The Fatehpuri Masjid was the last masjid that I visited in Delhi last month before relocating to home town Pune. Reaching here I found that the entrance was all encroached by various vendors but inside is a very different world - peaceful and huge.
This Masjid is a replica of the Jamia Masjid Old Delhi and is more than 350 years old. It is just beside the huge and old marketplace of Delhi called Khari Baoli. The Masjid was built by Fatehpuri Begum, one of the many wives of the Mughal king Shah Jahan.
The masjid was not at all crowded when I visited since it was neither Friday nor prayer time.
According to the locals, the mosque was sold off by the British after the First War of Independence in 1857. It was purchased for INR 19,000 by a Hindu merchant Rai Lala ChunnaMal since the Mughals were reduced down to minions at that time.
The merchant however neither destroyed nor misused the Masjid and his descendants still live in the nearby ChunnaMal Haveli mansion near the mosque. When Muslims of Delhi requested the Mosque back from the Hindu merchant, he happily parted from his rights in lieu of a piece of land in the faraway Punjab province. This was in 1877.
The Waju Khana is in the center and is made of marble. This is the place to wash hands and feet before prayers.
There are also as many as 7 Mihrabs that are the places to offer prayers.
All are beautifully decorated in marble and red sandstone - a signature combo of the Mughals.
Further, the volunteering local guides informed that there are also tombs or Mazars of Sufi poets like Nanoon Shah and Hazarat Jalal. Sufi poets were famous for their singing and dancing on one side and prompting the reckless killing of non-believers. The Mughal Emporer Akbar famously killed 30,000 unarmed civilians after his conquest of the Chittorgarh Fort which was against the norms of those days.
Akbar was an ardent follower of Salim Chisti of Fatehpur and even named his first child after him - the famous Prince Salim who rebelled against him for a court-dancer Anarkali. Peeling off human skin while they were still breathing was one of the famous hobbies of Prince Salim. The Indian Film Salim-Anarkali is based on this love story.
I saw this canopy structure which was also seen in the Jama Masjid of Delhi and a popular photo spot but do not know what it is called or what it was meant for originally during the medieval ages or even now.
How to Reach
I reached the masjid from the Red Fort side on a foot-pedaled rickshaw for INR 30.
The nearest metro stations are Chawri Bazar and Chandani Chowk metros stations - both on the Yellow line.
Other Attractions Nearby
My Impressions
The Fatehpuri Masjid is a beautiful and soul-soothing place. However, it needs some immediate repairs and to restore certain parts that are falling apart especially near the ceiling.
One of the Minarets has also inclined though I think if they leave it like that it may as well become famous like the leaning tower of Pisa.
I could see that the locals have started collecting donations for the repairs though I think that since the government is already collecting tax from me I should not donate extra for the repairs.
Instead, I chose not to bargain from the foot-pedaled rickshaw driver who asked me a mere INR 30 to reach the place.
Specialties Nearby
The Amritsari Lassi is a must-try.
This shop is just outside the mosque across the street.
Other Amusements
Outside the mosque and on the streets is this old and well-preserved handpump. I was delighted to see an operation hand pump after several decades
Accessibility Features
The entrance to the mosque is accessible for a wheelchair.
Ramp Access.
A wheelchair-accessible Entrance.
A wheelchair-accessible Parking.
A wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.
What Else To Do In Delhi
While you are in Delhi, these are the top-recommended places:
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take clear photos since no one was present during Covid-19 times.