SALEH KAMBOH MOSQUE

 Date of Visit 02nd July 2023

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The historical Saleh Kamboh Mosque, also known as the 'Chinianwali Maseet' locally, is renowned for its unparalleled marvel of marble adorned with exquisite precious stone inlay work, famously referred to as 'Kashi kari'. In its prime, the mosque garnered fame for its architectural grandeur, intricate embellishments, and mesmerizing floral patterns crafted from marble.

The mosque takes its name from Muhammad Saleh Kamboh, the son of Mir Abdullah Kamboh, a learned scholar and writer. His eldest son, Sheikh Inayat Ullah Kamboh, stood as a historian and erudite scholar. Meanwhile, his younger sibling, Muhammad Saleh Kamboh, contributed his historical acumen to the Mughal court under the patronage of Emperor Shah Jehan and also served as a mentor to Aurangzeb. Muhammad Saleh Kamboh held the esteemed position of 'Shahi Dewan' for the Governor of Lahore and made his abode within the Mochi Gate vicinity, though the precise location remains somewhat elusive.

Kanhaiya Lal in his book 'Tareekh Lahore' beautifully documented this mosque.

"Behold, at the stunning and lively design of this mosque that grabs your attention. Even though it's not very big, this mosque is truly amazing with its detailed tile patterns and beautiful colors. The tall towers, like the happy laughter of excited people, go up gracefully, and the special dome on top covers the building like a fancy umbrella. The careful work that went into making the mosque is easy to see in the pretty designs on the walls, especially the fancy decorations made of shiny gold brass. These decorations have important verses from the Quran, sayings from Hadith, and fancy words in Persian, all in a shiny blue color.

It feels like the art was just made today because the artists were so careful with each design and word. When you step inside, you'll see the impressive layout of the mosque. There's a big open space in the middle with pretty walkways around it and colorful paintings on the walls that tell stories about being devoted and creative.

The person who had the great idea for this mosque was a wise and important person, known for being a great poet in the Shahjahan time. He also wrote the famous book "Baharunsh." His family was really proud of him because he was important in the Shahi court and he was very smart. At the front entrance of the mosque, there's a special message made of shiny brass that tells about the mosque's history. It's written in gold ink and has the names of the people who helped make the mosque look beautiful.

A family of very skilled artists, painters, and writers worked together to create this amazing mosque. They were really good at what they did, and you can see their clever work on the building. Even the steps going up to the special part where someone talks are made in a special way. The bottom step is green and shows how time passes, while the top step has pictures showing different parts of life. The mosque is really grand and beautiful, and even the small details, like the pretty artwork by Javed, show how talented the artists were."

Muhammad Saleh assumed command over a contingent of 500 horsemen, portraying his dual facets as a warrior and a scholar. Interestingly, historical records depict him as a commander of a Mughal fleet, leading the charge against rebellious forces in the Bay of Bengal. It was during this maritime duty that he penned his magnum opus 'Amal-e-Saleh' in the year 1659 AD. To provide a historical context, the renowned Wazir Khan Mosque had already reached completion in 1641 AD, and thus, the mosque bearing Saleh Kamboh's name emerged after his passing in 1675 AD, with certain accounts suggesting its construction as late as 1680. As of the current year, 2023, this mosque boasts a rich history spanning over 341 years.

Beyond his scholarly and military accomplishments, Muhammad Saleh Kamboh exhibited proficiency in poetry, adopting the pen name Kashfi for his Persian compositions and Subhan for his Hindi verses. Some sources even allude to his prowess as a classical singer. Regrettably, the achievements of these illustrious Kamboh brothers from Lahore, who, akin to their eminent ancestors, excelled in both military and scholarly pursuits, remain relatively obscure in contemporary times.

Muhammad Saleh Kamboh attained lasting the court chronicler, entrusted with recording the annals of Shah Jahan's reign. His literary masterpiece, the "Amal-i Salih" & "Shahjahanama," scripted in Persian, stands as a pivotal primary source chronicling the epoch of Shah Jahan. It serves as a testament to the author's literary finesse, skillfully weaving Persian poetry and prose. Also a preeminent primary source, in unraveling the events of Shah Jahan's era.

Muhammad Saleh, known by the Persian epithet Kashfi and the Arabic moniker Subhan, is also attributed with considerable skill as an Urdu vocalist. He secured a commanding position among the 'mansabdars,' with his designation reflecting leadership over five hundred soldiers. The exact date of Muhammad Saleh's passing remains shrouded in uncertainty, with S. M. Latif, relying on unspecified sources, noting his demise in A.H. 1085 (1675 AD), a stance upheld by certain scholars.