Information on Spanish Mosque (Hyderabad, Telangana) - History & Architecture

The Spanish Mosque is located in Begumpet in Secunderabad, in Hyderabad in the state of Telangana, in South India. It is situated just opposite to Old Begumpet Airport. It is also known as Aiwan-E-Begumpet or Majid Iqbal Ud Daula. It is locally known as Mosque of the Moor. In 1906, it was successfully constructed by Paigah Nawab named Nawab Sir Vikhar-ul-Umra Iqbal-ud-Dowla immediately after his return from European country particularly in Spain. He was largely inspired by the religious and architectural significance of Jama Masjid located in Gulbarga in the state of Karnataka and the Cathedral-Mosque of Cordaba.

Spanish Mosque Religious Significance

The Spanish mosque of Begumpet accommodates nearly 3000 worshipers at a time for prayer meeting. It is a landmark mosque with religious significance in this particular region. Persons from the Muslim communities of this area never miss the Friday prayer in this mosque. It caters to the needs and requirements of the Muslim communities to a large extent.

Historical Significance

Spanish Mosque is built in the estate that was given as the honorific title of Paigah to Nawab Abul Fateh Khan Taig Jung Bahadur who is regarded as founder of Paigah family's second Nizam named Nawab Nizam Ali Khan. It is strongly believed that Nawab Sir Vikhar-ul-Umra Iqbal-ud-Dowla built this particular mosque with the help of a photograph or as seen in Spain to recreate it in Hyderabad. He used all the latest technology and skills of artisans to build it in a successful manner.

Spanish Mosque Architecture Significance

Spanish Mosque was built with Moorish or Hispanic style and pattern of architecture. On the other hand, it is said to be one-of-its-unique kind in India. It is to be highly noted that special feature is the unique spires instead of the usual domes or minarets; they give this particular mosque a Christian church-like appearance in general. It has a pointed main roof with pointed arches that composed of two truncated octagonal pyramids that are perfectly placed just one above the other best intervened by rightly placed octagonal domes. On the other hand, at corners of the parapet, the minarets are placed aesthetically in the same style and pattern. There are also certain special features of local mosques incorporated in this mosque with a lot of perfection. This mosque comprises of a central corridor for directly entering the hall, Quranic different verses in exquisite calligraphy largely inscribed on the inside walls, a courtyard, Moorish arches inside the prayer hall, two rooms in front of it and a main prayer hall. With stone masonry in best quality lime mortar is used in building up to the basement of this mosque. On the other hand, in brick masonry in lime mortar, the supernatural structure of this mosque is built with perfection. It is to be highly noted that with brick and lime concrete, the roof is rightly built in jack roof type on girders of hard iron. It is to be remembered that small turrets, minarets, domes are well-built with strong bricks and stone masonry. The dome at the central of this mosque has a screen in perforated shape. The outer position of this mosque is perfectly plastered with lime mortar. It is largely influenced by Umayyad Caliphate of Spain which was a part of Umayyad dynasty.

Festivals at Spanish Mosque

In the Spanish mosque, all the festivals that are marked in the Islamic calendar are celebrated with special prayer and festive manner. All the local people participate with much commitment and dedication with family members, relatives and friends at this particular mosque.