‘Expedite renovation of Mai Qamro Mosque’

Jamal Shah says historical sites promote country’s heritage of thousands of years

ISLAMABAD:

Interim Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Jamal Shah, visited Mai Qamro Mosque and Muqarab Khan Tomb in a small village ‘Bagh Jogian’ in the vicinity of Islamabad and directed the Department of Archaeology and Museum’s officials to expedite the pace of work to restore these historical places in their original form besides enhancing its outlook.

Department of Archaeology and Museum, Director General Dr Abdul Azeem, and other senior officials briefed the minister about the preservation and renovation work on the sites.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister opined that historical heritage sites should be upgraded and revamped, giving a new look to the capital city and promoting the country’s thousands of years old heritage.

The Mosque is believed to have been built by Mai Qamro, Hathi Khan Ghakkar’s wife, a Ghakkar dynasty scion in which women occupied a prestigious and influential position.

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According to some architects, this Mosque was constructed in the early 16th century, a great specimen of Ghakkar architecture. It was built on a rectangular plan and crowned with three squat domes. The southern dome of the mosque has caved in but the two others are in fairly good condition. It is noted for its three arched entrances. The central entrance is flanked by two recessed arches which lend an amazing beauty to the façade of the structure.

Above the arched entrance, one finds a beautiful cut-brick ornamentation. Such embellishments cannot be found elsewhere in Potohar. Dressed stone has been used to construct the mosque. Formerly, it was plastered, traces of which are still visible on the façade of the mosque.

Parts of the boundary wall of the mosque have survived the ravages of time. The northern boundary is still standing. The remains of the southern and eastern walls are also visible.

The minister also visited the historical Muqarab Khan Tomb.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2023.