Fatehpuri Masjid, Mughal mosque in Chandni Chowk, India
Fatehpuri Masjid is a red sandstone mosque with colonnaded sides framing a central courtyard that contains a white marble water basin. The layout provides sheltered arcades along the edges where worshippers pause before entering the main prayer hall.
The mosque was founded in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, emerging as a significant shrine in the growing Chandni Chowk district. Following the 1857 Rebellion, the building changed hands through sale, reflecting the upheaval of that era.
The mosque remains a living place of prayer and learning where the community gathers daily for worship. Visitors can observe how people move through the courtyards in a rhythm tied to Islamic devotional practices.
The mosque is positioned at the western end of Chandni Chowk and welcomes visitors during non-prayer hours while requesting modest dress. Visiting in early morning or late afternoon hours allows for easier exploration when prayer activities are less frequent.
After British authorities auctioned the mosque, the Chunnamal family purchased it, and their descendants continue to live in the adjoining Chunnamal Haveli residence. This intertwining of family continuity with religious space reveals how local communities adapted to major historical shifts.
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