Jaunpur: Mosques, Bridges and the Gomti

Jaunpur tells its story through buildings with very different forms and details: tall mosques, a fort on the banks of the Gomti, and a historic bridge with an unusual sculpture. Visitors interested in architecture and local history will find distinctive details to explore here. The landscape around Gujartal and the options for arriving by train or bus also offer clues to help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Sharqi architecture and its distinctive details

Construction of the Atala Masjid began in 1393 under Feroze Shah, and it was completed in 1408 by Ibrahim Shah Sharki. It is more than 100 feet high and has three large entrance gates. The Masjid Lal Darwaja was built in 1455 by V. V. Raje, the wife of Sultan Mahamud Shah Sharki. The complex is defined by three gates and a courtyard; inscriptions in Sanskrit and Pali appear on two pillars. The different inscriptions and large entrances give each of these two mosques its own architectural features.

The Jama Masjid is also among the significant monuments of the Sharqi period. It is more than 200 feet high, and 27 steps lead to the upper level. Its design features include Egyptian-style engravings, curved arches, window grilles, and motifs of lotus flowers, sunflowers, and roses. The Juma Masjid is listed as a centrally protected monument. The two names here refer to the respective mosques they designate.

Only the central arch of the Jhanjhari Masjid remains. It is 35 feet high and 32 feet wide. The mosque is in the Sipah district on the north bank of the Gomti. If you are interested in individual architectural elements, the surviving arch offers a specific point of interest alongside the larger complexes and their gates, courtyards, and decorations.

Fort and bridge on the Gomti

The Shahi Qila is in the center of Jaunpur, on the left bank of the Gomti. The fort contains a Turkish-style bath. The Shahi Qila also offers views of the river and the city. Its riverside location and outlook make the Qila a distinct chapter in the city's history. This may be an interesting factor when choosing accommodation if you are visiting Jaunpur primarily for its historic buildings and connection to the Gomti.

The Shahi Pul was built in 1564 by Munyeen Khankhana on Akbar's orders during his reign. Its roadway is level with the ground, and the bridge spans rest on octagonal pillars. A large lion sculpture stands on a square platform in the middle, with an elephant lying beneath its front paws. This unusual motif sets the bridge apart from the mosques and the fort: here, the bridge's construction and sculpture take center stage.

Getting there, city life, and the surrounding area

Jaunpur City is one of two railway stations in Jaunpur. The bus station has good connections to Varanasi, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Allahabad. If you are planning your trip with transport links in mind, these two ways of arriving may influence your choice of accommodation. Local transport is available to the Atala Masjid, about 3 km from the bus station. The Jhanjhari Masjid is within 3 km of the bus station; auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws are available. Local transport is available to the Masjid Lal Darwaja, about 5 km away, and to the Sheetala Maata Chaukiya Temple, also about 5 km away.

Sheetala Maata Chaukiya is an old temple associated with the worship of Shiva and Shakti. Large crowds gather there during Navratri. This religious connection adds another dimension to Jaunpur's architectural sights. Wool carpets and durries from the city are made by skilled craftspeople on traditional handlooms. Wool, cotton, and blended yarns are used. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose to focus on architectural history, religious sites, or the city's crafts.

Visitors who want to include a natural setting as well as the city can explore Gujartal. This scenic area is two miles west of Kheta Sarai. Van Vihar on T.-D.-College-Kuddupur Road attracts tourists. These different locations can help you shape your trip to Jaunpur around the city and its cultural history, or around an interest in the landscape and other places to visit.

To the local page: Jaunpur. Other destinations at the same level: Ghaziabad, Allahabad, Bahraich, Pilibhit, Mainpuri, Jhansi, Meerut.

To the higher-level travel overview: Uttar Pradesh.