Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India. Located in Old Delhi, the mosque has the capacity to accommodate 25000 devotees. Jama Masjid was completed in 1656 AD and it was again the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan behind this architectural masterpiece. Close to some 5000 craftsmen were involved in the construction of the msque. It is located in Old Delhi, just opposite to the famous Lal Quila or the Red Fort.

Jama Masjid is also called the Friday congregational mosque because Muslims turn up in large numbers to offer Namaz on Fridays, called as the yaum al-jum`a. Masjid-i-Jahan Numa popularly called as Jama Masjid, means the mosque commanding a view of the world. The mosque is a real example of great architecture that existed during the Mughal period. It has the blend of both Hindu and Mughal style of architecture.

Prince Khurram, son of Emperor Jahangir and grandson of Emperor Akbar, ascended the throne in 1628, after a brief rule in the year 1627 by Dawar Baksh, the son of Khusru, the elder brother of Prince Khurram. This thirty- five-year-old Prince had a vision that encompassed the creation of a grand empire. Adhering to this ideal, he became Shah Jahan, the Ruler of the World. A great patron of architecture, with him came the golden era of building.

Who so buildeth for God a place of worship Be it like the nest of a Qata-bird God buildeth for him a house in paradise The Jama Masjid stands upon a rocky eminence at the back of the Chandni Chowk...
"The little hill upon which it stands was originally a high conical point of rock; but no undertaking being too great for the architects of the days in which it was built, the upper part of the rock was cut away, and made serviceable in filling in below; and thus a large table surface was obtained, upon which the foundation of the present building was laid. This was executed in the year 1632 [sic], by order of Shah Jahan, then reigning, and the mosque itself, so deservedly admired by all, for its was exquisite symmetry, is said to have been the emperor's own design…"

It is history being made. It is a moment that is being etched in red sandstone in a magnificent façade. The arches and minarets will come alive for eternity as Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan lays the foundation stone of the finest mosque in the world.

It is believed that the day the foundation stone of the mosque was laid, people from all across Delhi, including nobles and maulvis, assembled here. Addressing the eager crowd, Shah Jahan offered anyone who had never missed a single midnight prayer the honour of laying the stone. No one came forward.