The First Mosque in Sub-Continent
At
the beginning of 8th century, the boundaries of the Muslim empire had expanded
in all directions and soon reached the very limit of Sindhu valley. Then, due
to some unpleasant happenings, the Arab Viceroy of eastern regions was prompted
to launch a military expedition against the ruler of lower Sindhu valley named
Raja Dahir, in 711 A.D. As a result, a young Arab general named Muhammad bin
Qasim, a nephew of Hajjaj bin Yousaf, was dispatched to measure sword with Raja
Dahir.
First, Muhammad Bin Qasim besieged the coastal city of
Daybal which fell to Arab army. The occupation of Daybal was followed by other
important towns of Dahir's kingdom such as Drawar, Alor, Nerun and Multan
which, after a hard resistance, were captured by Muhammad bin Qasim. With the
conquest of Dahir's kingdom, the boundaries of Muslim empire on the southern
borders extended to the lower valley of river Sindh. It was a general practice
among Muslim invaders, that wherever they went, marked out a place for offering
prayer. Muslim invaders of Sindh also followed this practice and built mosques.
Muhammad bin Qasim
defeated Raja Dahir on 10th of Ramadan 711 AD. On 11th of Muharram,
after appointing governors in all principal districts of Sindh, he left
Brahamanabad and marched Towards Alore (Modern day Arore) where Fofi, son of
Raja Dahir, had fortified his position. Muhammad Bin Qasim called his forces to
a halt opposite the fort. This is where he built a mosque, known as Muhammad
Bin Qasim Mosque. The ruins of the mosque still stand on top of a hill in
Arore.
The remnants of the mosque built on a mound. Sadly, only few arches have survived but
to our surprise, there were few praying mats and a speaker installed at the
top, indicating that the mosque is very much active. The mosque is in Arore
city, opposite Govt. Elementary Campus School Arore, Taluka Rohri District
Sukkur. It is attributed to Muhammad Bin Qasim perhaps built in the 8th century
A.D.
At present only two
walls are remaining of the structure, the total area measures about 45’-0” x
78’-0” feet (3510 sft). The mosque consists of two
entrances, decorated with Tudor arches and Tudor arched rectangular panels are
designed symmetrically on the left and right side of the open arch. Tudor
arched ventilators are also constructed on above of opening arch. Newly
constructed area for prayers is made with cemented material. There is only one
window on the western side wall and decorated with bricks jali. The limestone
blocks were found in large quantity in various parts of the site where the
cultural material was seen embedded in the section of a burrow. Mosque is
almost 95% destroyed.
