Sunehri Masjid, built in 1721, is situated at Chandni Chowk, near the Red Fort. It was built by Roshan-ud-Daula Zafar Khan during the reign of Mughal King Muhammad Shah.
Since the three domes and turrets of the mosque were coated with gold, it was given the name of Sunehri Masjid or Golden Mosque.
According to the Islamic calendar, it was built in the 1134 Hijri, during the Reign of Sultan Mohammad Shah. It is hypothetical that the Persian invaders Nadir Shah have sat on the veranda for hours on 11th March 1739 – watching his soldiers plunder the golden bazaars of Chandni Chowk supplementary stylish Sunhari Masjid of Delhi outside the Delhi gate stands the Sunhari Masjid. It is a small three-domed arrangement with two minarets.
Situated at the heart of Chandni chowk just next to Gurudwara and not to be confused with Sunheri Masjid outside Red fort this historical Mosque stands in the heart of Chandni Chowk among the cluster of shops and hustle bustle of people. I have been watching Sunheri Masjid rot in last many years. Many people even don’t know the historical significance of this mosque which is now completely dwarfed by the splendid Gurudwara that stands next to it in Chandni Chowk.
Few people are aware that it was at this Mosque where the Persian Invader Nadir Shah stood and ordered the Massacre or Genocide of the Delhi Residents after his invasion of Delhi. He stood there drawing his Sword on the roof as the Victorious Iranian Soldiers went on a killing spree. The beleaguered Mughal King of that time Muhammad Shah also known as Rangeela fell at Nadir Shah’s feet and begged for mercy its only then that Nadir Shah withdrew his sword and stopped the Massacre.
When I visited this mosque I found hardly a handful of Namazi’s present in the Mosque. I went towards the balcony facing the Chandni Chowk probably the same place where Nadir Shah once stood. The Imam of the mosque came towards me a bit vexed by my actions. It’s only when I explained that I was a Muslim and a tourist that he settled down. I asked him if he was aware of the significance of the place that I was standing. To my utter disbelief he drew blank. He had no clue of the historical significance of the mosque that he was preaching and nor did the few Namazis that were present there had any knowledge about it. They were amazed when I shared information about the mosque.
The domes of Sunheri Masjid or Golden Mosque according to legends used to have Golden Coat on them but today they stand in complete lack luster. I asked the imam why hasn’t the Mosque been painted for years and what about its Golden Dome? Imam told me that the Wakf Board has not bothered to spend a penny for the upkeep of the Mosque in many years so shining Golden Domes was a distant dream. He also went to explain the lack of attendance at this mosque, He told that most of the Muslims of this area had moved at the time of Partition and today there are hardly any Muslims in this area. The very few Muslims that come to Pray are the Migrant workers though interestingly this mosque is in Old Delhi and not too far away from Jama Masjid.
It’s not just this Sunheri Masjid there are countless other such monuments and mosques that are under the authority of Delhi Wakf Board and others under archaeological survey of india yet they stand in a poor condition. We can just hope and pray that somebody restores these Beautiful Monument to its original glory
Author: Sameer Khan can be contacted on Twitter handle @Samkhan999
sameerspen 
Excellent piece Sameer! Can’t believe how dilapidated the mosque and domes are now, what a shame! Always learn a lot from your posts, you’re a great historian!
Thank you so much for your appreciation
This is a beautiful piece Sameer. Loved it. I go to Sees Ganj Gurudwaraoften and now that the wall between this mosque and gurudwara has been taken down, you get an amazing view of Mosque from the gurudwara parking entrance.
It is really sad that people have forgot the painful history of this place.
Yes Brother Vikram, I hope there is no wall at all and Pilgrims can visit both Holy Places. By the way, When I visit Delhi next time. I wish to do some seva at the Gurudwara.
Most welcome. Infact, I will take you to two gurudwaras in Delhi, which were originally Mughal Structures and were later converted to Gurudwaras because of episodes from Sikh History. The old structure still exists in there. The two gurudwaras are: 1. Moti Bagh (associated with 10th Guru) and 2. Gurudwara Baba Banda Bahadur, Mehrauli (It was Gateway of Dargah and now a gurudwara)
It will be a pleasure Vikram. I will surely love to visit the Gurudwara and do some Seva