Masjid Mubarak Begum

Masjid Mubarak Begum is a red sandstone mosque in Old Delhi's Hauz Qazi area that rises with three domed sections marked by red and white bands. The structure spans two levels, with the upper floor containing three arched prayer chambers and the ground floor originally featuring shops.

The mosque was built in 1823 and owes its existence to Mubarak Begum, a former dancer who married the first British resident of Delhi. Her commission marked a moment when local and foreign influences intersected in the city's architecture.

The mosque was commissioned by a woman, standing as evidence of female involvement in religious building projects. Visitors see here a rare example of influence that women could exercise during that era.

Entry passes through arched gateways on the facade that lead to the upper prayer area where the full design is visible. It helps to allow extra time for the narrow lanes of the historic quarter when reaching the site, as navigation can be challenging.

A marble inscription above the central gate compares the mosque to the sky itself and calls it a second Jerusalem. This poetic statement blends local and universal religious ideas in a surprising way.