Shah Jahan Masjid Thatta

Name of Monument: Shah Jahan Masjid

Location: Thatta

Province: Punjab

Period of Construction: Mughal: 1644-1647

Materials of Construction and finishes: Bricks, glazed tiles

Brief Description
The most significant monument of the Shah Jahan period in Sindh is the Shah Jahan Mosque at Thatta. It was built between 1644 to 1647 AD on the order of the emperor. The mosque may have been constructed in part to reverse the effects of a devastating storm that had swept through the city in 1637 AD. The construction begun by Nawab Gul Aqa Amir Khan on the order of Shah Jahan. The usual careful crafting of this brick structure and its magnificent profuse tilework suggest that the mosque was subsidized by imperial coffers. The plan of the prayer chamber and even elevation derive from the Timurid design tradition. The eastern wing was added later in 1658 AD. The mosque measures 305 feet along east-west by 170 feet north-south axis. Around the great inner courtyard (are open domed halls. The hall on the western side is three bays deep and flanks the prayer chambers four on each side of the main prayer chamber. The riwaq on the north and south are two bay deep while the double bayed large domed halls on the east side forms the main entrance. The 93 domes, which cover the entire structure, are the cause of remarkable echo which enable the prayers in front of the mihrab to be heard in any part of the building. Unlike all other Mughal period mosques, the Thatta mosque does not have any minaret. The interior of the mosque is decorated with sun motives that serve to underscore the symbol of the dome as a representation of the heaven. Blue with white accent is primarily used, with the sparing addition of other colors especially yellow and purple. These pishtaq of the main iwan of prayer chamber is dominating the courtyard. The glazed tile work in Shah Jahan Mosque Thatta is the finest in the Indian subcontinent. Thin turquoise monochrome glazed tiles were used instead mortar for spaces between bricks. Binna’i technique was used in the soffit of the arches connecting three qibla domes chambers.