Jama Masjid exists on the hilltop of Bharuch Fort. It is believed that the masjid has been built during the 14th century AD. The most notable aspect of the mosque is that it has been constructed from the remains of an ancient Jain temple. The mosque depicts a conventional mosque as far as the construction style is considered. Bharuch has around 57% muslims. Thus a good number of mosques can be found in Bharuch, out of which Jama Masjid is prominent and famous due to its rich ancestral historical background. This mosque is located at the base of Bharuch Fort. Thus this is a place of double delight for tourists. Probably dates from about the beginning of the 1300’s. Largely composed of temple materials, it was planned and constructed as per mosque principles. Consists of a courtyard with gateways on 3 sides and a sanctuary in the west. The sanctuary is of the open pillared variety, i.e. without a screen of arches puts across the front. It is merely an elaborated loggia or verandah. All 48 pillars of the sanctuary are of bracket pattern. The walls surrounding the sanctuary have been constructed out of stone cut for this specific purpose, and are thus the earliest example of original masonry work for this style. The stones were quarried from existing temples and precut or reconditioned. There are 3 mihrabs on the interior of the western wall and a series of arched windows filled with stone tracery designed in the indigenous manner. Except for a certain amount of direction and supervision from Muslim overseers, the actual production is the handiwork of local artisans who had probably never seen a mosque before.
