Ali Muhammad Khan Mosque

30°11′38″N 71°28′24″E / 30.1937669490077°N 71.4732952686031°E / 30.1937669490077; 71.4732952686031ArchitectureTypeMosqueStyleMughal architectureDate established1753 A.D. (1171 HijriMinaret(s)1

Ali Muhammad Khan Mosque, also referred to as Wali Muhammad Mosque, or Masjid Wali Muhammad, is a historic mosque in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, that is currently under administration of the Auqaf Department.^[1]

History

Ali Muhammad Khan Mosque was erected in 1753 (1171 Hijri) in the midst of Chowk Bazaar by the then-Multan Governor, Nawab Ali Mohammad Khan Khakwani, during Mughal emperor Alamgir II's reign.^[1]

In the era of Sikh governance, the Sikh governor would hold court at the mosque's main entrance, with the Guru Granth Sahib housed in the primary prayer hall.^[1]

Following their ascension to power in the subcontinent, the British rulers returned the mosque to the Muslim community during the 19th century.^[1] The mosque had been under the management of the Awan family's hereditary custodians for an extended period before the Auqaf Department assumed control in 1960.^[1]

Architecture

Ali Muhammad Khan Mosque's complex features a small three-bay mosque at one end of a large courtyard, with a significantly larger gatehouse facing it from the opposite side.^[2] Both structures are adorned in the late Mughal style with Shah-Jahani cusped arches and floral wall designs.^[2] The mosque entrances have shallow muqarnas vaulting.^[2] Multan's characteristic blue glazed tiles are sparingly used, primarily on the spandrels of the arches and columns dividing the bays.^[2]

The mosque has a Kashigari-style interior design, a large prayer hall, a pool for performing ablutions and bathing, and two resting rooms for worshippers.^[1]

References