Islam is considered to be the second largest religion of India if we speak of followers. The people of this religion constitute approximately twelve percent of Delhi’s population. The Muslim population of Delhi is mainly scattered in Walled city which is also called Old Delhi. Henceforth many historical shrines and mosques are located in this region. There are many other shrines too which are located all across the city. The most interesting fact of Delhi is that it has blend of different cultures – Sikh, Muslim and Hindu and the people here are proud of it. The other fascinating thing is that Delhi is rid of all kinds of religious frenzies which are so fast turning into regular day phenomena across India.

Islam’s religious center is Mosque which is not just a place of worship but it imparts knowledge too. In Delhi, mosques are of great attraction and are visited by numerous devotees and hordes. These are impeccable mosques and forts in Delhi which not only display exceptional work of ancient Mughal Architecture but are epitome of precisely planned geometrical figures, eg. Humayun’s Tomb which is octagonal and is one special structure in history of our Indian architecture.

Having witnessed most of the Mughal rule, our capital city Delhi has seen the rule of all Muslim rulers especially the Sultanate period. All of the Muslim rulers built some stunning and memorable architecture which displays culture and art in the form of forts and mosques in Delhi. These are historical and exquisite mosques and are well known for their fine arts due to which visitors from different parts of the world visit these historic structures each year and pay homage.

Some popular mosques in Delhi

Jama Masjid in Delhi

Jama Masjid, one of the biggest mosques of India, is also called Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, meaning it is visible to the whole world. Located in close proximity to the Red fort in Delhi, this mosque was constructed by Shah Jahan, great Mughal Emperor. Drafted as the primary mosque of Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid of Delhi is made in complete red sandstone and has extensive usage of white marble. Mosque’s interiors are laid with black strips. The construction of this mosque took almost 6 years and the result is that this building stands elegant as ever. The building is built on elevated platform so that people from neighboring areas can see this masjid.

Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya

This dargah enshrines the renowned and known sufi saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. During his lifetime, a settlement originated here and it further inhabited to a place known as Nizamuddin. This dargah also entombs Amir Khusrau, who was a poet and a favorite disciple of the saint. This dargah was constructed by Muhammad Tughlaq and encloses the most significant and revered pilgrimages for the Muslims. Some other tombs which enshrine in Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya Dargah are Mirza Ghalib, a renowned poet, Jahan Ara Begum, daughter of Shah Jahan.

Chiragh-I-Delhi Dargah

This dargah is located in Chiragh, a village in Delhi. This township was constructed around the mosque gradually and slowly. This mosque entombs Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, who was also called Raushan Chiragh I Dili. A student of Hazrat Nizam ud din, he even succeeded the Hazrat as the main chief of the Chishti segment. This dargah is a 12 pillared chamber, which is enclosed within the perforated screens which further have tombs of Nasir ud din Mahmud. Here the chamber has 4 small domed towers at each corner and is surrounded by a plastered dome which rises from an octagonal drum.

Moth ki Masjid

This masjid is called moth ki masjid meaning a mosque which arises from lentil and at present it lies secluded and isolated. This dargah was constructed during Sikandar Lodi’s rule around five hundred years ago and has a story attached to its birth. It is said that one day Sikandar Lodhi fetched grain of moth before Wazir Miya Bohiya, his loyal minister, just as a reward for pleasure. The minster took these seeds and planted them year after year. Slowly these seeds grew and were sold for money, which was then used for construction of the mosque.

Qutab Bakhtiyar Kaki Tomb

The grave of Khwaza Qutab Bakhtiyar Kaki is situated in Mehrauli village which is just few kilometers away from Qutab Minar. He was mainly known as Qutab Sahib but had adopted the surname Kaki. Eligible successor of Khwaza Moinuddin Chisti of Ajmer, he was revered and acknowledged for his knowledge and piety. Born in Ush, now modern Iran, he visited India during the late twelfth century and resided here during the rule of Slave dynasty. The mosque is itself a place where people from different religions come and pay homage. It is considered to be a pilgrimage point for pilgrims of different religions. The custom demands that any pilgrim who genuinely believes in saint must make a wish and tie a thread close to the tomb.

Fatehpuri Masjid

Fatehpuri Masjid or Mosque is another popular mosque in Delhi which is adjacent to Red Fort near the Chandni Chowk. Fatehpuri Begum, wife of Shah Jahan constructed this masjid in 1650. The magical structure of this masjid is mainly constructed of red sandstone and displays architecture style of old ancient era. This masjid is one of the oldest existing mosque of India which has just one grave. Other Mughal architectures motivated multi domed mosques.