Rayees Shah
Located near the Ganderbal’s District headquarters in Central Kashmir, Malashahi Bagh Masjid, as it is popularly known, is lying in ruins due to official apathy.
The Locals speaking to The Kashmiriyat said that the centuries-old historical Ganderbal mosque has been facing negligence from both the Waqf Board and Directorate of Archeology in Jammu Kashmir.
The Snow and inclement weather conditions over the years and then the apathy of the consecutive Governments have caused huge damage to the structure. “No Government has ever taken any step to repair the historical mosque,” a senior citizen, Ali Mohammed Dar said.
Currently, in possession of the Central Waqf Board along with 360 Kanals of Orchard land, the Mosque was built by Dara Shikoh in the 17th century for his tutor Mullah Akhoon Shah.
“The Wakf Board generates a revenue worth lakhs of rupees from the orchards every year, but has not spent a single penny for the renovation or the restoration of the historical mosque,” the Locals told The Kashmiriyat. “The structure is an apt example of Mughal architecture and rather than being declared a heritage site, the Masjid lies in a dilapidated condition.”
Legend says hundreds of people from all countries used to visit the area to visit the mosque to see its architecture, but it is a sad sight that the Mosque lies in ruins now and nobody wants to repair or renovate it, the locals added.