The Sunehri Masjid (Urdu: سنہری مسجد (چاندنی چوک), lit. 'Golden Mosque') is an 18th-century mosque in the Chandni Chowk neighbourhood of Old Delhi, India. It was built by Mughal noble Roshan-ud-Daula, during the reign of 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]
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
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]: 295–298
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.[1]: 301
In 1897, Islamic scholar Amin al-Din established Madrasa Aminia at the Sunehri Masjid, later on shifting it to Kashmiri Gate in 1917.[2]
Architecture
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 façade 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]: 295–298 [3]
Gallery
-
1850s painting of the mosque, by Ghulam Ali Khan
-
The mosque in 2022, after the newly placed walls were installed
See also
References
- ^ a b c Asher, Catherine B. (1992). Architecture of Mughal India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-26728-5. OCLC 260144059.
- ^ Jhabvala, C. S. H. (24 May 2012). Delhi: Phoenix City. Penguin Books India. p. 45. ISBN 9788184754919.
- ^ Alfieri, Bianca Maria (2000). Islamic Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Lawrence King Publishing. p. 276. ISBN 9781856691895.
External links
Media related to Shahi Sunehri Mosque (Chandni Chowk) at Wikimedia Commons
You must be logged in to post a comment.