Chawk Masjid

Chawk Masjid
A painting of the Chawk Masjid in Murshidabad (circa 1790-1800).
General information
Type	Mosque
Architectural style	Islamic Architecture
Town or city	Murshidabad
Country	India
Coordinates	24°11′07″N 88°16′16″E / 24.185296°N 88.27107°E / 24.185296; 88.27107
Construction started	1767 AD
Design and construction
Architect	Shaikh Khalilallah
Website
"Chawk Masjid's website".

Coordinates: 24°11′07″N 88°16′16″E / 24.185296°N 88.27107°E / 24.185296; 88.27107

The Chawk Mosque (also Chawk Masjid) is a mosque in the city of Murshidabad, India. It was founded in 1767 AD by Munny Begum, wife of Nawab Mir Zafar. Earlier in this place Nawab Murshid Quli Khan had built the "Chahel Sutan", which was the city's forty pillared audience hall. The mosque still recalls the stories of the ruling days of the Nawabs and still holds on its glory of the past.

The Masjid was founded by Munny Begum, the wife of Nawab Mir Zafar in 1767 AD under the supervision of Shaikh Khalilallah . Earlier on this venue Nawab Murshid Quli Khan built the "Chahel Sutan", which was the city's forty pillared audience hall. The mosque still recalls the stories of the ruling days of the Nawabs and still holds on its glory of the past. The mosque is located in the Nizamat Fort Area near the Hazarduari Palace and its other nearby buildings.

This mosque was of great importance in the Nawabi era as Munny Begum was a favourite of Robert Clive and Warren Hastings in terms of her lavish distribution. She in turn received several gifts; one was a palanquin which could accommodate 30 people from Rani Bhavani. Munny Begum had her allowances separately assigned. Thus, she was a Gaddinashin Begum. There have been several other Begums who have been a Gaddinashin Begum, like Babbu Begum another wife of Nawab Mir Zafar, she was on a receipt of ₹8000 per month while Munny Begum received ₹ 12000. There have been more such Gaddinashin Begums. Munny Begum had done several acts of munificence to the East India Company and their servants. On her death a salute was fired by the Government corresponding to the number of years of her age as she was always viewed with cordial regard and has a distinguished consideration to the Government of the East India Company.