History of Moti Masjid – Delhi Fort

Built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzab in the year 1660, the Moti Masjid in Delhi inside the Red Fort, is a white marbled mosque, situated on the west of the Hammam—a place where Mughal emperors used to take bath, and is in close proximity with the Diwan-e-Khas.

Constructed with a cost of Rs. 1,60,000, the mosque has a main prayer hall which is divided into three arches, which are again sub divided into two aisles. The structure also consists of three domes, which were during its construction, covered with gilded copper. However, it is presumed that after the 1856 Indian Rebellion, the gilded copper was most probably lost.

The interiors of the mosque has slight resemblance with the renowned mosque in Mecca, and towards the east, there’s a big door that is adorned by the copper plated leaves. The interior floors have small carpets, for prayer purposes and there’s a small square-shaped fountain right at the center of the courtyard. The measurement of the courtyard is 40 feet by 30 feet.

The mosque is plain white from the exterior and still considered to be a beautiful tourist location. Aurangzeb’s son Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah I, built a small mosque with the same name for private prayers and offerings in Mehrauli, that kind of replicated the style of the Moti Masjid in Red Fort, Delhi.