Masjid Akhonji was a historic mosque located in the Mehrauli area of Delhi, India. Estimated to be around 600-700 years old.[1] The mosque was a vital religious and cultural site in the area until its demolition in January 2024.[2][3][4]
The exact date of the mosque's construction is uncertain, though it is widely believed to have been built during the Sultanate period, possibly under the reign of Razia Sultana or later rulers. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) listed the mosque in a 1920 catalog of historical monuments. Known for its modest design, the mosque had a three-arched entrance, carved stone pillars, and rubble masonry walls plastered for protection.[5]
On January 30, 2024, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) demolished Masjid Akhonji. The demolition also included a madrasa and a graveyard adjacent to the mosque. The DDA claimed that the structures were encroachments on public land.[6][2][7]
On February 5, 2024, the Delhi High Court intervened after the January 30 demolition of Masjid Akhonji. The court directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to maintain the status quo on the land where the mosque stood. The mosque's demolition was criticized by the Delhi Waqf Board, which claimed that the action was conducted irreverently, with records and religious texts destroyed, and the mosque's imam left homeless. The court's ruling applies only to the specific land where the mosque existed, not the surrounding areas[4][5]
The mosque was modest in size but featured traditional Indo-Islamic architectural elements. Its three-arched facade, intricately carved stone pillars, and plastered rubble masonry reflected the architectural style of Delhi's Sultanate period.[8]
