UNIQUE SPANISH MOSQUE

Mosque built by Sir Vicar-ul Dowla is believed to fulfil wishes of those who pray there.

C R Gowri Shanker

Hyderabad: The iconic 110-year-old Spanish mosque or Jama Masjid Aiwan-e-Begumpet, inside the Paigah Palace, is getting a facelift. One of the most beautiful and unusual mosques in India, it is located in the dewdi of Iqbal-ud-Dowla Sir Vicar-ul Umra, in Begumpet, Secunderabad.

The mosque is well maintained and those who offer prayers believe it fulfils their wishes. The mosque was presented the Intach Heritage Award in 2010. 

The Spanish mosque was commissioned by Sir Vicar-ul Umra after he returned from his European tour of 1882-1887. Sir Vicar was the personal guest of Queen Victoria and other European royalty during this tour.

Inspired by the architecture of palaces and monuments in Europe, he decided to build something on similar lines. The result was the Falaknuma Palace and the Spanish mosque which shows Spanish-Moorish influence.

This architectural influence was completely new to princely India. Inside the mosque, one can see traces of African-Islamic architecture. The arches are in the Hispanic Islamic style, again an influence from North Africa and can be seen in the Qurtuba (Cordoba) Mosque in Spain and other ancient mosques in Africa.

Quranic verses in the Kufi style of calligraphy are inscribed on the walls.

The construction of the Spanish mosque began in 1899 and it was completed by Sir Vicar’s son and successor Nawab Sultan-ul Mulk, the Amir-e-Paigah, in 1906.

“We are giving a facelift to the age-old mosque. There will a new ablution area. The old one housed in a shed is being removed as it is blocking the view of the mosque. The mosque will get a fresh coat of paint,” Mr M.A. Faiz Khan of the Paigah family and mutavalli (caretaker) of the mosque said.

He said the mosque is structurally strong but due to the vagaries of nature, minor repairs have to be done. “It’s a rare mosque and we protect it,” Mr Khan said.

The entrance leads through a foyer into the main prayer hall with a high roof and central dome open from below and with light streaming through the windows.

The foyer is flanked by chambers for the use of ladies who wish to join the congregation. Paigah family members and prominent personalities such as MIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi and cricketer Mohd Azharuddin have offered prayers at the mosque.

“The mosque has a serene environment and radiates an aura of spirituality and peace,” says Mohammed Ibrahim, who takes care of the mosque. The mosque formed part of the 340-acre estate of the Paigah nobles, studded with seven palaces, in Begumpet.