Facts Know about Sanskrit Mosques of Madhya Pradesh

Facts Know about Sanskrit Mosques of Madhya Pradesh

Sanskrit Mosques in Asirgarh and Burhanpur -

The term "Sanskrit Mosques" refers to two remarkable 16th-century mosques in the Khandesh region (modern-day Madhya Pradesh, India): the Asir Masjid in Asirgarh Fort and the Jama Masjid in Burhanpur. 

These structures are unique for their bilingual inscriptions in Arabic (for Muslim patrons and religious content) and Sanskrit (in Devanagari script, providing dates and details in the Hindu calendar system). 

They represent a rare example of Indo-Islamic syncretism, blending Persian-Islamic architecture with Indian elements and multilingual epigraphy to foster cultural harmony. 

There are only two such mosques documented with these bilingual features in this context—one in Asirgarh and one in Burhanpur. 

Both were commissioned by the same ruler as royal congregational mosques, emphasizing the Faruqi dynasty's policy of religious tolerance amid a diverse Hindu-Muslim population.

These mosques were built during a period of regional autonomy for the Faruqis, who ruled Khandesh as semi-independent sultans under loose Delhi Sultanate/Mughal suzerainty. 

The inscriptions highlight the builders' genealogy and the merits of mosque construction, with Sanskrit used to make the information accessible to local Hindu subjects, symbolizing inclusivity.

Historical Context of the Faruqi Dynasty -

Burhanpur was the capital of the Faruqi dynasty (1382-1601)  of rulers of Khandesh when they shifted their capital from Thalner to Burhanpur which is said to be founded as a city in 1399 by Malik Nasir Faruqi at the behest of a famous saint Sheikh Zain-ud-din. 

It was named for another saint Sheikh Burhan-ud-din of the Bohra Shia Muslim community who stayed here for a long time and died at Daulatabad. Burhanpur remaied the capital of the Faruqi Sultans for nearly two hundred years till it was sacked by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1601. 

It is now a district headquarter of the State of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) of India. Asirgarh fort is situated at about 22 km.distance from Burhanpur city. 

The Jama Masjid of this fort also has a bilingual inscription in Sanskrit and Arabic on its Mihrab that mentions Adil Shah, the Faruqi Sultan, as its builder. 

The Faruqi dynasty (also spelled Farooqi) emerged in the late 14th century as a branch of the Afghan Lodi tribe, ruling the strategic Khandesh sultanate (between the Narmada and Tapti rivers). 

Khandesh controlled key trade routes and passes like the one guarded by Asirgarh Fort, known as the "Gateway to the Deccan." 

The dynasty promoted cultural fusion, patronizing both Islamic and Hindu traditions to maintain stability in a region with significant Hindu populations.

Founder: Nasir Khan (r. c. 1399–1437), who established Burhanpur in 1399 CE, naming it after the Sufi saint Burhan-ud-din Gharib.

Capital: Initially Thal (near modern Burhanpur), later Burhanpur.

Peak: Under rulers like Adil Khan I (r. 1461–1501), who expanded territory.

Decline: Frequent conflicts with the Mughals; annexed by Akbar in 1601 CE after the siege of Asirgarh.

Post-Faruqi Rule: Mughal control (until Aurangzeb's death in 1707), followed by Marathas (Peshwas, Holkars, Shindes), and British (until 1947).

The dynasty's use of Sanskrit in official inscriptions was not isolated; it reflected a broader "Sultans of Sanskrit" trend among Deccan rulers, who employed Brahmin scholars for administration and legitimacy.

Details on the Asir Masjid (Asirgarh Fort)

Location and Significance: 

Perched on the summit of Asirgarh Hill (one of India's "Seven Impregnable Forts"), this mosque served as the royal prayer hall for the fort's garrison. The fort, dating back to the 9th century (originally held by Rajputs), was rebuilt by the Faruqis in the 15th century. 

The mosque underscores Asirgarh's role as a military chokepoint.Builder and Why: 

Commissioned by Raja Ali Khan (Adil Shah IV, r. 1577–1597) to symbolize his piety and rule. The Sanskrit inscriptions likely aimed to integrate Hindu elites, as Khandesh had a Hindu majority; Raja Ali was known for allying with Rajput chiefs and employing Hindu officials.Architecture and Facts:Size: 935 ft long × 40 ft wide; open courtyard for 1,000+ worshippers.

Design: 

Indo-Islamic style with Indian influences—no dome or traditional roof; instead, intersecting symmetrical arches form a natural ceiling. 

Flanked by ruined minarets; features a mihrab (prayer niche) on the qibla wall.

Materials: Local stone, with some Persianate elements like arched facades.

Unique Feature: Ruins include barracks and a nearby Shiva temple, highlighting coexistence.

Inscriptions:Bilingual (Arabic above, Sanskrit below) over the mihrab: 

Quranic verses on mosque-building merits; lists Raja Ali Khan's genealogy (tracing to Afghan origins); dated to 1590 CE.

Identical to Burhanpur's, but in a more fortified setting.

The mosque was damaged during Akbar's 1601 siege but repaired under Mughals.

Details on the Jama Masjid (Burhanpur)

Location and Significance: In central Burhanpur at Gandhi Chowk, this was the city's principal Friday mosque, reflecting its status as Khandesh's capital. 

It linked trade routes and symbolized Faruqi prosperity.Builder and Why: Also by Raja Ali Khan (Adil Shah IV), as a grand congregational mosque. 

The bilingual approach promoted secular harmony, appealing to Hindu merchants and nobles in a cosmopolitan city. Calligrapher: Mustafa (Arabic portions).

Architecture and Facts:Size: 

Prayer hall 5 bays deep; courtyard with 15 arched openings on the facade.

Design: Flat-roofed (roofless today), with 17 mihrab niches; two 36m-high minarets (five-storied, plain). 

Symmetrical black stone pillars (sourced from Mandu) interlock to support the structure without blocking imam visibility.

Materials: Heavy black basalt; transportation was a major expense (paid in gold).

Unique Feature: Only active mosque in India with Sanskrit-Arabic epigraphy; hosts community prayers.

Inscriptions:Central mihrab: Arabic Quranic text praising mosque construction.

Southern mihrab: Bilingual—Arabic details patron/genealogy; Sanskrit (Devanagari) gives inauguration as 10th Pausha, Samvat 1646 (January 5, 1590 CE).

Additional: Akbar's 1601 Persian plaque records his journey from Allahabad to Burhanpur and Lahore post-conquest (calligrapher: Muhammad Masoom).

Repaired by Aurangzeb in the 17th century.

Timeline of Key Events  -

c. 1370–1400

Rise of Faruqis

Nasir Khan declares independence from Delhi Sultanate; founds Burhanpur (1399) as a trade hub.

1461–1501

Reign of Adil Khan I

Expansion of Khandesh; early cultural patronage, including Hindu temples alongside mosques.

1570s–1580s

Ascension of Raja Ali Khan (Adil Shah IV)

Son of Miran Mubarak Shah; focuses on fortification and architecture to assert legitimacy amid Mughal threats.

1588

Construction begins on Asir Masjid

Commissioned by Raja Ali Khan; fortifies Asirgarh as a defensive stronghold.

1588–1589

Construction begins on Jama Masjid, Burhanpur

Started in AH 997 (1588/89 CE); completed in one year using black stone from Mandu (transport cost in gold).

January 5, 1590

Inauguration of both mosques

Dated in bilingual inscriptions (Hindu Samvat 1646, Saka year); Asir Masjid built slightly earlier as a prototype.

1601

Mughal Conquest

Akbar besieges and captures Asirgarh after six months; adds Persian inscription to Burhanpur mosque commemorating his visit.

1601–1707

Mughal Repairs

Akbar and Aurangzeb renovate both mosques; Burhanpur becomes Mughal suba headquarters.

18th–19th Century

Maratha and British Era

Structures fall into partial ruin; Asirgarh used as military outpost until British abandonment post-1947.

Present (2025)

Heritage Status

Both are protected Monuments of National Importance; Asir Masjid in ruins but accessible; Jama Masjid active for prayers.

In short to the point - 

Asirgarh Mosque (Asirgarh Fort, Madhya Pradesh)

• Built in: 1590 CE

• By: Farooqi ruler Raja Ali Khan (also known as Adil Khan)

• Location: Inside Asirgarh Fort, near Burhanpur

• Design: Similar to Burhanpur’s Jama Masjid; features intersecting arches instead of a traditional roof

• Inscriptions: Arabic and Sanskrit detailing the builder’s name and genealogy

• Fort Structure: Three levels—Malaygarh (lowest), Kamargarh (middle, built by Aurangzeb), and Asirgarh (highest, oldest)

• Strategic Role: Fort was nearly impregnable and crucial for controlling Deccan access

• Cultural Blend: Reflects Hindu-Muslim architectural synthesis

Jama Masjid, Burhanpur

• Built in: Late 16th century, after Asirgarh Mosque

• By: Farooqi dynasty, possibly under Raja Ali Khan’s patronage

• Location: Burhanpur city, on the banks of the Tapti River

• Inscriptions: Multilingual—Arabic and Sanskrit, a rare combination

• Historical Role: Burhanpur was a Mughal secondary capital and trade hub

• Founded by: Nasir Khan of the Farooqi dynasty in 1399 CE

• Mughal Takeover: Akbar conquered Burhanpur around 1600 CE

• Architectural Style: Indo-Islamic with regional influences

Key Facts

• Only two known mosques with Sanskrit inscriptions: Asirgarh Mosque and Jama Masjid, Burhanpur

• Built by the Farooqi dynasty, which ruled Khandesh before Mughal annexation

• Inscriptions serve as historical records of rulers and cultural synthesis

• These mosques are part of larger complexes that include temples, churches, and gurudwaras—especially in Asirgarh Fort

• They reflect a rare moment of architectural and linguistic harmony between Islamic and Indic traditions

Bilingual Inscription in Sanskrit (in lower part)and Arabic (on top) 

in south mihrab of Shahi Jama masjid at Burhanpur 

The Sanskrit inscription placed below the Arabic inscription 

in this Mihrab is inscribed in excellent Devnagari script. It 

prvides the astronomical position, time, date and year according 

to the Indian Samvat calendar (1646) for the commencement of the 

construction of the mosque. The name of the builder Adil Shah and 

his father Mubarak Shah are mentioned therafter.

Further Reading Suggested - 

S.A.Rahim:Inscriptions of Faruqi kings from Burhanpur,essay in 

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA 1961 (Archaeological Survey of India,Reprint 1987) 

Haji Atiq-ullah Khan: Aasaar-e-Burhanpur,Burhanpur Guide (in 

Hindi),Publisher-Syed Tilat Tamjid Bukhari,Mutawalli,Shahi Jama 

Masjid, Burhanpur.