Fatehpuri Masjid
Encyclopedia
Fatehpuri Masjid is a 17th-century mosque
located at the western end of the oldest street of Delhi, Chandni Chowk
. It thus counterbalances the Red Fort on the opposite end of Chandni Chowk. Fatehpuri Masjid was built in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan
's wives who was from Fatehpur
, and the mosque at Taj Mahal
is also named after her.
The central iwan
in the middle is flanked by three arches on each side.
in Chandni Chowk
), who preserved the mosque. Later in 1877 it was acquired by the government in exchange for four villages and was restored to the Muslims at the Delhi Durbar
when the British allowed the Muslims back in Old Delhi. A similar mosque built by the Akbarabadi Begum was destroyed by the British.
The Khari Baoli
, which is today Asia's largest spice market, gradually developed after the construction of the mosque.
Muslim festivals Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha are celebrated with great enthusiasm at the mosque.
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
located at the western end of the oldest street of Delhi, Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk , originally meaning moonlit square or market, is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, now in central north Delhi, India...
. It thus counterbalances the Red Fort on the opposite end of Chandni Chowk. Fatehpuri Masjid was built in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan, , Persian: شاه جهان) (January 5, 1592 – January 22, 1666) Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan, , Persian: شاه جهان) (January 5, 1592 – January 22, 1666) (Full title: His Imperial Majesty Al-Sultan al-'Azam wal Khaqan...
's wives who was from Fatehpur
Fatehpur
Fatehpur may refer to:Places in India*Punjab** Fatehpur Jattan, village in district Fatehgarh Sahib** Fatehpur Rayian, village in district Fatehgarh Sahib** Fatehpur Bhangala, village in district Rupnagar* Uttar Pradesh...
, and the mosque at Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
is also named after her.
Architecture
The mosque is built using red sandstone and has a fluted dome with mahapadma and kalash on the top. Flanked by minarets, the mosque has a traditional design with the prayer hall having seven-arched openings. The mosque has single and double-storeyed apartments on the sides.The central iwan
Iwan
An iwan is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. The formal gateway to the iwan is called pishtaq, a Persian term for a portal projecting from the facade of a building, usually decorated with calligraphy bands, glazed tilework, and...
in the middle is flanked by three arches on each side.
History
The British had auctioned the mosque after the 1857 war to Rai Lala Chunnamal for Rs. 19,000(whose descendants still live in the Chunnamal haveliChunnamal haveli
Rai Lala Chunnamal ki Haveli is the only well-preserved haveli in the walled city of old Delhi in the Chandni Chowk area.Lala Chunnamal and his family were Khatri merchants of brocade and textiles during the Mughal period...
in Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk , originally meaning moonlit square or market, is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, now in central north Delhi, India...
), who preserved the mosque. Later in 1877 it was acquired by the government in exchange for four villages and was restored to the Muslims at the Delhi Durbar
Delhi Durbar
The Delhi Durbar , meaning "Court of Delhi", was a mass assembly at Coronation Park, Delhi, India, to mark the coronation of a King and Queen of the United Kingdom. Also known as the Imperial Durbar, it was held three times, in 1877, 1903, and 1911, at the height of the British Empire. The 1911...
when the British allowed the Muslims back in Old Delhi. A similar mosque built by the Akbarabadi Begum was destroyed by the British.
The Khari Baoli
Khari Baoli
Khari Baoli is a street in Old Delhi, India known for its wholesale grocery and Asia’s largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of spices, nuts and herbs...
, which is today Asia's largest spice market, gradually developed after the construction of the mosque.
Muslim festivals Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha are celebrated with great enthusiasm at the mosque.