Khanqah-e-Moula

Khanqah-e-Moula
The Khanqah on the banks of Jhelum River, in 2012
Religion
Affiliation	Sunni Islam
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Mosque
Status	Active
Location
Location	Zaina Kadal, Old Srinagar, Srinagar District, Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir
Country	India
Location of the mosque in Jammu and Kashmir
Coordinates	34°05′28″N74°48′28″E / 34.091248°N 74.807771°E / 34.091248; 74.807771
Architecture
Type	Mosque architecture
Style	Kashmiri
Founder	Sultan Sikandar
Completed	1395 CE (first structure); 1732 CE (rebuilt)
Specifications
Height (max)	38 m (125 ft)
Spire	1 (turret)
Monument of National Importance
Official name	Khanqah of Shah Hamadan
Reference no.	N-JK-37

The Khanqah-e-Moula, also known as Shah-e-Hamadan Masjid and the Khanqah, is a Sunni mosque located in the Old City of Srinagar, in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated on the right bank of the river Jhelum between the Fateh Kadal and Zaina Kadal bridges, it was built in 1395 CE, and was commissioned by Sultan Sikandar in memory of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani. It is held to be the first khanqah — mosques associated with specific saints — in the Kashmir Valley. It is one of the best examples of Kashmiri wooden architecture, and is decorated with papier mache. ^[1] The mosque structure is a Monument of National Importance. ^[2]

History

The mosque was commissioned by Sultan Sikandar Butshikan in 1395 CE in memory of the Islamic preacher Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, the central figure involved in the widespread conversion to Islam in Kashmir. Also known as Shah-e-Hamadan (the King of Hamadan), the preacher came to Kashmir from the city of Hamadan, Persia in the 14th century. He is credited for the spread of Islam in Kashmir. ^[2]

In 1480, the shrine was destroyed in a fire. The then-ruler, Sultan Hassan Shah, expanded its premises and rebuilt it. In 1731 CE, the khanqah was again destroyed by fire and then rebuilt by Abdul Barkat Khan, the Mughal governor. On 15 November 2017, another fire broke out in the shrine which damaged the spire of the building. Fire tenders were brought on the scene and they managed to arrest the spread of the fire which prevented any further damage to the building. ^[3] Restoration work was immediately started, ^[4] and on 30 March 2018, a refurbished crown was successfully installed on the spire of the shrine. ^[5] In recent centuries, some have claimed it was built on top of the ruins of a Hindu Kali temple, ^[6] although such claims have been thoroughly investigated and refuted. ^[7]

Gallery

• 
  Sketch of the mosque, 1906
• 
  The mosque's interior has intricate woodwork and is richly decorated with papier-maché, seen above in 2007; the wooden structure makes it prone to fires, the latest such incident occurring in 2017
• 
  View of the Khanqah from the Jhelum river. On the bank saffron marks indicate the supposed existence of a Kali temple, although no conclusive evidence exists of the latter.

See also

• India portal
• Islam portal

• Islam in India
• List of mosques in India
• List of Monuments of National Importance in Jammu and Kashmir

References

1. "Asian Historical Architecture: A Photographic Survey". Asian Architecture.
2. "List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Jammu & Kashmir". Archaeological Survey of India . Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
3. "Khankah-e-Moula shrine damaged in Srinagar fire". 15 November 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
4. "Latest News From Kashmir, Breaking News, Current Headlines, Kashmir News Online | Greater Kashmir" . Retrieved 5 May 2019.
5. "Khankah-e-Maulla gets refurbished crown". 31 March 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
6. "Maa Kali's Abode at Srinagar Kashmir - Kashmir Rechords-Striking a Chord with Kashmir". 30 September 2023.
7. "Maa Kali's Abode at Srinagar Kashmir - Kashmir Rechords-Striking a Chord with Kashmir". 30 September 2023.

External links

Media related to Khanqah-e-Moula Mosque at Wikimedia Commons