Mecca Masjid Historical Facts and Pictures

Mecca Masjid, also known as Makkah Masjid, is located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is among the largest mosques in India, situated close to other important landmarks like Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace and Laad Bazaar.

The construction was started under the rule of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, who directed that bricks made from soil brought all the way from Mecca shall be used in the construction of the central arch of the mosque. However, before the construction of the mosque could be completed, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb conquered Hyderabad. He was later credited with completing the construction of the mosque in 1694. More than 500 men took 5 years for quarrying the single piece of granite that was used for the three arches of the mosque. It is said that the whole mammoth exercise took around 8000 workers and 1400 oxen for completion.

Influence of Islamic architecture is clearly visible in its design with richly sculpted minarets, arched galleries and domes. The mosque is 67 meters in length, 54 meters in width with a maximum height of 23 meters. The main hall of the mosque is big enough to easily accommodate 10000 worshippers at a time. The courtyard at the mosque’s entrance contains the marble graves of Asaf Jahi rulers and according to legend, a room in it also houses a hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammed.

Mecca Masjid

Mecca Masjid Images

Mecca Masjid Pictures

Mecca Masjid

Mecca Masjid Inside

Inside of Mecca Masjid

Mecca Masjid Inside

Mecca Masjid Inside Pictures

Due to the growing pollution and lack of maintenance, the structure of the masjid has withered and developed several cracks which prompted the Andhra Pradesh Government to declare Charminar a traffic free zone, to check further damage.