[3] Construction of the Moti Masjid took five years, completing in 1663 CE, at Aurangzeb's personal expense; the court chronicle Ma'asir-i-Alamgiri describes the cost to be 1 lakh and 60 thousand rupees.

[3][4][5] Following its construction, Aurangzeb began to offer the zuhr prayer at the mosque with officials of the state, introducing a new ceremonial practice.

The looting exposed the domes to the elements, caused them to deteriorate, and rainwater also damaged the ceiling of the prayer hall.

[3][2] In the 1920s, initiatives by the ASI led to a swelling of tourism at the Red Fort, and the Moti Masjid experienced increased foot traffic.

In the post-Revolt era, the ASI also raised concerns over British military personnel damaging the marble floors of the mosque.

The façade of the prayer hall features three entrance arches on piers, as well as a curvilinear eave (bangla chhajja).

The mosque building is topped by three pointed domes, sitting on constricted necks, aligned with the arches in the façade.

[4] On the other hand, Dadlani views the monument as part of Aurangzeb's 'imperial visual program', which emphasized the construction of mosques to portray himself as a pious ruler, but also used ornamentation to recall Shah Jahan's reign, and thereby its political stability.