Begumpur Mosque, Dindigul

Begumpur Mosque, Dindigul

Begumpur Mosque (also called Begumpur Big Mosque) is a mosque located in Thadikombu Road, Begumpur in Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamilnadu. Constructed in the Mughal architectural style, the mosque was built by Haidar Ali. The mosque is named after Ameerunnisa Begum, the younger sister of Hyder, who is buried in the mosque during 1766.

The mosque is the largest and one of the oldest in Dindigul and is active as a place of worship. It is administered by Prince of Arcot Endowments Trust. Most of the administrative staff of the mosque are Hindus, symbolizing peaceful coexistence between the two religions.

During the rule of Hyder Ali at Dindigul, he constructed three Mosques - One for himself for Namaz, 2nd for his soldiers underneath Rock Fort and 3rd in the south of Rock Fort for public and gave more grants for the maintenance and upkeep of the same. In Hijri 1187 (1766AD) Ameer-un-Nisha Begum, the wife of Killedar Mir Riza Ali khan and the younger sister of Hyder Ali Bahadur was dead and buried in the Begambur Mosque compound itself. A Tomb was constructed on it. In memory of the Royal lady this part of Dindigul is known as Begambur.

Being the more popular mosques, a lot of tourists come here to see the tomb of Ameer-un-Nisha and to offer prayers at the shrine. This mosque has two towering minarets and a simple Namaz area.

Though this mosque is open on all days, the best time to visit is during the Jumma prayer on Friday. One can also visit Kumaran Park, Kottai Mariamman, Perumal Kovil and Dindigul Rock Fort, all located close by.
Located in the heart of Dindigul, Begambur Big Mosque is easily accessible by bus.

History

Hyder Ali (1721 -82 CE) was the Sultan of the Kingdom of Mysore in South India. He and his wife Fakhr-un-Nisa were childless for some years and prayed at the tomb of Tipu Mastan Aulia. They also visited a Sufi saint, who assured them that they would be blessed with a child soon. Tipu was the first son of Hyder, who helped him win many of the battles. Dindigul is the place where Hyder and Tipu resided for many years.

Hyder was appointed the commandant at Dindigul in 1755 to increase the taxes and he was effective in the same. He donated a part of the funds for the development of temples and mosques in the region. Hyder's son Tipu was made the commandant of the Fort and he ruled from there from 1784 to 1790. Tipu was killed in the Mysore War of 1790, when the British forces annexed the Fort.

Hyder is believed to have constructed three mosques in Dindigul - one for himself, second for his soldiers and third for the public, which is the Begampur Mosque. During 1766, Ameerunnisa Begum, the younger sister of Hyder was dead and a tomb was built in the mosque for her.

Architecture

The mosque is named after Ameerunnisa Begum, the younger sister of Hyder, who is buried in the mosque. The place is called Begampur on account of the same. The mosque has an open terrace with an arch at the front. The tomb of Ameerunnisa is found in the first building, which has tiled roof in the fronts and a dome over the sanctum. The mosque is located behind the mausoleum.

It has two minarets and a large prayer hall. The subsidiary shrines are found around the sanctum. A Madrasa is located on the Eastern side close to the entrance.

Culture

Big Mosque is the largest and considered the principal mosque in the city of Dindigul. The mosque is an active place of worship. There is a constant flow of visitors in the mosque as it is located in one of the busiest places in Dindigul. During the sacred festivals of Bakrid and Ramzan, the devotees overflow, some of them offering prayers from the surrounding grounds.

Connectivity

Located in the heart of Dindigul, Begambur Big Mosque is easily accessible by bus. Nearest Railway Station is located at Dindigul & Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.