Dhai Seedhi ki Masjid

It was under the dominion of Nawab Dost Mohammad Khan that the city of Bhopal raised from a small rural community to a massively fortified army cantonment. The fort of Fatehgarh was constructed to demonstrate the world the supremacy of “Nawabi” rule in Bhopal. However, it was a time when the city was in turmoil and a battle for the command of the city was evident. Hundreds of soldiers guarded the walls of the fort day and night for the protection of the realm. The men required courage to put their lives at risk but courage comes only by the faith in God. And thus, the foundation of the first mosque of the Bhopal city was laid – Dhai Seedhi ki Masjid.

The Dhai Seedhi Ki Masjid was built on the top portion of one of the towers of the Fatehgarh fort by the Nawab Dost Mohammad. The mosque gets its name from the distinctive stairs leading to its prayer hall. At a time a few numbers of patrolling soldiers used to perform Namaz at this mosque while the others watched over the city vigilantly. Fatehgarh fort, the symbol of the Nawabi power has now turned to ashes but this mosque, the symbol of people’s faith in lord almighty still prevails.

Having a prayer hall of almost a small room in size, it is one of the smallest mosques in the whole wide world.

It’s ironic that one of the biggest mosques in Asia, the Taj-Ul-Masjid, stands tall right in front of it. One is rudimentary while other the example of royalty, but both serves the same purpose, imparting people with the courage they seek, for going on with their lives.