Nagina Masjid, Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Agra Fort was built by Emperor Akbar and after Lahore, Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan, who was the fifth Mughal emperor, is noted for his architectural patronage and amplified aspects. According to the historical records that about 500 beautiful buildings were constructed inside the fort. Few structures were razed by Shahjahan to create space for magnificent white marble palaces.
Pragmatism and compassionate tendencies were integral to his life. Even after a lifestyle with grandeur and elegance, his confidence and immense faith in God, remained his main strength source. The Royal Ladies of Royal Haram were also very interested in education and spiritual faith and the Nagina Mosque located in the Royal Complex is a proof of this.
It was built in 1635 AD by Shah Jahan, main prayer hall is raised. It’s an elegant and peaceful place of worship for the Royal Ladies. Built entirely of white marble, having open court on its three sides so it’s open and airy, it’s having high boundary wall and top with marble’s carved grills, to keep intact the veil system. The marble hangouts protecting the three indented archways front and two two archways in the North and South which are landed on square pillars, is round in the middle, above the central archway and so is the parapet. Three bulbous domes, crowned by lotus petals and elongated finials in the centre, constitute the fascinating superstructure. There are eight goodly shaped slender minarets four in the East side on the roof and four at the western side. The middle dome is higher than the side ones. Main Mihrab in the western wall is below the Middle dome. The Bengali traditional aesthetic features like curved roofs, Chajjas, curved parapet etc were mixed with Mughal style Islamic architecture as Akbar used in Agra and Lahore and later in Bara Katra which was the residence of Shah Shuja in Dhaka was built under the supervision of Subedar Islam Khan; Lal Bagh, Bibi Pari’s tomb, etc by Subedar Shaista Khan in Dhaka, as Bengal was the wealthiest region of the Mughal Empire and strategic military base. These decorative traditional Bengali architectural features are significant in this mosque. Ceilings of both the Mihrab are also triangular. A small shallow rectangular ablution tank with cascade is provided in the eastern wall. Inline the main prayer hall court floor is marked with decorated marble’s railings as part of the prayer hall.
Classical Mughal architecture and fusion of Bangali architecture made this structure very attractive like a gem.
Western wall is decorated with series of dentil arches in rectangular panels and horizontal and rectangular plain bold lines by black color. Floor is marked with prayer rugs, raised floor is decorated with floral vines, pillar bases are with Islamic motifs, pillar capitals with flowers, moulded corners and capital.
This is the most significant and magnificent monument located in the Royal Haram of Agra Fort. It seems that this Masjid was built by Shah Jahan for his beloved daughter Jahanara Begum who was quite generous and pious Mughal Princess. It’s a major attraction among the tourists who are fond of art and architecture as it’s blended with Bengali features.
