Moti Masjid (Agra Fort)

19th-century painting of the Moti Masjid by Vasily Vereshchagin

The Moti Masjid (Urdu: موتی مسجد‎, translation: Pearl Mosque) in Agra was built by Shah Jahan. During the rule of Shah Jahan the Mughal emperor, numerous architectural wonders were built. Most famous of them being the Taj Mahal. Moti Masjid earned the epithet Pearl Mosque for it shined like a pearl. It is held that this mosque was constructed by Shah Jahan for his members of royal court.

Architecture

Plan
Exterior view Moti Masjid, Agra.

It stands on ground that slopes from east to west to the north of Diwan-i-Aam complex in Agra Fort. The courtyard of the Moti Masjid has side arcades and arched recessions and the main sanctuary facade beyond. The sanctuary is roofed with three bulbous domes built of light white marble and stand on the red sandstone walls. There are a series of Hindu-style domed kiosks along the parapet. There are seven bays that are divided into aisles which are supported by piers and lobed arches. The Moti Masjid boasts of extensive white marble facing, a typical stylistic feature of architecture during the reign of Shah Jahan.

This masjid was constructed at a cost of 2 lakh and 60 thousand rupees and took four years to build. According to Sant Nihal Singh, "It struggles of the soul to soar above worldly entanglements."

See also

Coordinates: 27°10′49″N 78°01′18″E / 27.180413°N 78.021742°E / 27.180413; 78.021742

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