Thursday, 19 April 2018

Pathar Masjid, Zaina Kadal, Srinagar



شکر حق از دعای اهل یقین
باز آباد گشت خانه دین
گرد سردار خطه میر هزار
مسجد نو بپا به بصد  تزمین 
اختر دولتش فروزان باد
تا بود بر فلک مه و پروین
اینچنین مسجد از بلندی قدر
آسمانی بود بروے زمین
عاقبت رو سیاه و ملعون شد
هر که او غله می نهاد ورین
صدر از هاتفی بپر سیدم
تا کند سال این مرا تلقین
هاتفی گفت عهد میر هزار
نو شد آباد مسجد سنگین



The mosque is said to have been built in 1623 by Empress Nur Jahan. Its façade consists of nine cusped arches including an arched portion in the centre. Its roof consists of twenty seven domes which are partly ribbed and partly vaulted. The prayer hall has eighteen massive square columns. The plinth is surrounded by lotus-leaf coping.


Chinar trees are planted in the courtyard and building material used is polished limestone. Pathar Masjid is the largest surviving example of Mughal architecture in Kashmir. It's area is 180 x 51 feet.


The frieze between the projecting cornices and the caves is decorated with a series of large lotus leaves carved in relief. A flight of steps within the door jamb of the entrance gives access to the roof which is, as usual in Kashmir, sloping except in the centre, where there was originally a dome, which was later dismantled by Sikhs. The roof consist of 27 domes, the central one of which is the largest. The domes are mostly ribbed inside, though there are some that are flat or wagon-vaulted.


Unlike other mosques in Kashmir, this building does not has a traditional pyramidal roof. The roof is supported by 18 extraordinarily massive columns, having projections on two sides. The lower portion of the columns are of stone and upper portions of brick, covered by a thick layer of buff-coloured lime plaster. The overall style lacks any kind of ornamentation.


The construction of the mosque was supervised by the well known historian and architect Malik Haider Chadoora. He was influential landlord and very close to Emperor Jahangir and Noor Jahan.

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