Historical Mosque Muhammad Bin Qasim (2020)

(All pictures are taken by author) 

Date of Visit 22-02-2020

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 10^th 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.