Jama Masjid Gulbarga

Jama Masjid, Gulbarga Overview

Jama Masjid is a 14th-century mosque in the Gulbarga City of Karnataka. It is a part of the Gulbarga Fort complex which marks the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan. The mosque is considered one of the first to be built in South India. Jama Masjid Gulbarga along with the Spanish Mosque of Hyderabad (built inside Paigah Palace) are the two only Indian mosques that reflect the essence of Spanish architecture. They both have interior similar to the Great Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba, Spain.

Architecture of Jama Masjid Gulbarga

Jama Masjid is considered an architectural marvel of the Deccan. A Persian architect from Kazwin known as Rafi is said to have built this holy place. One of the main features is that it is a rare mosque in India that does not have a courtyard. It does not have any minarets either. Instead, a huge central dome is built along with several other smaller domes. The entire structure is covered with a roof which makes it majestic to look at. There is an intricate system of archways inside and outside the mosque. The distinctive exterior makes it a major attraction in South East Asia. The mosque has influenced Deccan architecture and similar features were observed in historical buildings of the later Deccan era.

The Jama Masjid Gulbarga attracts a lot of tourists from around the world because of its archaic and unique architecture. The mosque is quite famous among the devotees and throughout the year people come to offer their prayers and pay respect.

History of Jama Masjid Gulbarga

Bahmani dynasty was established in by Ala al-Din Hasan Bahman Shah who was a servant at the court of Muhammad Bin Tughluq. Later in 1367, Jama Masjid was built by Muhammad Shah I to commemorate Gulbarga as the capital of Bahmani Sultanate in the Deccan. The Sultanate survived till 1509 when it was defeated and destroyed by the Vijayanagara Empire.

How To Reach Jama Masjid Gulbarga

Jama Masjid Gulbarga is just 2 km away from the city centre of Gulbarga within the Gulbarga Fort premises in the Halbarga area. It takes about 7 mins to reach the masjid. Auto rickshaws are readily available to take you to the destination. In case you’re travelling the whole of Karnataka, Gulbarga is very well connected with roads throughout the state. Both private and state run buses are available to reach Gulbarga.

The nearest railway station is Kalaburagi Junction Railway Station located at a distance of 4.5 km. It takes around 15 mins to reach the mosque from there. The nearest major airport is Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. Gulbarga is well connected with trains and highways from Bangalore. It is an 11-hour journey.