Sunehri Masjid (Chandni Chowk)

The Sunehri Masjid (lit.'Golden Mosque') is an 18th-century mosque in Old Delhi. It was built by Mughal noble Roshan-ud-Daula, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. It is located near the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, once an imperial boulevard leading to the Red Fort.[citation needed]

Sunehri Masjid (Chandni Chowk)
Sunehri Masjid at Chandni Chowk, old Delhi
Religion
AffiliationIslam
DistrictCentral Delhi
StatusActive
Location
LocationDelhi
CountryIndia
Sunehri Masjid (Chandni Chowk) is located in Delhi
Sunehri Masjid (Chandni Chowk)
Shown within Delhi
Sunehri Masjid (Chandni Chowk) is located in India
Sunehri Masjid (Chandni Chowk)
Sunehri Masjid (Chandni Chowk) (India)
TerritoryDelhi
Geographic coordinates28°39′22″N 77°13′55″E / 28.656050°N 77.231887°E / 28.656050; 77.231887
Architecture
TypeMosque
StyleMughal
Completed1722
Dome(s)3

The mosque's original appearance has been altered as extensions to accommodate the faithful have been constructed. The mosque is also under threat from encroachment.[citation needed]

History

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Painting of Golden Mosque in the 1850s, by Ghulam Ali Khan

The Sunehri Masjid was built in the period 1721-1722 by Roshan-ud-Daula, a Mughal amir who was beginning to rise to power in the court of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. The mosque was dedicated to Roshan-ud-Daula's spiritual mentor, Shah Bhik.[1]

 
Sunehri Masjid in November 2023 after the newly placed walls covering the mosque.

In 1739, the Persian Nadir Shah invaded Delhi. Standing in the Sunehri Masjid, he ordered the plunder of Delhi, which resulted in an immense loss of life and damage to the city.[2]

In 1897, Islamic scholar Amin al-Din established Madrasa Aminia at the Sunehri Masjid, later on shifting it to Kashmiri Gate in 1917.[3]

Architecture

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Elevated above street level on a plinth, the Sunehri Masjid is reached by a flight of stairs. The mosque is topped by three bulbous, gilted domes, and features slender minarets. The facade of the mosque bears three arched entryways. The interior of the mosque is divided into three bays. Stucco decoration work appears in both the interior and exterior of the mosque, in the form of arabesques and floral motifs.[1][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b B., Asher, Catherine (1992). Architecture of Mughal India. Cambridge Univ. Pr. pp. 295–298. ISBN 0-521-26728-5. OCLC 260144059.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ B., Asher, Catherine (1992). Architecture of Mughal India. Cambridge Univ. Pr. p. 301. ISBN 0-521-26728-5. OCLC 260144059.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Jhabvala, C. S. H. (24 May 2012). Delhi: Phoenix City. Penguin Books India. ISBN 9788184754919.
  4. ^ Alfieri, Bianca Maria (2000). Islamic Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Lawrence King Publishing. p. 276. ISBN 9781856691895.
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