The mosque has lost one of its minarets due to the October 26 earthquake. PHOTOS: EXPRESS
The historical Mahabat Khan Mosque is caught in the throes of neglect. As the only Mughal mosque in the city, it has been an emblem of architectural grandeur and represents the glory of the past.
However, the structure is in a decrepit condition as the authorities have failed to renovate it even though funds have been allocated in the annual budget.
Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune the mosque has lost one of its minarets due to the October 26 earthquake. Meanwhile, the Auqaf department has yet to take notice of the matter and carry out repair work.
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The story of the mosque’s decline is etched on its decrepit walls. The immaculate white exterior has turned black due to persistent rainfall and pollution in the city. The multi-coloured column arches which adorn its walls have also fallen prey to official neglect. One of small minarets has been damaged beyond repair.
Pointing fingers
Owing to the dilapidated condition of the mosque, the K-P government allocated Rs50 million in budget for 2014-15 to repair and preserve the structure. However, little has been done so far.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, officials of the Auqaf department cite the absence of experts to carry out preservation work as the main reason for the delay. However, Minister for Auqaf Habibur Rehman claims the inefficiency of senior officials is the main reason for the hold-up.
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On the other hand, officials at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology said the reconstruction of the mosque falls within the remit of the Auqaf department.
According to Rehman, repairs and reconstruction will take a long time and will require experts from other provinces.
“We have initiated work and experts from Lahore will be hired to carry it forward,” he added.
About the delay in work, he pinned the blame on the previous Auqaf secretary, Ahmad Hasan, for not taking steps to restore the mosque after funds were allocated.
“The new secretary will begin work on this project soon and the mosque will be repaired and preserved at all costs,” he added.
The historical backdrop
The mosque was built in 1660 by Mahabat Khan, the Mughal governor in Peshawar, who had served Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb.
According to late archaeologist Ahmad Hasan Dani, Mahabat was a well-known figure of the region’s Mughal history and had constructed the largest mosque in Peshawar.
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After Sikh rulers invaded and conquered Peshawar in 1834, the mosque was vandalised. According to some accounts, the minarets of the mosque were used as execution sites. However, with the arrival of the British, the mosque was repaired. In 1982, the Auqaf department declared it a historical site.
Along with Wazir Khan and Badshahi mosques in Lahore and Shahi Mosque in Thatta, Mahabat Khan Mosque is one of the finest examples of architecture in Pakistan.
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“It is the one of the most important sites in the province and attracts many tourists and visitors,” the mohtamim (administrator) of the mosque said. Talking to The Express Tribune, he said, “People from all parts of the province visit the mosque but always leave disappointed due to its neglected condition.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2015.
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