| Moorish Mosque | |
|---|---|
 The mosque, in 2013 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Leadership | Maharajah Jagatjit Singh |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Kapurthala,Punjab |
| Country | India |
  Location of the mosque inPunjab, India | |
| Coordinates | 31°22′08″N75°22′52″E / 31.369°N 75.381°E /31.369; 75.381 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Monsieur Maurice Mantout |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | |
| Founder | Maharajah Jagatjit Singh |
| Groundbreaking | 1927 |
| Completed | 1930 |
| Construction cost | Rs 600,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Minaret | One(square) |
| Minaret height | c. 40 m (130 ft) |
| Materials | Marble |
TheMoorish Mosque is amosque located inKapurthala in the state ofPunjab, India. Commissioned byMaharajah Jagatjit Singh, the last ruler of Kapurthala,[1] the mosque was completed in 1930 in a fusion ofIndo-Islamic andMoorish Revival styles, patterned on the lines of theGrand Mosque ofMarrakesh, Morocco.[citation needed] At the time of its completion, Kapurthala city was the capital city of theKapurthala State, known as 'Mini Paris of Punjab' and the mosque was stated to be one of the best inSouth-east Asia.[2] The mosque is amonument protected by the Punjab State Department of Archaeology.
The mosque is situated in Kapurthala about 21 kilometres (13 mi) fromJalandhar. Kapurthala is also the nearest rail head to the mosque.
The mosque was built by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, the last ruler of Kapurthala. He was ruler with extravagant tastes but known for the developmental activities implemented in the then Kapurthala State. He was renowned for his secular credentials.[3][4] The Maharaja, aSikh, who built it, believed in catering to the aspirations of his largely Muslim subjects (about 60%).[5] The mosque was his ambitious effort to promote social integration among his people, and this is proved by the fact that when the thenViceroy of India sent him a letter questioning him on the large costs involved in building it, the Maharaja replied: "Your Excellency may be unaware that 60 per cent of my population comprises of my loyal Muslim subjects. It is only in the fitness of things that the best place of worship in my state be constructed for them".[6]
The mosque was built to the architectural design of the French architect Monsieur M. Manteaux, who had also designed the Jagatjit Palace in the city.[7] Construction was started in 1927 and completed in 1930 and built at a cost of Rs 600,000. The mosque was inaugurated by NawabSadeq Mohammad Khan V, theNawab of Bhawalpur.[3] An inscription on the mosque also states that it was built in a period of four years.[5]
The mosque's architectural design is a replication of theKoutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh in Morocco. The artwork of the inner dome is attributed to the artists of the Mayo School of Art, Lahore.[citation needed] Architecturally the mosque is very elegant and is built with marble stones. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that unlike most other mosques in India, there are no external domes. There is ac.40-metre-tall (130 ft) square tower, orminaret, located at one end of the edifice.[5] The mosque's inner courtyard is paved entirely with marble, and has a unique design.[6]
Glass panes have been fitted in the arched sections of the doors, windows and other artistic feature. Wooden grills are provided in the interior while latticed iron work form the external features. The mosque is painted in light red colour. However, the doors and windows and eves are painted in green colour. Inside the mosque, the wooden ceiling is varnished in black and red colours.[2]
A model of the mosque was designed by Monsier Mantout and was exquisitely crafted in wood. This was presented to Mantout by the Maharaja on 14 March 1930.[8]
In 1972, as part of the operation "city beautification" programme initiated by the state government at the suggestion of thenPrime Minister of India,Indira Gandhi, the mosque was cleaned up and a rose garden laid in its front lawn.[9] Further conservation work was completed in advance of a visit to the mosque byAPJ Abdul Kalam, thePresident of India, in late 2013. TheArchaeological Survey of India assessed the state of the mosque and, in November 2013, released a detailed project report that identified the required scope of restoration work.[10] Restoration and conservation work was completed between 2013 and 2017, funded by thePunjabi Government Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology & Museums.[11]
Media related toMoorish Mosque, Kapurthala at Wikimedia Commons
