Monuments | cyberfair2017

The mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb at the Red Fort complex in Delhi, India, from 1659-1660 for his personal use. The mosque was also used by the ladies of the Zenana. The mosque was constructed at a cost of Rs. 160,000.

The prayer hall has three arches, and it is divided into two aisles. It is surmounted with three bulbous domes, which were originally covered in gilded copper. The gilded copper was probably lost after the Indian rebellion of 1857.

moti masjid

The outer walls are oriented in symmetry with the outer walls of the fort, while the inner walls are at a slightly different orientation to align with the location of Mecca.The eastern door is provided with copper-plated leaves.

The mosque is plastered in white on the outside. Inside is the white marble courtyard and a prayer hall, which stands on a higher level than the courtyard. The floor of the prayer-hall is inlaid with outlines of small carpets for prayers (musalla) in black marble. In the middle of the courtyard is a small, square ablution fountain. The courtyard measures 40 x 35 feet.

Badshahi Mosque

Aurangzeb's Badshahi mosque also reveals ornateness in his architectural style. Adjoining the Lahore Fort, the Badshahi mosque remains the largest mosque in the subcontinent. An inscription over the east entrance gate indicates that it was built in 1673-74 by Aurangzeb under the supervision of Fidai Khan Koka, the emperor's foster brother. It is proved thus yet again in a repeated manner that, just like his ancestors, Aurangzeb could not just dodge Lahore and stay their importance onto Delhi and Agra only. In fact, the bulk of Mughal architecture during Aurangzeb was based in Lahore itself. However, present times in the world have constrained such brilliant architectural splendours into geographical divisions between India and Pakistan, hugely unlike in Mughal Indian era.