The Masjid-i Jami of Herat was the city's first congregational mosque. It was built on a site where religious sites had been located for many centuries.[1] The first known building was a Zoroastrian temple converted into a mosque in the 7th century.[2] Afterward, it was enlarged by the Turkic Ghaznavids. In the second half of the 11th century, a Herat mosque was founded under the rule of the Khwarazmian dynasty.[3] It had a wooden roof and was of smaller dimensions than the following buildings. During an earthquake in 1102, it was almost completely destroyed but was rebuilt. Later, it was also ruined by a fire. Subsequently, the Ghurids constructed a mosque on the existing and adjacent plots.[1]

Ghurid rulers  Great Mosque of Herat: Ghurid entrance (iwan) with remains of Ghurid inscriptions. 1200-1201.[4][5]

Planning to expand their territory, the Ghurids seized power in Herat in 1175 CE. Herat is an important city because of its strategic position near the main commercial routes, connecting the Mediterranean to India or China, and the resulting prosperity.[6] At the end of the 12th century, Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammed ibn San initiated the rebuilding of the city's main mosque in Herat.[1][6] For this purpose, he chose the existing plot of the burned mosque and additional land around it.[3] The land was located in the north-eastern, mainly administrative quarter of Herat and not directly in the center.[2] Scholars believe that this area was topographically elevated. Furthermore, it had a direct water supply from the main channel joy-i-enjil for the fountain of the mosque.[1] By building the mosque on an already known site, the Ghurids could demonstrate their architectural patronage, as well as political power.[6] Some sources also believe that the Sultan ordered the mosque to be built for Imam Fakhr-ul-Razi, a religious leader.[7]

After the Sultan died in 1203, he was buried in the mausoleum, a tomb building in his mosque. His son, Sultan Ghayath-ul-din Mahmood, continued the work on the mosque.[1][3] By the time it was completed in 1210, his son had added a madrassa, which is a religious school. Stylistic analysis and historical inscriptions found during a renovation in 1964 prove that the building is attributed to the Ghurids.[1][3]

Kart rulers

In 1221, Mongolian Genghis Khan forces conquered the province. Along with much of Herat, the mosque fell into ruin.[1][8] It wasn't until after 1245 that any rebuilding programs were undertaken.[2] This was under the rule of Shams al-Din Kart.[9] He was the king of the Kart dynasty, appointed by the Mongols as governor.[2] A devastating earthquake in 1364 left the building almost destroyed. Afterward, some attempts were made to rebuild it.[10] A relic of the Kart dynasty is the bronze basin with a diameter of 1.74 meters. It was commissioned in 1375 by the last Kart ruler specifically for the mosque. This basin has survived all subsequent demolitions, except for a few scratches, and is still located in the mosque.[3][7][11]

Timurid Rulers

After 1397, the Timurid rulers redirected Herat's growth towards the northern part of the city. This suburbanization and the building of a new congregational mosque in Gawhar Shad's Musalla marked the temporary end of the congregational mosque's patronage by a monarchy.[10] Under Shah Rukh (1405–1444), the mosque was repaired. The ground plan remained, but exterior aspects were changed. The inner courtyard facades were decorated with mosaic of glazed tiles, including the name of Shah Rukh. Also, a marble mihrab was added to the west of the mosque. A mihrab is a niche in the wall that indicates the direction of prayer to Mecca.[1][3]

Later, under the rule of Sultan Husayn Bayqara, his advisor Mir Ali-Shir Nava'i devoted himself to remodeling the mosque.[1][3] He made structural changes to the propositions, such as lowering the Ghuridic archway at the southeast corner. He also added lateral archways on both sides at the level of the roof. In addition, he ordered mosaic tiles with geometric patterns to be applied to further parts of the mosque.[1][12] The marble minbar with nine steps replaced the old wooden one. A minbar is a pulpit from which prayers are delivered.[3][7]

Mughal and Safavid Rulers

The mosque went through another renovation under the Mughal Empire. During this period, Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) was fighting for control of the region against the Uzbek tribes, which were controlled by the Safavids.[10] In this battle for Herat, the mosque, as well as the city of Herat itself, was considerably damaged.[1]

Afghan rulers

Under the reign of different kings, the mosque was repaired multiple times. During the 18th century, the frontal facade of the main iwan from the Timurid period collapsed and had to be rebuilt. An iwan is a vaulted room or hall open on one side. Other than that, only repairs were made to maintain the existing form.[1][12]

20th Century  Herat Friday Mosque, Courtyard view of sanctuary iwan: before (1916), and after renovation.[13] Herat Friday Mosque, Courtyard view of sanctuary iwan to the northwest, before (1916), and after renovation.[14]

After repair works in 1913, the mosque was extensively renovated in 1942/1943. The buildings directly adjacent to the mosque were destroyed in order to make the mosque a free-standing building. Among other things, a new east entrance with a high archway and two minarets was built. Minarets are towers from which people are called to prayer. The exterior walls were decorated with glazed tiles in the Timurid style.[1][15] For these works, a ceramic tile studio was established by UNESCO. This studio in the mosque also preserved all tile decorations and mosaics until 1979. The lettering was substituted by current calligraphers.[15]

The follow-up was a more complete reconstruction from 1951 to 1973 involving structural changes.[6] The square dome of the mausoleum of the Ghurid time was widely destroyed. It was replaced by an octagonal construction and integrated in the northern front. The wall to the east was also changed into an iwan with minarets on both sides. Also, the maqsura iwan, an enclosure reserved for the ruler, was made higher. The minarets next to it were heightened to 35 meters tall. Its porch was renewed. In addition, ten new minarets were added.[1][12] The facades in the courtyard were tiled with traditional mosaics in seven different colors. The floor was paved with light brown baked bricks. Due to all these works, not much of the original Ghuridic plasterwork or Timurid decoration was visible. The mosque's madrassa was moved to the northeast and given its own entrance. The last significant change was the creation of a park in front of the mosque.[1][6]

During the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989), only limited demolition struck the mosque. This was the case despite the abuse of the minarets by Soviet soldiers and huge tanks moving around the area. In 1986, one minaret hit by a rocket crashed into the courtyard. It killed many people and caused damage to the eastern wing. The Soviets sent experts for reparation, but works had not been finished until 1995. Some more traces like bullet holes could be found. The Ghurid portal was not severely damaged.[16]

In 1992, the replacing of the stone plaster in the courtyard started, financed by private sponsoring. A pattern of wide strips of white marble alternating with narrow stripes of black marble was laid. Due to failing donations, it could not be finished until 1998.[1][16] During the Taliban's rule in Herat between 1996 and 2001, the entry to the mosque was banned for all non-muslims, including UN staff.[16]

21st Century

In 2002, all roofs of the mosque were renovated due to a problem with excessive humidity in the interior. During the renovation of the facades in 2004/05, parts of the old Ghurid decoration were found. These parts are exhibited in frames in the wall covering.[1] In 2012, some fifty Afghan traders promised funds for the renovation of the mosque.[17]