The Babri Mosque or Babri Masjid was constructed during the reign of the first Mughal emperor of India, Babur, in Ayodhya in the 16th century. The Mosque was named so in the 1940s, before it was called `Masjid-i Janmasthan` meaning "mosque of the birthplace". There is a long history associated with the Masjid, this is believed that Babur`s commander-in-chief Mir Baki smashed an already existing temple there, which was built to celebrate the birthplace of the Hindu deity Rama. There were numerous schools of art that inspired the various mosques all over India. The jaunpur architectural school influenced this mosque.
The Barbri masjid was an unique mix of western and local style of architectural designs. It consisted of three domes, one central and two secondary, surrounded by two high walls, running parallel to each other and enveloping a large central courtyard with a deep well, welknown for its cold and sweet water. Two stone tablets were fixed on the high entrance of the domed structure, which bore two inscriptions in Persian about the builders of the Mosque.
The walls of the Babri Mosque were made of coarse-grained whitish sandstone blocks, rectangular in shape, and the domes were made of thin and small burnt bricks. The Babri Masjid was highly praised for its grand beautiful style of architecture all over the world. The Babri Masjid built in a distinct style, which was an impressive specimen that developed after the Delhi Sultanate.
The Babri Masjid is famous for some architectural genius like the acoustic system that is also mentioned in a book. Large recess in the wall of the Mihrab and several recesses in the surroundings walls, which functioned as resonators made it possible for the sound to be heard across. There were six-window grills, which were so positioned to allow cool air to pass through the mosque. The grills were a fine example of Islamic two-dimensional geometry. Along with the thick walls and high roof, they kept the interior cool. Many smaller `Roshandans` with intricate geometrical patterns, were installed in the masjid for light.
The air-cooling systems, and other techniques are very nicely integrated in the Babri mosque`s Tughluquid style. The high ceiling, domes, and six large grill windows helped to bring down the temperature and also allow natural ventilation and as daylight within.
Apart from the architectural greatness, there were also many medicinal properties of the deep well in the central courtyard, to be precise in the south Eastern Courtyard of the large rectangular courtyard of the Babri Mosque. This was believed to have healing power that was efficient in curing any illness.
The Babri Masjid combined best techniques in architecture and an important specimen of art of the Mughal era. Though it used different styles and techniques, the characteristics were mixed to give a more heightened perfection to the whole structure. The Masjid exist no more but its fame continues to exist far and wide.
