Sunehri Masjid: The Golden Mosque and Udham Bai

 

Sunehri Masjid, located outside the Delhi Gate of the Red Fort, Delhi.

Udham Bai later known as Qudsia Begum was first introduced as a dancer in Mughal Mughal court and soon she won everyone's heart including the 13th Mughal Emperor, Muhammad Shah. She was married to Muhammad Shah they both had a son Ahmad Shah Bahadur who became the 14th Mughal Emperor in 1748 after the death of his father. As a widow, she took the title, Qudsia Begum. She was an administrator and served as de facto regent of India from 1748 to 1754. 

Qudsia Begum was known for her enthusiasm and keen interest in architecture best known for the palace and garden complex, Qudsia Bagh on the banks of Yamuna, although that one no longer exists. 

In 1750-51, She constructed a mosque called Sunehri Masjid also known as The Golden Mosque for Nawab Bahadur Javed Khan, a chief eunuch of the royal household. 

The Entrance Gate outside the Mosque 

The Sunehri Masjid is located outside the Delhi Gate of the Red Fort, Delhi. It's a three-domed mosque, which was originally gilt with copper and other parts with a light salmon-colored stone from which it derives its name. The mosque has a main prayer hall and two tall tall minarets on the front and two small ones at the back. The elevated foundation upon which the mosque is based has a beautiful entrance gate. 

In 1852, Bahadur Shah II repaired the mosque by replacing the damaged copper plates with sandstone. 

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