Palaiya Jumma Palli

Palaiya Jumma Palli (transl. Old Jumma Masjid) or Meen Kadai Palli is a mosque in Kilakarai, Tamil Nadu, India. Built in 628-630 AD,[1] it is believed to be one of the oldest mosques in the world and along with Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Kerala and Barwada Mosque in Ghogha, Gujarat , the first mosque in India.[2][3] It has an Islamic heritage of more than 1000 years. It is located in Kilakarai, an ancient port town in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu known for its Islamic culture. It was built in 628–630 AD and was re-constructed in 1036. The mosque along with the others in the town, is one of the greatest examples of Dravidian Islam architecture.[4]

Paḻaiya jum'mā paḷḷi
The Old Jumma Masjid Of Kilakarai
Religion
AffiliationIslam
RegionKilakarai
Location
LocationKilakarai, Tamil Nadu, India
StateTamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates9.2314°N 78.7844°E / 9.2314; 78.7844
Architecture
Architect(s)Bazan Ibn Sasan
TypeMosque
StyleDravidian Islamic architecture
Completed628-630 CE

History and Construction

Constructed by the Yemeni merchants and trade settlers of the pre-Islamic period in Pandiya kingdom ordered by Baadhan (Bazan ibn Sasan) Governor of Yemen at the time of Prophet Muhammad, after they accepted Islam in 625–628 AD at the time of Kavadh II son of Khosrau II (king of Persia). This mosque was rebuilt in the 11th century after saheed war. It is one of the oldest mosques of India. Bazan Ibn Sasan, Tamim Ibn zayd al ansari, Ibnu Batutah, Nagoor Abdul Cadir, Ervadi Ibrahim Sahib, Sultan of Ottoman Murad and other most famous Islamic scholars visited the mosque and Ibn Battuta said in his travel notes "the people there lived as though they were in the Arab land".

Structure

The mosque looks like a temple from outside and inside, but does not have any idol carving on the pillars or walls. There is the Mihrab on the wall like all mosques for identifying the direction of prayer, which is the only proof that it is a mosque. Elaborate carvings are present on the surfaces of the walls of the mosque and lofty beams are also present in the 'pallavasal' of the mosque. The mosque bears a Tamil architectural look, which implies a distinctive architectural pattern.

  • Tamil architectural features
  • Tombstone in Arwi script

See also

References
  1. "Oldest Indian mosque: Trail leads to Gujarat".
  2. Gibb & Beckingham 1994, pp. 814–815 Vol. 4.
  3. Krishna, Nanditha. "KILAKARAI-THE OLDEST MOSQUE IN INDIA". Heritageonlinefoundation. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  4. "Documentary on Tamil Muslims inspires approach to Tamil national struggle". TamilNet. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
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