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Kashmir being a Muslim dominated state, it is but natural of it having
mosques. The Mughals planned and constructed many mosques and many of
them are architectural wonders. Every town has a mosque of its own
depicting the kashmiriyat of those olden times. The famous of the lot
are the Hazratbal and Charar-e-Sharif mosques. A unique one is a Mosque
within a Mosque or Akhand Mullah Masjid!
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Hazratbal mosque
The Hazratbal mosque stands alongside the Dal lake, carved with white
marble, has a unique relic. It has the preserved ‘hair’ which people
assert is of the Prophet Muhammad. The place is also known as
Assar-e-Sharief, Dargah Sharif , Hazrat Bal and even Madinat-us-Sani.
Hazrat Bal owes its etymology to Hazrat and Bal. Hazrat in Arabic means
Holy, while Bal in Kashmiri is used for place. |
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Hamdan Mosque
Famous as Amir – I – Kabir, the Mahadan Mosque is one of the attractive
mosques in Kashmir. The erstwhile royal Sultan Qutab-ud-Din commissioned
the construction in year 1835. Fire had the best of it twice, once in
1731 and before that in the year 1475. After its destruction in 1731,
Abdul Bharat Khan renovated and crafted totally in wood, The Hamadani
mosque owns its name to a sacred religious leader who had many locals
turn to Islam in peace. |
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Aali Masjid
The largest mosque in Srinagar is named Aali Masjid. Sultan Hassan
Shah’s rule saw the building of this mosque way back in the year of
1471. The Mosque is a fine illustration of the local timber structural
design of Kashmir. |
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Masjid of Akhund Mullah or Akhoon Mulla
A small shrine built by Mughal prince Dara Shikoh. The prince built this
shrine to honor his tutor Akhun Mulla Shah. The glossy grey limestone
mosque has a stone lotus (having an inscription from 1649) crowning its
podium. A special prayer chamber makes it look like a mosque within a
mosque. This is completely separated by a courtyard from the building.
Pathar Masjid, built in 1623 by the Mughal Empress Noor Jehan. Located
across the River Jhelum, it is the largest surviving Mughal structure in
Kashmir. The mosque has nine arches built horizontally with a very big
arched entrance in its middle. Historians and inquisitive people still
visit this monument. |
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Naqshband Mosque
Khanqah of Khwaja Moinuddin Naqshbandi lies centrally in Srinagar.
Erected by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, it has intricately carved
Khatamband ceilings, an art where small pieces of wood are fitted
together manually without the use of nails to form geometric designs.
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