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.
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.