and arched recessions and the main sanctuary facade beyond. The sanctuary is roofed with three bulbous domes built of light white marble and stand on the red sandstone walls. There are a series of Hindu-style domed kiosks along the parapet. There are seven bays that are divided into aisles which are supported by piers and lobed arches. The Moti Masjid boasts of extensive white marble facing, a typical stylistic feature of architecture during the reign of Shah Jahan.
time taken to build.......
This masjid was constructed at a cost of 1 lakh and 60 thousand rupees and took four years to build. According to Sant Nihal Singh, "It struggles of the soul to soar above worldly entanglements."
current state - before state
difference- colour faded due to pollution.
monuments
Up to the present day, it is a principle of conservation work to preserve monuments as evidence of past times and cultures. They do not only convey history but they are part of history and enable us to “touch history”. Therefore, it is the task of the preservation of monuments to protect these documents as originally as possible in their existing substance and to pass them on to future generations as “genuine” cultural heritage.
how to conserve monuments.....
1. Vehicles should not be allowed near the monument.
2. Tourists should be fined if caught writing or scratching on the monument.
3. Construction should not be allowed near the heritage site.
4. Due to farming and irrigation, water seeps into the ground spoiling the monument. hence, farming and irrigation near the heritage site should be banned.
5. Renovate damaged historical monuments and provide them legal protection under the heritage protection act of UNO.
6. Government should not only make rules but also see that people follow it.
extra facts.......
moti masjid or pearl mosque is known so because of its pearly white marble interiors. The exteriors of the mosque seem to be made of brick. The marble tank situated centrally in the court and the sundial made up of an octagonal marble pillar in one of its corners are quite impressive. There are arcaded cloisters surrounding the courtyard on the northern, eastern and the southern sides with twelve sided pillars and cusped arches while the prayer chamber is on its western side.
The main entrance to the mosque is on the eastern side and thus, it is much larger and more beautiful than the subsidiary gates on the southern and the northern sides that had arches and three square chhatris crowning them. The main gateways are approachable by two staircases and had a red sandstone exterior and a marble interior. The prayer chamber has an arcade of seven arches. Out of its twenty-one bays, only three have vaulted soffits. Its western wall has beautifully carved and inlaid mihrab and six niches corresponding to the arches of the façade. Unlike the usual three steps, there are four steps to the pulpit. There are prayer chambers for women on either side of the main prayer chamber that had a marble latticework screen separating them from the main hall. This chamber has three bulbous domes crowning it. There are seven beautiful square chhatris above the parapet and an octagonal tower with a marble cupola on top at each corner.
by keerthana gollapalli
7th c
roll no. 15
