Jaunpur

Gaharwar, Sharqi capital, Akbar bridge and woollen carpet craft

Jaunpur grew through Gaharwar, Tughlaq, Sharqi, Lodi, Mughal, Awadh and British phases. Malik-ul-Sharq made Jaunpur his capital in the late fourteenth century, and the Sharqi period created major monuments such as Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid, Lal Darwaza Masjid and Shahi Qila. Akbar-era Shahi Pul on the Gomti remains one of the district signature landmarks. Jaunpur later became a separate district in the nineteenth century.

The places you’ll remember.

Sharqi Monument

Atala Masjid

Major Sharqi monument completed by Ibrahim Shah Sharqi in 1408. Its high gateways, galleries and massive proportions made it a model for later Jaunpur mosques.

MosqueSharqiHeritage

02

Fort Heritage

Shahi Qila, Jaunpur

Fort on the left bank of the Gomti, originally built in 1362. Its eastern gate, arches, Turkish-style bath, mosque and river view remain important city heritage.

FortGomtiHeritage

Akbar-era Bridge

Shahi Pul

Famous bridge over the Gomti built in 1564 on Akbar order by Muneem Khan Khankhana. It has old pillbox shops, octagonal pylons and a lion-elephant sculpture.

BridgeAkbarGomti

04

Sharqi Mosque

Jama Masjid, Jaunpur

Large Sharqi-period mosque near Purani Bazar on Shahganj road, completed during Husain Shah rule with high steps, major gateways and rich ornament.

MosqueSharqiPurani Bazar

Devi Temple

Sheetla Chaukiya Dham

Old Ma Sheetla Chaukiya Devi temple, linked with long-standing Shiv-Shakti worship and Bhar-Yadav local traditions. Mondays, Fridays and Navratri attract large crowds.

TempleSheetla MataNavratri

Sharqi Mosque

Lal Darwaza Masjid

Mosque built in 1455 at Begumganj by the queen of Sultan Mahmud Shah Sharqi. It has gateways, a courtyard and stone inscriptions.

MosqueLal DarwazaSharqi

07

Sharqi Ruins

Jhanjhari Masjid, Sipah

Early Sharqi mosque in Sipah locality on the north bank of the Gomti. Its surviving arch and jhanjhari-style details are valued despite flood and demolition damage.

MosqueSipahSharqi

08

Historic Mosque

Jama Masjid, Machhlishahr

Ancient mosque at Machhlishahr from Husain Shah Sharqi period, listed by the district among notable places beyond the main city.

MosqueMachhlishahrSharqi

09

Lake and Nature

Gujar Tal and Van Vihar

Scenic lake west of Kheta Sarai with pisciculture, plus Van Vihar on T.D. College-Kuddupur road. Good for nature and local leisure coverage.

LakeNatureKheta Sarai

10

City Heritage

Sadar Imambara and Old City Heritage

Old city heritage including Sadar Imambara, Sher-ki-Masjid near Shahi Pul, Idgah and traditional lanes that show Jaunpur beyond its main monuments.

Old CityImambaraHeritage

11

Temple Route

Kerakat Kali Temple and Gomteshwar Mahadev

Kerakat side temple route listed by the district, including Kali Temple and Gomteshwar Mahadev. Useful for smaller-place pilgrimage coverage.

TempleKerakatMahadev

12

ODOP Craft

Madiyahun Woollen Dari Craft Cluster

ODOP woollen carpet and dari craft cluster around Madiyahun, where artisans hand-knot and hand-tuft floor coverings that are also exported.

ODOPDariCarpet

What you might be missing.

Local Food And Products

Jaunpur ODOP is woollen carpets or dari, especially around the Madiyahun region. The district is also famous for Beniram Debi Prasad imarti, Bhojpuri-Awadhi market food, agriculture, agro-based units, cotton mill activity and Satahariya industrial area.

From the travel journal.

Before you set off.

October to March is best for Atala Masjid, Shahi Qila, Shahi Pul, Jama Masjid, Sheetla Chaukiya Dham, Gujar Tal and carpet cluster visits. Navratri brings crowds at Sheetla Chaukiya Dham.