The city of Bhopal is often called the city of mosques due to the presence of a number of historical mosques and monuments within its walls. One such mosque, relatively smaller in size but not less important is the Moti Masjid. Built by Sikander Begum in the year 1860, the beautiful Moti Masjid is an important historical landmark of the Muslims in Bhopal. The architectural design of the Moti Masjid has a striking resemblance to the famous Jama Masjid in Delhi.
About Moti Masjid Bhopal :
The Moti Masjid was an important landmark of Bhopal, and was built in 1860 by Sikandar Jehan Begum, Qudisiya Begum’s daughter. Sikandar Begum was fairly unconventional compared to Muslim women of her time – she usually dressed like a man and went out riding without a veil, often with a dagger tucked under her belt.
Bhopal came to be known as the domain of the relatively liberated, even progressive women, and it was Sikandar Begum who set the trend. The Begum was an enthusiastic reformer, open to modern ideas.She abolished slavery and built roads, bridges and beautiful monuments like the Moti Masjid. The mosque has a marble-white façade with two small cupolas atop it, and it has two huge black minarets on either side of it.
History of Moti Masjid Bhopal :
Behind the history of Moti Masjid lies the history of one of the most significant characters in the history of Muslim women in India, Sikander Begum. Being a relatively liberated and progressive woman compared to the time in which she lived, Sikander Begum had built roads, bridges and a number of graceful and elegant monuments such as the Moti Masjid in Bhopal .The Moti Masjid was built in 1860 and since then it is one of the most significant landmarks in Madhya Pradesh.
Architecture of Moti Masjid Bhopal :
Standing majestically in brick red colour, this mosque features a white marble façade with two small cupolas on the top. On either side of the main building is a dark red tower adorned with bright golden spikes. Considered to be the gate to heaven on earth, these beautiful minarets are used for the call to prayer for the faithful followers of Islam.
Attraction of Moti Masjid Bhopal :
This shrine attracts loads of tourists from around the world because of its architectural design and beautiful carving on red stone. Though this mosque is smaller in size as compared to the Taj-ul-Masajid and Jama Masjid of Bhopal but tourists do get amazed by the striking red towers and golden spikes on them. The over all structure is elevated from the ground level and constructed with stone. The main prayer hall is constructed of glittering white marble because of which this mosque is called Moti Masjid meaning Pearl Mosque.
How to reach Moti Masjid in Bhopal :
Bhopal can be easily reached by regular flights and trains from different important cities such as Delhi, Gwallior, Mumbai and Indore. There are also daily buses to Bhopal that take the tourists to this walled city. Moti Masjid inside the city premises of Bhopal can be easily reached by any transport, local or private.