By Mirza Ahmed
Earlier this year in an unfortunate incident a scuffle took place at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Indian media covered it widely and called it an attack. What they covered with less intensity was the fact that the main accused was later arrested by Pakistan under a non-bailable section of their Anti-Terrorism Act.
Conspiracy theories went round on social media and prominent Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa went so far to say that the incident was an “open declaration” to convert the shrines (gurdwaras) into mosques.
What the Akali Dal leader perhaps failed to see while making the statement was that there are several mosques in India that have been converted into gurdwaras.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident and assured his countrymen that he will have zero tolerance against those involved in it.
Will the Akali Dal leader be able to say something like that especially about mosques that have forcibly been converted into gurdwaras. This is not an all-inclusive list, it lists only the most prominent examples.
Jama Masjid, Meham, Haryana
The Jama Masjid of Meham dates back to the era of the Mughals. It was constructed primarily using Kankar blocks. The mosque was converted fairly recently into a gurudwara. The Arabic calligraphy once adorned its high ceilings and arches has been coated over with paint. The exact construction date of this mosque is still up for debate as one inscription states that it was built in 1531 AD, during the reign of Emperor Humayun well as another inscription states that it was built during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1667-68 AD.
Coordinates: 28°58’02.9″N 76°17’31.0″E
Photo Source: Center for Art and Architecture, American Institute of Indian Studies
Gol Masjid, Amritsar, Punjab
Sharifpura was a Muslim enclave in Amritsar. During the Partition of India, the area was home to a huge Muslim refugee camp and bore witness to some of the most horrifying tales of the partition. Though this mosque has been used as a gurdwara for decades now, it is still referred to as the Gol Masjid and even its accompanying lane is sometimes referred to as Gol Masjid Wali Gali (the lane of the round mosque).
Coordinates: 31°37’54.5″N 74°53’03.9″E
Photo Source: Save The Mosques Of India/Facebook
Khail Bazaar Jama Masjid, Panipat, Haryana
The city of Panipat has witnessed battles that have changed the course of Indian history. Babur’s decisive victory over the Lodhis happened here marking the beginning of what would become one of history’s greatest empires. The city is home to several iconic mosques including the Jama Masjid of Khail Bazaar, which has now been converted into a gurdwara. Its three ribbed domes rise high above the dense marketplace and its central arch with its decorative iwan bear testimony to its Mughal influence.
Coordinates: 29°23’26.9″N 76°58’35.4″E
Photo Source: Prabjhot Singh/Google Maps
Purani Masjid, Gidranwali, Haryana
Gidranwali is a small village with just over 200 families residing in it as per the last census. Historically it was home to a large Muslim population who prayed their five daily prayers at the principal mosque of the village, which has also turned into a gurdwara now. The pre-partition mosque’s towering minarets are a sight to behold.
Coordinates: 30°04’32.5″N 74°00’12.6″E
Photo Source: Minta Click/Google Maps
Jama Masjid, Farrukhnagar, Haryana
After founding the town of Farrukhnagar in 1732 AD, Mughal Governor Faujdar Khan went on a building spree. He constructed magnificent structures within this town of which he was later declared the Nawab. One such structure is the Jama Masjid that is now being used as a Sikh gurdwara and Hindu temple as per historian Rana Safvi. The mosque originally had two minarets, today only one of them survives.
Coordinates: 28°26’52.6″N 76°49’16.0″E
Photo Source: Center for Art and Architecture, American Institute of Indian Studies
Jazakallah khair Mirza saheb
conversions of place of worships happened through history of mankind. it ‘s high time to expose hypocrisy and double standards of hindu right wings
Wait before u read the history of Ur Religion
sell off all masjids-good income for govt
It is painful to see this, in a country with so called democractic……….
Dear Sir,
I think these things should be put to rest. Islamic rulers and plunderers have destroyed and built mosques everywhere in undivided India which are in thousands. Selectively quoting few is bad journalism.Similarly can you publish how many temples have been destroyed from Kashmir to Kerla ?
Let me know how many. And full Of prove not Maine suna fulan se hidus ki gadhi hoi history and One more think ke maan lo agar past main Aisa howa bhi ho to ab peaceful (so-called) hidus ko bhi Aisa hi karna chahiye? @mr murthy
If we start identifying and converting masjids and mandirs to to their original form there will be no masjids left in india.
For starters google Quwatul Islam Masjid, Qutub Minar, Gyanwapi Masjid, Adhai din ka jonpra masjid in Ajmer…
The list is never ending …refer to Sita Ram Goels book…”what happned to the hindu temples in India..
A true honest muslim will surely be ashamed on the deeds of Muslim invaders.
No, majority of mosques WERE BUILT by MUSLIM rulers. I know, you did pull out that fake news from your Disgustingly smelling ass but that’s how you guys are: Brain-dead to the core and unable to hear the truth. History is like rocket science for your likes. Who knows , if you really do read the history you’ll be ASHAMED of what actually happened in history.
Dear Raja Bhoj,
You are right. Majority of mosques were built by muslim invaders ( on top of gurudwara, mandirs of jain and budhist).
If dont trust the websites you should visit these places yourself.
Indo Asian region not few Arab muslims. All in Punjab..Lahore are CONVERTED Hindus. They’re not real muslims. Even ARABIAN country SAYS fake Muslim and reading fake Hadid…..I think they must accept truths, and return their original forefathers HOUSE….HINDUS
Because Islam is the trues religion and awhen person knows about truth he accepts it. taht’s why it has been aspreading faster in western world. Forefahters house, Is it the house where cow urine being drunk and cow dung being eaten. Is it the religion to worship thousands of gods and godessess ? Is it the religion got no safety in their festivals like Diwali , Ganpati and Makarsankranti and many more?
Islam is the religion of Peace that’s why our forefathers have accepted it and so the waestern world. My friend read about Islam you might have to leave you home.
Thanks.
It sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. Agree history has witnessed many instances of places of worship which have been destroyed by religious fanatics. However the Muslim invaders had perfected it into a fine art. Starting from Mahmoud of Ghazni to the last known fanatic Aurangzeb they hv perpetuated a glorious tradition. The Mosques u hv mentioned as destroyed are a mere speck of sand compared to other religious places destroyed by fanatic Muslim rulers & invaders.
If ur opinion is to be taken as correct, then u wouldn’t have remained a non-Muslim.
More than 600 million are Muslims in the sub continent.
Those who are converting religious places are no different as the deeds are same .
Originally every human being is musalman when he or she took place birth in this world . This is ur choice to remain Muslim or convert as Hindu .
Then why muslim shave their moustaches and trim beard. If they are by-default muslim from birth, they must remain in uncut form.
For example: in sikhs, they believe that everyone is sikh from birth, as they never trim beard or moustaches. They always remain is their natural form.
No originally every one is Hindu. Until they decide to convert and do circumcission. If circumcission was indeed required then god would have made the child born already circumcised.
Mosques have been converted to Gurudwaras after partition 1947 because there were very less or no Muslims were left in Indian Punjab and Haryana parts. Instead of demolishing or building a new structure in that place, they have been taken cared by Hindus and Sikhs of 🇮🇳. You should be grateful to the people who have been still taking care of old mosques even they are not their religious places as I am grateful to some Muslims who have been taking care of old mandirs and Gurudwaras in Pakistan
i have never seen a mosque being taken care of in punjab,,just a photo shoot of 1 roomed mosque,,all others are taken by sikhs,,you people are good at photoshoots
Hindus don’t mind accepting anything sacred as God. That is why they have ended up in many Gods. Unfortunately Muslims have this problem. Quran says there is only one God, means in the broader sense it says there is no debate required on whether my God is better or yours. But this is the very point Mullahs failed to understand. They started saying there is only one God Allah and anyone do not worship Allah is an infidel. The whole idea of Quran and its good things are spoiled by Mullahs.