_Reinventing the Mosque Architecture in the Indian Context

Contemporarily a mosque is a place or open area of prayer in Islam Arabic word “masjid” means a
place of “prostration to god.” This word is used the same in Persian, Urdu, and Turkish languages in
the early days. Mosques can be classified into two main types: “masjid Jami” or “collective mosque,”
which is a sizeable area-controlled mosque with central community worship. And then smaller
mosques operated by various private groups within society. Historically the first mosque existed at the
place of worship of prophet Mohammed in the courtyard of his house in Medina. This was not the
contemporary mosque that we see today with domes, arches, and prominent facades; instead, this was
just a simple plot of ground marked out as sacred.
The main elements of a mosque contemporarily are a minaret, also called as tower, which is one of the
most visible aspects of mosque architecture from where the call to prayer is announced, not much of
a functional part now, but it still serves as a powerful visual reminder of the presence of Islam. The
second main element is “Qubba” or “Dome” in English. Now, this element in a mosque is not a
ritualistic requirement like “mihrab,” but a dome serves as a symbolic representation of the “vaults of
heaven” it mainly consists of “stealer motifs” or “geometric motifs .” The third main element of the
mosque is mosque patronage. These are patronage spaces made as a remembrance for kings and
famous noble people.
The grandness and technological advancement in architectural technique in the present context have
changed mosque elements’ basic functionality like the primary functions of minarets were for calling
Azaan. However, technology has changed, and now the use of loudspeakers is common in all mosques.