The Maqam Masjid, also locally known as the ''Muham Palli'', is a

Sunni Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam and the largest religious denomination in the world. It holds that Muhammad did not appoint any successor and that his closest companion Abu Bakr () rightfully succeeded him as the caliph of the Mu ...

mosque A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard. Originally, mosques were si ...

in the

Alappuzha district Alappuzha district (), is one of the 14 Districts of Kerala, districts in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala. It was formed as Alleppey district on 17 August 1957, the name of the district being changed to ''Alapp ...

of the state of

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

, 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 Government of Kerala (abbreviated as GoK), also known as the Kerala Government, is the administrative body responsible for governing the Indian States and territories of India, state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who ...

. The Maqam Masjid is located near the canal named Vadakanal, in Civil Station Ward of Alappuzha municipality.

History

Alappuzha was an important commercial and industrial centre in medieval Kerala. Raja Kesava Das, the Diwan of

Travancore The kingdom of Travancore (), also known as the kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor () or later as Travancore State, was a kingdom that lasted from until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvanan ...

, 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. As a result, traders and businessmen from throughout India, including Kachi memans,

Gujarati Muslims The term Gujarati Muslim is usually used to signify an Indian Muslim from the state of Gujarat on the western coast of India. Most Gujarati Muslims have the Gujarati language as their mother tongue, but some communities have Urdu as their moth ...

and Pathans, arrived in Alappuzha in search of employment. The Diwan invited many Gujarati Muslim families from

Bombay Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...

to settle in Alappuzha; and gave permission for mosques to be built on both sides of the canal. The Maqam Masjid was built during the mid-19th century.

Architecture

The Maqam Masjid is one of the historically important structures in Alappuzha. The mosque was built in the Kerala-Islamic traditional ''

Vastu shastra Originating in ancient India, ''Vastu Shastra'' (, ' – literally "science of architecture") is a traditional Hindu system of architecture based on ancient texts that describe principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, ...

'' architectural style, that were typically built without a

minaret A minaret is a type of tower typically built into or adjacent to mosques. Minarets are generally used to project the Muslim call to prayer (''adhan'') from a muezzin, but they also served as landmarks and symbols of Islam's presence. They can h ...

. It is a relatively small mosque, with capacity for approximately 200 worshippers. The old mosque building was renovated in 2022 under Alappuzha Heritage Project of the Kerala Government, at a cost of 15 million. 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. The old 'L'shaped building, built in the Kerala-Islamic traditional style, was kept intact while renovated.

References

{{Islam in Kerala 19th-century mosques in India Mosques in Kerala Religious buildings and structures in Alappuzha district Sunni mosques in India

History

Architecture

See also

References