Moorish Mosque

The Moorish Mosque in Kapurthala, Punjab, is a historic mosque renowned for its distinctive Moorish architecture. Located near Shalimar Bagh in Kapurthala city, it was commissioned by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh and completed in 1930. Modeled after the Grand Mosque of Marrakesh in Morocco and designed by French architect M. Manteaux, it features red sandstone construction, marble domes, minarets and intricate arches, reflecting the Maharaja's secular vision.

Visitors can expect a large mosque set within a landscaped garden courtyard with a marble-lined interior, domes, minarets, arches and detailed woodwork. The exterior is built in red sandstone with white marble domes. Inside, the prayer hall features marble flooring and decorative elements. The surroundings include gardens and open courtyards. Visitors can explore the exterior, courtyard and prayer hall outside prayer times and observe the blend of Indo-Moorish architectural details.

Commissioned by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, the ruler of Kapurthala State, and built between 1927 and 1930. The Maharaja, inspired by the Grand Mosque of Marrakesh during his visit to Morocco, engaged French architect M. Manteaux to design it. It was built to serve the large Muslim population of the state at the time and was constructed at a cost of about Rs. 6 lakhs. It remains a prominent example of Moorish architecture in India.

The mosque is noted as a symbol of secular patronage and architectural eclecticism under Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, who commissioned buildings in varied styles. It serves as an active place of worship and a cultural landmark showcasing Moorish and Indo-Islamic architectural influences in Punjab. Its design and setting within the planned city of Kapurthala reflect the cultural cosmopolitanism of the former princely state.