Ancient Mosque Sites | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Methala (Cheramaan Juma Mosque)

Cheramaan Juma Mosque is located in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur District, Kerala. It is also known as Cherman Perumal Masjid, Cheraman Palli, and Cheraman Mosque.

• The mosque was built in 629 AD, making it the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent that is still in use.
• It was constructed by Malik Deenar,. Persian companion of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, on the orders of the Chera King, the successor of Cheraman Perumal.
• The mosque features Kerala-style architecture with hanging lamps. An ancient Kerala-style oil lamp has been kept burning continuously since the mosque's inception.
• The mosque was rebuilt in the 11th century but was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1504 during an attack on the port of Kodungallur.
• The old building was constructed after the 1504 attack, and the mosque is currently being restored as part of the Muziris Heritage Project.

Malik Dinar Mosque

• The mosque was founded by Malik Deenar, a Persian scholar and traveler who was among the first Muslims to come to India to spread Islam.
• Malik Deenar is said to have died in Thalangara, and his grave is located within the mosque.
• The mosque was constructed in the typical Kerala style of architecture.
• Today, it is a prominent pilgrimage center for visitors.

Palaiya Jumma Palli (Old Jumma Masjid) or Meen Kadai Palli:

About the Mosque:

• The mosque is located in Kilakarai, an ancient port town in Tamil Nadu, India.
• It was built around 628-630 AD by Yemeni merchants and trade settlers in the Pandya kingdom, following their acceptance of Islam.

Historical Background:

• The construction was ordered by Baadhan (Bazan ibn Sasan), the Governor of Yemen at the time of Prophet Muhammad.
• The mosque stands as one of the finest examples of Dravidian Islam architecture.

Architectural Features:

• From the outside and inside, the mosque resembles a temple, but there are no idol carvings on the pillars or walls.
• The only feature that identifies it as a mosque is the Mihrab, which indicates the direction of prayer.
• The walls of the mosque are adorned with elaborate carvings, and there are lofty beams present in the ‘pallavasal’ (prayer hall) of the mosque.

Juni Mosque or Barwada Mosque

• The Barwada Masjid is located on the northern edge of the ancient port town of Ghogha, along the Gulf of Kambhat in Gujarat.
• In Gujarati, "Barwada Masjid" translates to the outsider's or foreigner's mosque.

Historical Significance:

• The mosque is believed to be in its original form and some historians argue that it predates other famous mosques in India, such as the Cheraman Mosque and the Palaiya Jumma Palli in Tamil Nadu.
• The Barwada Masjid is considered one of the oldest mosques in India due to the way it reflects early Muslim customs.

Early Muslim Prayer Practices:

• Initially, Muslims prayed facing Jerusalem for the first 13 years of Islam, from AD 610 to 623.
• In AD 623, the Prophet Muhammad received a revelation while in Medina, instructing Muslims to face the Kaaba during prayers.

Indication of Qibla:

• At the Barwada Mosque, the qibla (the direction of prayer) is indicated by the mehrab (prayer niche) and points towards Jerusalem.
• This suggests that the mosque was built before the Prophet's declaration to face the Kaaba, making it historically significant.
• In contrast, historic mosques in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have their qibla pointing towards the Kaaba.

Archaeological Evidence:

• There is archaeological evidence indicating the presence of Arab traders in Ghogha as early as the 7th century CE.
• Ghogha is unique for being an archaeological site where stone anchors have been found alongside Islamic glazed pottery.
• This suggests that Ghogha may have been a manufacturing hub for Indo-Arabic anchor stones.

Jamia Masjid of Banbhore

Bhanbhore is an ancient city in Sindh, Pakistan, with a history dating back to the 1st century BCE.

• The city is known for the remains of one of the earliest mosques in Pakistan, Jamia Masjid, which dates to 727 AD. This mosque was built shortly after the Arab conquest of Sindh by Muhammad Bin Qasim.
• Archaeological findings in Bhanbhore include remnants of houses, streets, and other buildings, both within and outside the citadel.
• Bhanbhore is recognized as the oldest mosque in Pakistan and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.