Fatehpuri Masjid

Fathepuri Masjid stands at the very western end of the Chandni Chowk. Fatehpuri Masjid was built in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Emperor Shah Jahan's wives who was from Fatehpur Sikri. After the revolt of 1857, the Muslims were driven out of the city and the mosques became functionless. Several of them were auctioned out including the Fathepuri Masjid. Rai Lala Chunnamal purchased the mosque at a staggering sum of Rs. 19,000 Rai Lala Chunnamal, whose descendants still live in the Chunnamal haveli in Chandni Chowk, made a fortune during the revolt of 1857 by supplying provisions to the British. Strangely the mosque was not demolished and Rai Lala Chunnamal kept it under lock and key. During the first durbar of Delhi in 1877, the prohibition against Muslims entering (or living in) Delhi was lifted. The mosque was acquired by the British and made available to Muslims for prayers. Lala Chunnilal's family received an estate of four villages in exchange for the mosque. The mosque is built using red sandstone and has a fluted dome with mahapadma and kalash on the top. Flanked by minarets, the mosque has a traditional design with the prayer hall having seven-arched openings.

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