Indo Islamic Heritage
Masjid Lal Sarai is a local mosque located in the historical Lal Sarai area of Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Built in the early 18th century during the reign of Nawab Muhammad Khan Bangash (around 1713-1743), it forms part of the Mughal-era architectural heritage in the region. The mosque is situated in a modest urban setting and serves the local community.
Farrukhabad, a district in Uttar Pradesh, is steeped in Mughal and Nawabi history, founded in the early 18th century by Nawab Muhammad Khan Bangash, a Pathan chieftain who named the city after Emperor Farrukhsiyar. Among its historical Islamic sites is Masjid Lal Sarai, a local mosque tied to the Lal Sarai (also known as Lai Sarai or Red Sarai), a caravanserai built as part of the city's original infrastructure. The sarai, constructed by Nawab Muhammad Khan during his rule from 1713 to 1743, was one of several such halting places along key roads, designed to accommodate travelers and merchants. It featured a spacious courtyard and was adjoined by the Lal Darwaza (Red Gate), one of the city's original gates in the now-dilapidated ramparts.dc3de4 The mosque itself, described as a handsome structure towering above surrounding low mud houses, likely dates to the same period, integrating into the sarai's complex as a place of worship for locals and wayfarers. Restorations occurred in 1825 under British administration, preserving its functionality amid the region's shifting powers—from Mughal dominance to Bangash Nawabi rule and eventual British control post-1857 Mutiny. Though not as grand as Farrukhabad's central Jama Masjid (built by Farrukhsiyar around the same era), Masjid Lal Sarai exemplifies the blend of utility and Islamic architecture in smaller, local sites. It stands in a area that once bustled with trade along the Grand Trunk Road, now a quieter part of modern Farrukhabad with nearby facilities like schools and post offices. The site reflects the broader spread of Islamic heritage in Uttar Pradesh, where sarais and mosques supported the socio-economic fabric under Mughal patronage. Today, it remains a community mosque with a rating of 4.0 based on limited reviews, accessible in the Manhari locality near Lal Sarai. For visitors interested in historical exploration, it offers a glimpse into 18th-century Nawabi engineering, though it is modest and not a major tourist draw compared to larger shrines or mosques in the region.
Year of Built: Not Available
Address: 9HQP+874, Manhari, Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh 209625
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Farrukhabad
Pincode: 209625
Longitude: 79.511°E
Latitude: 27.40465°N