Fatehpuri Masjid, Western Gate, Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Agra tour without visiting Taj Mahal is just like a body without soul. I had visited Taj Mahal many times as it’s one of my favourite Heritage Site. Now I am approaching to the Grand Gate but I was attracted by a Mosque known as Fatehpuri Masjid.
Visitors may confuse as one Grand Fatehpuri Masjid is situated at the extreme end of Chandani Chowk, Delhi. Yes, both the mosques were built by Fatehpuri Begum according to the Archaeological Survey of India she was also the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
This beautiful small mosque is located close to the Western Gate of Taj Mahal and built on first floor as number of of rooms behind the verandahs in the Eastern and Southern sides. These verandahs are serving as covered corridors and indented arches are supported by decorated red Sandstone pillars. Arches are landed on the moulded capitals and lintels, cornice mouldings and curved frieze and brackets which are supporting the roof stone screens as railings. Ground floor at the eastern side’s corners two octagonal towers and staircase is leading to first floor from South East corner. Facade is quite symmetrical to the Fatehpuri Masjid Delhi. Centre is the vaulted Iwan and three three archways either side to access the main prayer hall and wings from the Eastern court. Superstructure is supported by red sandstone pillars and indented arches. These pillars are having decorated rectangular bases and octagonal shafts above which arches are landed. Just at the back of Iwan’s top a magnificent dome which seems to be Onion shape crowned with lotus petals and elongated finial at the centre. Iwan is decorated with plain white marble’s band and arch is also having the white marble’s cladding. Iwan’s corners are flanked with red Sandstone thin decorated minarets. And above the roof carved stone crests as parapet. All the four corners of the first floor structure are having octagonal towers which are crowned with octagonal canopies or Kiosks. Its architecture and workmanship is spectacular. Open terrace serves as Courtyard having the facility of ablution for the devotees and it’s about a yard below the main prayer hall. Main Mihrab, Minbar, and corridors or wings are magnificent.
Facing to the East from the terrace an octagonal based white marble’s dome surrounded by 24 thin decorated minarets, decorated stone parapet, a central chamber which is the grave chamber and crowned by the white marble’s dome, surrounded by cusped red stone arched Veranda having a beautiful char Bagh garden and pavilions are part of the Fatehpuri Begum’s tomb. This tomb remain closed but mosque is accessible to the visitors and devotees for prayers.
This magnificent architectural marvel is hidden from the sight of tourists and visitors are failing to insist Archaeological Department to open the tomb for the tourists as it’s our heritage. It’s a major tourists attraction and architecture lovers will enjoy this mosque which is spectacular as much use of red sandstone in its construction places it in the list of an attractive monuments.
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