20 Amazing Masjids Built During The Mughal Empire

Mughal Empire was one of the most powerful entities of its days. At its peak, the Mughal Empire encompassed nearly the whole of South Asia, including majority of present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, as well as certain parts of Afghanistan, among others.

The Mughals, however, were not just a politically powerful ruling class. Instead, the Empire saw great progress and growth in all spheres, including culture, social life, as well as artistic and architectural developments. After all, who can forget the Taj Mahal, which has become famous as the symbol of love? 

In terms of architecture, Mughal rulers did not lag behind when it came to construction and development of masjids either. In fact, some of the most beautiful and spacious masjids of the region were constructed during the reign of the Mughals, and most of these masjids continue to be in use even to this day, Alhamdulillah!

In this post, I have put together 20 of the most impressive masjids from the days of the Mughal Empire, appearing in chronological order (such that the oldest masjid comes first, followed by the second-oldest, and so on).

1. Kabuli Bagh Masjid, Panipat (India)

• Built in 1527 CE.
• Commissioned by the first Mughal Emperor Babur.
• Named after Kabuli Begum, Emperor Babur’s wife.

2. Babri Masjid, Ayodhya (India)

• Built in 1528-29 CE by General Mir Baqi.
• During the reign of Emperor Babur (named after Babur himself).
• Sadly, on 06 December 1992, this masjid was martyred by Hindu extremists.

3. Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid, Delhi (India)

• Built in 1541 CE.
• Its construction was started by the second Mughal Emperor Humayun.
• Located inside the premises of the Purana Qila (Old Fort) in Delhi.

4. Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra (India)

• Completed in 1571-75 CE.
• Built during the reign of Emperor Akbar.
• The Buland Darwaza of Fatehpur Sikri and the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti are also a part of the masjid complex.

5. Mahabat Khan Masjid, Peshawar (Pakistan)

• Built in 1630 CE.
• Commissioned during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• It is named after the then-Governor of Peshawar, Nawab Mahabat Khan.

6. Moti Masjid, Lahore (Pakistan)

• Built in 1630 CE.
• During the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• This masjid is located inside the Lahore Fort.

7. Nagina Masjid, Agra (India)

• Built during 1631-40 CE.
• Built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his personal use.
• It is located inside the Agra Fort.

8. Taj Mahal Masjid, Agra (India)

• Built during 1631-48 CE.
• During the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• This masjid is built on a raised platform on the western side of the main complex of the Taj Mahal.

9. Wazir Khan Masjid, Lahore (Pakistan)

• Its construction started somewhere around 1634-35 CE.
• Built during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• Built by Hakim Shaikh Ilm ad-Din Ansari, then-Governor of Lahore. He was commonly known as Wazir Khan.

10. Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah, Dhaka (Bangladesh)

• Built in 1640 CE.
• During the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• An urban open space complex; also known as Mughal Eidgah.

11. Jama Masjid, Delhi (India)

• Built in 1644-1656 CE.
• During the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• It is located opposite the Red Fort. 
• Originally named Masjid Jahan Numah, it is commonly known as Jama Masjid of Delhi.

12. Shah Jahan Masjid, Thatta (Pakistan)

• Built in 1647 CE.
• During the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.

13.  Moti Masjid, Agra (India)

• Built during 1648-54 CE.
• During the rule of Emperor Shah Jahan.
• It is located inside the Agra Fort.

14. The Great Masjid of Aurangzeb, Varanasi (India)

• Built in 1664 CE.
• During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
• It is also locally known as Gyanvyapi Masjid.

15.  Badshahi Masjid, Lahore (Pakistan)

• Constructed between 1671 and 1673 CE.
• Commissioned by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
• This masjid is located opposite to the Lahore Fort.

16.  Lalbagh Fort Masjid, Dhaka (Bangladesh)

• Built in 1678 CE.
• Muhammad Azam, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, began its construction during his tenure as the Viceroy of Bengal.

17.  Zeenat-ul-Masjid, Delhi (India)

• Built in 1710 CE.
• Commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb’s daughter, Princess Zinat-un-Nisa.
• Located on the banks of river Yamuna, the name of this masjid translates to “The Ornament Among Masjids”.

18. Sunehri Masjid, Delhi (India)

• Built in 1747-51 CE.
• During the reign of 15th Mughal Emperor, Ahmad Shah Bahadur.
• Located near the Red Fort, Delhi.

19. Sunehri Masjid, Lahore (Pakistan)

• Built in 1749-53 CE.
• Designed and commissioned by Nawab Syed Bhikari Khan, the then-Deputy Governor of Lahore.

20. Noyabaad Masjid, Dinajpur (Bangladesh)

• Constructed in 1793 CE.
• During the reign of Emperor Shah Alam II.

And that concludes this roundup of some of the most impressive masjids from the Mughal Era. Need more? Check out other such articles about masjids around the world.

Image Sources (in order of appearance):- Haryana Tourism | Sound Vision | Robin’s Blog | Travel Dhoom | US Embassy Pakistan | Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons | Reji | US Embassy Pakistan | Wikimedia Commons | India Maps | dLift.JP | Photo Bucket | Paul Simpson | LUMS | World Tourism Info | SarsonkeKhet | Wikimedia Commons | Heritage | Wikimedia Commons