Fatehpuri Masjid Information:

Variant Names :Fatehpuri Masjid
Location :    Delhi, India
Date : 1650
Century :     17th
Building Type : religious
Building Usage :mosque

Fatehpuri Masjid in Delhi : 

Fatehpuri Mosque or Fatehpuri masjid as it is popularly called in Delhi is on the opposite end of Red Fort across the Chandni Chowk. Fatehpuri Begum, one of Shah Jahan's wives, built Fatehpuri Masjid in 1650. The majestic structure is primarily built of red sandstone, typical of all the buildings of that era. This is one of the oldest surviving mosques in India that has only one dome. The later Mughal architecture encouraged multi-domed masjid.

Towering minarets from each side flank the central structure. The mosque is primarily built on the conservative Afghan design that has the prayer hall in the very middle and have seven-arched openings. Among the seven arches, the central arch is the highest. The only unique aspect of the mosque is the presence of both the single storied and double storied apartments, which break the harmony along the line. These apartments were earlier used as Madarsa or the Religious school. The 1857 mutiny saw bloodbath in old Delhi and the effect was seen on the masjid as well. Muslims were barred from entering old Delhi and Hindu Baniyas and Punjabis who were loyal to the British were bestowed with the major chunk of property. The British auctioned some parts of the mosque to a Hindu family. Later in 1877 it was restored to the Muslims at the Delhi Darbar when the British allowed the Muslims back in Old Delhi.

Historical Evidences of the Mosque:

The history of the mosque says that the Indian troops were posted here in the Fatehpuri Masjid, Delhi during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. It is also believed that during the Sepoy Mutiny the British sold some part of the mosque to a Hindu merchant, Lala Channa Mal. Later on the mosque again came into the hands of the Muslims in the year 1877. The mosque is a collection of the graves of Hazrat Nanoon Shah, Mufti Mohammad Mazhar, Maulana Muhammad Musharraf Ahmad, Dr. Muhammad Sayeed and Shah Jalal.

Architecture of the Mosque:

The Fatehpuri Masjid, Delhi is not a good example of the Mughal conventional architecture. The materials used to build the mosque are not of very good quality. The dome is a bit disproportionate compared to the whole structure. The dome is flanked by two minarets. The prayer hall is unique in itself. It has seven arched openings. The central arch is the highest one. There are two large domes attached with the central arch. The main dome is constructed with lime mortar and embedded with black and white strips.

The Fatehpuri Masjid, Delhi has three gates. Khari Baoli is in the north end gate and Katra Baryan is the south gate. The courtyard is made up of red sandstone representing a bit of Mughal architecture. The red sandstone pillars on either side of the mosque are a excellence in itself.

Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha is celebrated in a grand way in the Fatehpuri Masjid, Delhi. The mosque is open on all days. The place is on the heart of the city so it can be reached very easily. There are local buses, taxis and auto rickshaws which are available regularly. The nearest metro station is Delhi Main. So, the tourists can view this architectural excellence very conveniently. The different parts of the mosque are beautifully decorated and are a visual pleasure.

How to Reach:
 Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this sacred monument, which is located at the terminal point of Chandni Chowk, the heart of the old Delhi, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis.