Shah JahanMosque: Thatta’s Jewel & Crown
By Khuda Bux Soomro

Thatta is a historical city and had remained a capital of Sindh during ancient times. It was famous for several reasons such as education, society and trade during its heydays. It was known as a hub of knowledge and academic activities. This land is blessed with many renowned people who got birth here and ruled in the fields like: science, philosophy, politics etc. Hazrat Mukhdom Hashim, Abdullah Shah Ashabi, Mufti Mohammad Hussian, Shah Mashkeen and Shah Murad Sheerazi are some of the world fame saints who stayed here till the last.

Shahjehani, right side row of arches

Besides this Thatta enjoys an international acclaim being the inheritor of rich archeological heritage. There are so many historical places like Dahbal Port, Halejee Lake, Makli Hill and Jamia Mosque Shah Jahan located in the heart of the city.  

Shahab ud-Din Mohammad was the third son of Jahanghir who ruled from (1627 to 1658 A.D). His period is counted as the age of peace, prosperity and the progress. Shah-Jahan was learned, polite and soft spoken. He was fond of literature and fine art such as music painting and architecture. His buildings represent the climax in the evolution of the Mughal architecture in the sub continent. The Red Fort with its white marble ,Palaces and Jamia Masjid at Dehli, the Moti Masjid , Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam, Taj Mahal and Shah Jahan Mosque Thatta besides many other buildings at several places are considered to be on of the best architectural monuments in the Indo-Muslim era. In view of his architectural achievements Shah Jahan is called “Prince of Builders”. He lavishly adorned the great cities of his empire with palaces, Mosques, Mausoleum, Canals, Gardens, Halls and Reservoirs. Their grace and elegance extort universal admiration so he built two magnificent Mosques, Badshahi Mosque at Lahore and Shah Jahan Mosque at Thatta.

Parralel double rows of inside arches

Shah Jahan Mosque is one of the marvelous wonders of Thatta which captivate the visitor with its first look.

At the time of its construction it was difficult to select area for Mosque. At last it was decided to construct the Mosque on the place of old Madrasa Known as Madrassa Daar-r-Rushid and Mosque, so Madrassa and mosque were razed and were shifted to a new area on the North of Shah Jahan Mosque near Palang Parah. The main Arch of Shah Jahan Mosque was constructed on the very place of old Mosque's Arch.

The construction of Mosque work started inn (1644) A.D. The king made it public that the foundation of mosque will be laid by the person who would not have ever missed his Tahjud Prayer. The next morning the foundation stone of the mosque was found to be laid down to the surprise of every one. Shah Jahan was learned man and he had also learnt the Holy Quran by heart. Hence he entrusted the work of construction to the three thousand mason any workers who were all Hafiz-e-Quran. None of them was allowed to work without ablution. It is said that masons used to recite a verse of the holy Quran before laying any brick.

Quranic Calligraphy

Thus the construction work successfully completed in the short period of three years in (1647) but floor work remained continued till 1068. The total cost incurred on the project was stated to be as Nine Lac Shahjahani currency. The Mosque covers an area of 5890 square yards and it has five gates: one at northern and the other at southern side while rest of the three are at eastern side. One of the eastern gate is Main Gate which was kept closed at its initial stage due to unknown reasons. There are two marbled pools which used to be used for the ablution (WAZO) but now the same pools are encircled with pipe lines with taps.

There are two Arches designed one at eastern side and other at western and there is a big courtyard which is open surrounded a chain of tombs, which always create counting ambiguity. Some count them as 100 & some count them as 101 etc. However, the Imam of Mosque Mufti Abdul BHAARI divulge the total number of tombs as one hundred.

Shah Jahan Mosque - Main gate and front courtyard

The mosque was constructed with red bricks burnt in fire and the work of art designed in blue color is done on those brick these bricks were fixed with white lime in the walls and pillars the work of art is done beyond the imagination which astounds to each visitor. It said that some Egyptian and Iranian masons were hired for this gigantic task. There round about 96 six pillars in the mosque erected which are present small and big size.

The mosque remain very cool in every season. Ventilation system is extremely good, even in summer season mosque remains cool and airy without any electric fan. There are about (56) fifty six net windows and four (4) small size ventilators are fixed.

The Mosque has a big park known as Bhutto Park , this park was constructed during the reign of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Mufti Abdul Bahari and his father Mufti Abdul Hussain who was scholar and saint of his time is the guardian of The Shah Jahan Mosque from ages. His elder Son Qari Abdul Basit is also performing the duty of leading prayer in the mosque as well as supervising the Madrasa Dar-r- Rushad at present.