Lal Masjid 3 Domes (Gumbad) Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Architecture developed and blossomed in central and northern India during the Mughal era quite popular as mughal architecture. Agra in particular is famous for Mughal monuments and is the first choice of millions of tourists.
After lockdown I had an opportunity to travel to Agra for sightseeing. As this time I was focused on unknown or lesser known monuments situated in Agra. I found one such attractive monument on Mathura Road, while coming back from Sikandara. I was much attracted at just first glimpse and Its architectural magnificence persuaded my interest. It’s known as Lal Masjid also known as Lal Masjid 3 Gumbads.
It can be easily assessed as situated on Balkeshwar Road, close to Water Works Chowraha.
It’s a protected monument as Board is there. I found few devotees who were waiting for the Asr prayer and I joined them. While having dialogue with them I could come to know that no body is having any knowledge about its builder as there’s no inscription available in any form. After prayer I first started with the tomb which is at the Southern side of the mosque.
This building defines all the basic elements of Mughal architecture, seems that it was built during Shah Jahan’s period.
It is built on a square platform and below the platform main graves are there. There are three to four stone-built talismans or Taveez that confirm to have more than one grave. The platform or ground floor roof is supported on moulded bricks masonry arches and walls. The walls of the ground floor are covered with red stones, in which the geometrical and floral motifs are carved. But I didn’t notice any Arabic or Persian inscription. Above the roof square tomb is built. Having four grand archways in each direction; Eastern and western are higher than the Northern and southern; and completely decorated with carved red stone. Archways are having thin minarets and complete roof is having decorated red stone border. Displays the various islamic motifs in the form of carvings. Muqarnas can be noticed in the ceiling of archways. Tomb centre is crowned with a large dome topped with lotus petals and having elongated finial in the center. There was no mean to go up so I could take pictures from lower side.
Mosque’s interior depicts that it was having all aesthetic architectural features. As half portion of Northern side from the main Mihrab is collapsed, hence bricks columns are added to save the structure by the ASI. Western wall is having subsidiary mihrabs and arched niches. Whole roof is supported by decorated stone pillars and jagged archways which are connecting the wings of the prayer hall. In ceiling honeycomb plaster can be noticed and stone work was also done to enhance its utmost beauty. Its roof was crowned by three domes now only two are existing. These domes are erected on octagonal drums. Western side domed canopies made of stone are significant. It has many architectural aesthetic features belongs to the excellence of Mughal architecture.
It can be easily traced that this mosque and tomb were covered with red stone. One person said that this tomb belongs to Mirza Zafar Khan who was a general in Shah Jahan’s army. How authentic I don’t know.
It’s a marvelous monument and active place of worship. Also a major attraction among the history buffs, art and architecture lovers. Special attention of local heritage lovers jointly with the devotees and ASI is required to ensure and protect its architectural beauty. Kindly refer the link for detailed pictures.
Pictures
