Fatehpuri Masjid

“Seven arches,” a child whispered, counting them on Fatehpuri Masjid. Fatehpuri Masjid stands at the western end of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. It’s a grand statement in red sandstone, a rival in size and beauty to the Jama Masjid. Commissioned in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Emperor Shah Jahan’s wives, the mosque’s name echoes her birthplace, Fatehpur Sikri. This mosque wasn’t just a place of worship. It became a symbol of resistance, a rallying point for those who opposed British rule after the 1857 uprising. The British, in an attempt to quell this spirit, auctioned off Fatehpuri Masjid. A Hindu businessman, Rai Lala Chunnamal, purchased it for Rs. 19,000. He didn’t destroy it, but repurposed it as a storage facility. Imagine the hushed prayer hall filled with goods, the courtyard echoing with the sounds of commerce instead of prayers. This wasn’t its fate for long though. In 1877, as the first Delhi Durbar approached, the British government realized the importance of restoring Fatehpuri Masjid to the Muslim community. They exchanged four villages with Chunnamal to reclaim the mosque, a gesture of reconciliation. Today, Fatehpuri Masjid stands as a testament to the resilience of faith. It serves not only as a place of worship but also as an educational center for local children. The mosque’s seven-arched façade and fluted dome continue to grace Chandni Chowk. They whisper stories of royal patronage, colonial struggles, and the enduring spirit of Delhi.