Taj-ul-Masajid

Taj-ul-Masajid in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the largest mosques in India and Asia, located in the Old Bhopal area. Commissioned in 1871 by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum and completed in 1985, it features a grand pink facade, three white marble domes, two 67-metre octagonal minarets and a vast courtyard. The mosque is notable for its Mughal-inspired architecture, capacity for over 175,000 worshippers and its status as a major landmark of Bhopal.

Visitors can expect a vast mosque complex with a pink sandstone facade, three bulbous white marble domes, two tall octagonal minarets and a large open courtyard with a central ablution tank. The interior features arched halls, marble flooring and ornate pillars. The surroundings include bustling Old Bhopal markets and views of the old city. Visitors can explore the courtyard, admire the architecture from outside and observe daily prayers from designated areas.

Construction was commissioned in 1871 by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum, the ruler of Bhopal, and continued by her daughter Sultan Jahan Begum. Work was halted due to lack of funds and remained incomplete for decades. Construction resumed in 1971 and was completed in 1985. The mosque reflects the architectural patronage of the Begums of Bhopal and incorporates Mughal and contemporary design elements.

Taj-ul-Masajid is a major Islamic religious centre in central India and an important landmark of Bhopal's cultural heritage. It serves as a principal congregational mosque, especially during Eid prayers, and hosts religious gatherings and annual congregations. Its scale and architecture represent the city's historic identity as a former princely state ruled by the Begums.