Chaqchan Mosque
| Chaqchan Mosque مسجد چقچن | |
|---|---|
 The Kashmiri-style Chaqchan Mosque was built in 1970, shortly after the area’s conversion to Islam | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shia Islam |
| Location | |
| Location | Khaplu, Pakistan |
  Location in Pakistan | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°09′22″N 76°19′50″E / 35.156062°N 76.330582°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Kashmiri |
| Date established | 1370 |
| Capacity | 500 (including adjoining verandah) |
The Chaqchan Mosque (Urdu: مسجد چقچن; meaning “The Miraculous Mosque”[1]) is a mosque located in the city of Khaplu, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. Dating from 1370, the mosque is one of the oldest in the region, and dates from the time when the area’s populace converted en masse from Buddhism to Islam.[2][3] The mosque’s design is heavily influenced by architecture from the Kashmir Valley,[4] and was likely also built by Kashmiri craftsmen.[5]
History
According to some sources the mosque was built by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani[6] while other say on arrival of Sufi saint Syed Nurbakhsh from Kashmir to Baltistan, the local ruling Raja accepted Islam and commissioned the building of the mosque[7] in 1370 CE. However, the dating of the latter theory contradicts historical source which suggests that the mosque was actually constructed more than two decade before the birth of Syed Nurbakhsh.
Conservation
The Government of Pakistan has listed the Chaqchan Mosque as a Pakistan Heritage Site. The mosque is now currently in use after extensive conservation works.
The mosque’s construction style is similar to the Roman opus craticum, in which masonry walls that are suitable for the region’s harsh winter season are built.[8] [9]
Gallery
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The mosque’s interior is painted in the style of the Kashmir Valley -
View over the valley from the mosque -
Chaqchan Mosque’s Arches -
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The mosque’s exterior -
Chaqchan Mosque around 1st decade of 19 century -
The mosque's decorated mihrab -
Portion of the decorated ceiling -
Almost all surfaces of the mosque's interior, including its ceiling, are decorated -
Interior decorations make use of vibrant colours
See also
References
- ^ Shahzad Bashir (2003). Messianic Hopes and Mystical Visions: The Nåurbakhshåiya Between Medieval. ISBN 9781570034954.
- ^ "Chaqchan Mosque (Ghanche)".
- ^ History of baltistan ,Hassan nurbakshi
- ^ Asimov, Muchammed Sajfiddinoviĉ (1992). History of Civilizations of Central Asia (vol.4,part-2). Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 9788120815964.
- ^ Dani, Ahmad Hasan (2001). History of Northern Areas of Pakistan: Upto 2000 A.D. Sang-e-Meel Publications. ISBN 9789693512311.
- ^ History and Culture of Baltistan,Hassan Hasrat
- ^ Afridi, Banat Gul (1988). baltistan in history.
- ^ Two Oldest Mosques of Sub-continent
- ^ Ghanche is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan
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