Quila-i-Kuhna Mosque — Attraction in New Delhi

Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque (Mosque of the Old Fort) is a mosque located inside the premises of Purana Qila (Old Fort) in Delhi, the capital of India.

After Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun, he occupied Purana Qila. There, he built the mosque for his private use, which became a "symbol of his royal aspiration".The mosque is believed to have been constructed in 1541 CE. The mosque is located inside Sher Shah Suri's fort, Purana Qila, which became his fortification after he won Delhi. It is one of the structures beside the Sher Mandal (which is attributed as Humayun's library) present in the fort.The fort is located near the Delhi zoo.

The mosque's history is derived from various accounts of contemporary historians. The Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi, written by Abbas Sarwani, says that Sher Shah Suri built the mosque in 1540, from "gold, lapis lazuli" and other precious stones. He is said to have built the mosque to "revive" the city's status "as a major city". Historian MC Joshi argues that although Sher Shah completed the mosque, it was originally "designed" and its construction was started by Humayun. Joshi believes that Sher Shah built the upper part of the mosque which included the dome. The marble works of the exterior walls could be attributed to his son Akbar, because the geometric works are of his time and not of pre-Akbar era. The use of half-dome, pointed arches represents "A strong Mughal association".Humayun is credited with "introducing pietra dura" works in the liwan and mihrab. The mosque is built in the Afghan style of a congregational mosque. It is a symbol of the architectural tradition of "a five bay mosque", a concept which was developed during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty times. The mosque lacks any inscription. Its length and breadth is 51 metres (167 ft) and 13.5 metres (44 ft), respectively. It has a height of 20 metres (66 ft) (which includes the dome). The mosque was built by "core masonry" with stone rubble "bonded with lime mortar". Blocks of quartzite, marble and red sandstone were also used in the construction process. The internal rectilinear hall is laterally divided by five arches. The external facade comprises the same number of arches. The central arch is sunken "in an arched recess" which is contained within a rectangular frontage called liwan.The mosque was originally intended to be constructed from marble but as it ran out of supply, red sandstone...

The Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, meaning "Mosque of the Old Fort," is a striking example of Mughal architecture. Constructed by Sher Shah Suri in 1541, it stands as a testament to his dynasty's architectural prowess. The mosque's exterior showcases a beautiful blend of red sandstone and marble, and its imposing archways provide a grand entrance to the prayer hall. ​Upon entering, the detailed ornamentation is a visual feast. The mihrabs, or prayer niches, are especially noteworthy, intricately decorated with patterns, calligraphy, and geometric designs. These designs are a perfect fusion of Persian and Indian styles, showcasing the rich cultural exchange of the era. The use of multicolored stones and tile work adds to the mosque's magnificent aesthetic. ​The prayer hall itself is spacious, with five magnificent arches that lead into the main area. Flanking the central hall, smaller chambers once provided space for the royal family to pray. To the right of the mosque is a beautiful water tank for ablution, a vital part of the daily prayer ritual. Its placement is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. ​Visiting this mosque is a truly immersive experience. It's not just a structure but a historical document etched in stone, showcasing the grandeur of the Suri dynasty and their significant contributions to Delhi's architectural landscape. It is a must-see for anyone interested in history and...

This five-arched mosque was built by Sher Shah Suri in about 1541 CE, when he had taken over Dinpanah after Humayun was ousted from Hindustan.

The path from the Bada Darwaa, the main entrance to Purana Qila, leads to the back of the mosque, which looks more like a daunting fortress than a mosque, but once you come around to the front, you can really admire the mosque, which is beautifully decorated with carved red sandstone and white marble, as well as inlay work in different colours of marble, especially white and black. It’s not extremely intricate or ornate carving or inlay, but the restraint itself is beautiful.

The mosque is no longer in use, so you can go in without needing to cover your head or take off footwear. The mihrabs (arches marking the direction of prayer, i.e, west) are lovely, and there is some fine tilework in bleu, green, and ochre on the domed ceiling of the main central arch. The large empty hauz (water tank) outside would have held clean water for ritual ablutions, but...