Moorish Mosque

The Moorish Mosque in Kapurthala is a specimen of a King's love for his subjects. Located in Kapurthala of Punjab, the mosque is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and is among the best mosques in South East Asia.

The mosque was built by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh who was the last ruler of Kapurthala. Known for his extravagant taste and involvement in developmental activities, the ruler was also popular among the subjects for his secular nature. As the majority of his subjects were Muslims, the ruler who was a Sikh himself, decided to build a mosque for his fellow beings.

History

Patterned on the lines of the Moroccan Grand Mosque in Marrakesh, the Moorish Mosque is one of the most enchanting and prominent places to visit in Kapurthala. The Sikh Maharaja of the city, Jagatjit Singh, built this extravagant mosque to show his love for his subjects, who comprised the majorly of Muslims and to reflect his secular nature. French architect Monsieur M. Manteaux was called to commence the architectural work of the mosque. The aesthetic brilliance of this mosque is increased by leaps and bounds when the tourists have a look at the intricate wall paintings and the manicured gardens of this mosque.

Architecture

The architecture and design of the mosque are influenced by the Grand Mosque of Marrakesh in Morocco. The structure was designed by the French architect Monsieur M. Manteaux, who was also behind the design of Jagatjit Singh's palace. The construction of the structure started in 1927 and got over by 1930. An inscription on the mosque says that it took four years to construct the mosque.

This beautiful mosque is built in marble, with the artwork of its inner dome attributed to the artists of the Mayo School of Art in Lahore. Glass panes are placed in the arched portions of the doors and windows. This beautiful structure is painted in a light red color, with the doors and windows painted green. Inside the mosque, the wooden ceiling is varnished in black and red.