Which Mosque Is 200 Years Old in Islamabad?

Which Mosque Is 200 Years Old in Islamabad?

Most people consider Islamabad a most modern, well-planned, Capital City. To most people, Islamabad is much more recently built than other historic cities in Pakistan like Lahore or Multan, but beneath the well-organized streets and buildings of contemporary Islamabad lies an ancient past which was recorded before Islamabad’s official designation as the capital city for Pakistan in 1966. Perhaps the most interesting piece of evidence for this past is Jamia Masjid Rajgan (“The Great Mosque of Rajgan”). The greater Historical importance of Jamia Masjid Rajgan indicates that Islam was not just a recent addition to the region’s landscape and that there was a substantial Islamic religious presence prior to the establishment of Islamabad.

Islamabad: A Modern City with Ancient Roots

To truly appreciate the significance of Jamia Masjid Rajgan, we must first look at how and why the city of Islamabad was built as a replacement for Karachi as the capital city of Pakistan. Islamabad has been built since early in the 1960’s as the new modern capital of Pakistan. The city is seen by many people as being new and without any significant historical look back towards the Age of the Pakistani Republic.

The fact that the Islamabad region has been inhabited for hundreds of years and that it exists within such proximity of ancient trade routes, historical sites like Taxila (which today are designated by the United Nations as a UNESCO World Heritage site), illustrates not only how modern the city is, but also the depth of history behind the land where this Mosque exists. The discovery of such an old Mosque that’s been in place for over 200 years should illustrate the depth of history this Mosque represents.

Discovery of Jamia Masjid Rajgan

An archaeological excavation at Jamia Masjid Rajgan was brought into the public eye when workers from a construction company discovered its ruins while working on the development of infrastructure at the city’s outer areas situated in the vicinity of both Paryan and Lotus Park. The discovery of these old brick structures led to an investigation into the archaeological remains by archaeologists and heritage specialists. Through this process, it was determined that these were the remains of a mosque that dated back to more than 200 years in the past. This new discovery has significantly altered people’s perspectives of the city’s historical context; formerly considered a very modern city, it now has been rediscovered as a city with many layers of history connected to it. Furthermore, the archaeological examination of the remains has indicated that the design features of the mosque clearly reflect the architectural characteristics of the Mughal period, providing archaeologists with evidence to ascertain the historical date of the mosque’s construction.

Historical Background of the Mosque

The Jamia Masjid Rajgan is estimated to have been established during the first half of the 19th century approximately 200 years ago when this region was comprised of very small independent settlements instead of a particular city. The mosque was likely the primary location a rural resident could go to worship and most likely also acted as the centre for community relations and interaction with others through social and educational opportunities.

During this time period, Mosques served a vital role in the everyday lives of many. Mosques provided places to pray but also offered the ability to assist individuals in resolving disputes; teaching young people to be productive members of society; and creating bonds between individuals in the same community to strengthen their communities. Therefore, the Jamia Masjid Rajgan was probably one of the central points in a village for interaction to take place, which was very important at that time in terms of community support and the way people interacted with each other.

Architectural Significance

The architectural styles of the mosque are still useful despite the present state of decay. Constructed using brickwork which fits the conventional features of Islamic architecture, the mosque has an arched entrance and its arrangement has design features that are characteristic to Mughal mosques.  The positioning of the mihrab indicates the mosque’s function as a place of worship by indicating where to pray. The Jamia Masjid Rajgan, while smaller than the imperial family’s many mosques throughout the Empire, has still maintained value through time.It reflects the layman’s religious life rather than that of the royal family, and so exemplifies the type of Islamic architecture that is often overlooked, in favour of the larger, more monumental structures.

Why Jamia Masjid Rajgan Matters

In addition to being an ancient structure, Jamia Masjid Ranjagan serves as evidence that Muslim settlements in the Islamabad area existed before the establishment of the capital. The mosque serves to disprove the notion that valuable historic places exist only in urban settings with a rich heritage. An example of how cities that are continuing to grow at a rapid pace must find solutions to preserve their history, while allowing for development is depicted through Jamia Masjid Ranjagan and the resulting debate surrounding both preservation and development. The rapid growth of Islamabad has resulted in many historic buildings facing potential damage or destruction, and Jamia Masjid Ranjagan reflects this larger dispute between preservation and development.

Preservation Efforts and Challenges

Since the discovery of this location, heritage analysts are pressuring the local government to protect this region and the mosques that will ensure that the people of Islamabad today and tomorrow can be able to identify with their past. The preservation of these mosques can also have the potential to offer the local community a useful source of culture and education.

This has had a negative impact on the mosque as the area around it is fast urbanizing and therefore time to carry out the correct conservation activities is short. No funding is also available to aid this process and many people do not know about the mosque or the struggles that it is encountering. However, the conversion of this mosque into a historic site is being contemplated with the continued debate and such a classification would be a significant step towards the progress of this monument.

Comparison with Other Mosques in Islamabad

Islamabad’s mosques are typically associated with the architecture of both Faisal and Lal Masjid. They are iconic and beautiful in design as well as for their individual history. While they are indeed attractive and well-known to visitors, they were both constructed in the 20th Century.

On the other hand, Jamia Masjid Rajgan is quite different because it has endured through centuries. Although not as ornate, it is rich in history. As opposed to highlighting the contemporary symbolism attributed to the new forms of architecture like the History: Faisal Mosque and the Lal Masjid, the story of this mosque portrays the simplicity of the life in the rural villages, but it is also representative of the culture that demonstrates continuity and commitment to God rather than to carrying on with the further development of the technology.

Cultural and Educational Value

The conservation of Jamia Masjid Rajgan will affect massively organisations, students, and researchers, studying the early design of mosques and community organisation in the Pothohar Region. Moreover, the conservation of the locality will make the residents of Islamabad feel more belonging to their city and develop an interest in their own heritage. Heritage sites may also stimulate the tourism sector of a city; most people may come to Islamabad due to the natural and modern sites, introduction of Jamia Masjid Rajgan and other historical sites will add more charm to the City.

The Role of Public Awareness

The Heritage conservation depends on the identification of the value and the preservation of the heritage sites by the people. In order to conserve its History Heritage, we need to have an insight of the History of the Heritage through media (Newspapers, Magazines, etc.), Academic Research, and Educational Institutions. Moreover, the investment by the Local Communities into the conservation of certain heritage will encourage the Local Communities to take measures protecting the Heritage Site. Therefore, in this way, the Jamia Masjid Rajgan may become the Unifying Image of the Identity of the City.