Maqam Masjid

Maqam Masjid
Religion
AffiliationSunni Islam
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMosque
StatusActive
Location
LocationAlappuzha district, Kerala
CountryIndia
Maqam Masjid is located in Kerala
Maqam Masjid
Location of the mosque in Kerala
Geographic coordinates9°29′33″N 76°19′21″E / 9.4926°N 76.3225°E / 9.4926; 76.3225
Architecture
TypeMosque architecture
Style
FounderRaja Kesava Das
Completedmid-19th century
MaterialsLime mortal; timber; tiles

The Maqam Masjid, also locally known as the Muham Palli, is a Sunni mosque in the Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala, India. The mosque is one of the historically important structures in Alappuzha. Built in the mid-19th century, the mosque building was renovated in 2022 under the Alappuzha Heritage Project of Government of Kerala. The Maqam Masjid is located near the canal named Vadakanal, in Civil Station Ward of Alappuzha municipality.[1]

History

Alappuzha was an important commercial and industrial centre in medieval Kerala. Raja Kesava Das, the Diwan of Travancore, also known as the 'creator of modern Alappuzha', made Alappuzha a major port city of Travancore. To improve the spice trade, the Diwan built many roads, canals, and warehouses.[2] As a result, traders and businessmen from throughout India, including Kachi memans, Gujarati Muslims and Pathans, arrived in Alappuzha in search of employment. The Diwan invited many Gujarati Muslim families from Bombay to settle in Alappuzha;[3] and gave permission for mosques to be built on both sides of the canal.[3] The Maqam Masjid was built during the mid-19th century.[1][4]

Architecture

The Maqam Masjid is one of the historically important structures in Alappuzha. The mosque was built in the Kerala-Islamic traditional Vastu shastra architectural style,[4] that were typically built without a minaret.[5] It is a relatively small mosque, with capacity for approximately 200 worshippers.[1]

The old mosque building was renovated in 2022 under Alappuzha Heritage Project of the Kerala Government, at a cost of 15 million.[3][clarification needed] The mosque was renovated in such a way that the uniqueness of the old structures including the inner hall, doors, upper floor and stairs were not lost.[3] The old 'L'–shaped building, built in the Kerala-Islamic traditional style, was kept intact while renovated.[3][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c SUNNIVOICE (31 December 2021). "ആലപ്പുഴ: കനാൽ കരകളിലെ പൈതൃകക്കാഴ്ചകൾ" (in Malayalam). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  2. ^ "History". District Alappuzha. Government of Kerala. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e ലേഖകൻ, മാധ്യമം (18 April 2022). "പൈതൃകപദ്ധതിയിൽ മുഖംമിനുക്കിയ ആലപ്പുഴ മഖാം മസ്ജിദിന് പുതുഭാവം". Madhyamam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b Naseef, T. P. (28 June 2023). "The Kerala Mosques That Have Been Restored To Their Past Glory: Maqam Masjid". Benny Kuriakose and Associates. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  5. ^ "ആലപ്പുഴയുടെ പൈതൃകവും സംസ്കാരവും വിളിച്ചോതുന്ന 'മഖാം മസ്ജിദ് '". News18 മലയാളം (in Malayalam). 20 January 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Maqam Masjid" (Includes stunning images of the mosque). Benny Kuriakose and Associates. 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2025.