Fatehpuri Masjid
This 17th century Masjid is situated at the far end of Chandni Chowk leading from Red Fort. It was built in the year 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum one of the 14 wives of Shahjahan. It was the oldest Masjid in the city of Shahjahanabad which was started around 1640 by Shahjahan. The design and structure of the Masjid is similar to Juma Masjid with an almost similar square yard with entrances on three sides and a cupola near the main entrance and minars in the Corners.
After the Mutiny of 1857 the Britishers badly treated the Masjid and sold it to Lala Chunna Mal a leading Banker of 19th century Delhi. It was restored to Muslims in 1877 for regular worship. The antipathy against the Muslims after Mutiny helped the Hindus and Chunna Mal became an important figure in local Government. His 150 year old Haveli is also situated near by.
The area around Fatehpuri Masjid consists of a network of tiny lanes with a lot of wholesale and retail shops selling Spices and Dry fruits with head loaders, hand carts and cycle rickshaws zipping around. The aroma of the spices and dry fruits is inviting and you are taken back to an era of more than hundred years and old world charm which can only be experienced
No comments:
Post a Comment