The mosque has passed through an amazing past, tradition report that for centuries the mosque didn’t serve the purpose it was constructed for.
By Tousif Raza
Pathar Masjid is one of the glorious monument in Srinagar. It’s glory not only attract the locals to visit but it also attract thousands of national and international tourists.Pathar Mosque, known locally as Naev Masheed. It is Mughal era stone mosque located in old city of srinagar on the left bank of the River Jehlim just opposite the shrine of Khankah e Moula. It was built by Mughal Empress Noor Jahan, the wife of emperor Jahangir. The mosque has some distinct features that separate it from the rest of the mosques in the kashmir valley. Unlike other mosques, it does not have the traditional pyramidal roof. Furthermore, the mosque has nine mehraabs (arches), with the central one being larger than the others.
Pathar Masjid is an interesting structure founded in 1623_AD formed of local grey limestone. Jahangir constructed this mosque on the same style followed by mughals in the construction of Agra, Delhi and Lahore. The mosque is a rectangular in plan measuring 180ft. long and 45ft. wide having bays and slanting roof which is supported on outer walls and columns erected inside the mosque. The columns are made of greystone and bricks: the lower portion bear the greystone and the uper portion which bear bricks have been coated in redline plaster. The upper portion of the outer walls of the mosque is also coated in the same lab. Its facade consists of nine arches including the largest arch in the center. These are enclosed in shallow decorative recessed arches, which are set within rectangular frames. The horizontal construction of these arches is remarkable. All of them have recently been closed up with rubble stone masonry.
These arches excluding the central one, has arched roshan dans giving way to natural light. The mosque has been divided into three main passages by massive columns with a prominent pulpit for the Imam. These columns also support the roof, which has 27 domes, the central one being the largest one. The central dome is said was repaired as it was destroyed in 1834_AD. These all domes are internally coated in cement plaster and are lotus designed
The mosque has passed through an amazing past, tradition report that for centuries the mosque didn’t serve the purpose it was constructed for. It is said when Noor Jahan was inquired by some body about the cost incurred on the construction of mosque, she hinted at her jewelled slippers saying. As much as it was treated as the contempt of the mosque so the Muftis and Qazis declared the mosque unfit for prayers. The mosque was repaired several times, firstly it was repaired by Fazal Khan during (1697_1704 AD). During the time of Afghans in year 1754 AD the mosque served the huge granary, later in 1793 AD Mirza Hazar Khan repaired the mosque again he laid the persian inscription on the initial of the main gate of the mosque. The two lines of this inscription reads as
HALFI GUFT UHAD MIR HAZAAR
NOWSHUD AABAD MASJID SANGEEN
The mosque which has remained closed for prayers for centuries together, was later on opened to Muslims in 1931 by Maharaja Hari Singh and is still a place to attraction
Tousif Raza can be reached at tousifeqbal555@gmail.com
