Sunehri Masjid, or the Golden Mosque, is a small 18th-century mosque located at the Delhi Gate of the Red Fort in Old Delhi. This historical structure from the Mughal era often remains in the shadow of its magnificent neighbor but represents an independent point of interest for connoisseurs of history and architecture.
History of Sunehri Masjid
The mosque was built between 1747 and 1751 by order of Qudsia Begum — the mother of Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur. The construction was carried out for the court nobleman Nawab Bahadur Javed Khan, who wielded great influence at court and was killed shortly after the construction. Qudsia Begum, known for her interest in architecture, personally supervised the construction of the mosque.
The building received the name "Golden Mosque" thanks to its three domes, which were originally covered with gilded copper plates. In 1852, the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II carried out a restoration, replacing the damaged copper plates with sandstone ones, but tried to preserve the golden hue.
A curious legend is associated with Sunehri Masjid. Nawab Ahmad Bakhsh Khan, the father of Nawab of Firozpur, repaired the mosque for charitable purposes. Soon after, he was attacked by an enraged elephant. Fleeing from death, the nawab and his son took refuge inside this mosque, which saved their lives.
Architecture of Sunehri Masjid
The building is constructed from bassi jung — a light salmon-colored stone, which was rarely used for the construction of mosques, giving it a unique and picturesque appearance. The mosque has three domes and two minarets. An inscription containing information about the builder and the date of construction is preserved on the central arch.
Unlike the grand imperial mosques, Sunehri Masjid is distinguished by its chamber-like dimensions and modest elegance. It remains an active mosque, where prayers are held five times a day, including Friday and holiday prayers.
Practical Information for Visitors
Sunehri Masjid is located at the southwestern corner of the Delhi Gate of the Red Fort, opposite Netaji Subhash Park and near a large parking lot. It is essentially the first landmark you will see when approaching the Red Fort from the Delhi Gate side. The mosque is under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India and is a monument of national importance.
There is another Sunehri Masjid (Golden Mosque) in Old Delhi, in the Chandni Chowk area. Both mosques deserve attention, but are located in different places. The second Sunehri Masjid is located in the bustling Chandni Chowk area, on the roof of the shopping arcades, and was built in 1721 by Roshanar Begum. From that mosque, Emperor Nadir Shah watched the massacre in 1739, and from there in 1857 British troops shelled the Red Fort. Both mosques have golden domes and similar names, but their history, atmosphere and location are radically different.
When visiting, it is necessary to observe the rules of the mosque: remove shoes before entering, dress modestly and do not disturb those praying. The best time to visit is morning, when the mosque is flooded with sunlight and there are fewer visitors. Viewing the mosque will take no more than 15–20 minutes and will be a good addition to visiting the Red Fort.
