Historical Sites Near Islamabad Receive Upgrades

APP

Islamabad: Preservation and development work on the historical Mai Qamro Mosque and Muqarab Khan Tomb is currently underway at ‘Bagh Jogian’ near Islamabad.

A senior official from the Department of Archaeology and Museum (DOAM) informed APP that these significant heritage sites are undergoing upgrades and revitalization efforts to give them a fresh appearance.

The mosque is believed to have been built by Mai Qamro, Hathi Khan Ghakkar’s wife, a Ghakkar dynasty scion in which women occupied a prestigious and influential position.

According to some architects, this mosque was constructed in the early 16th century and is a great specimen of Ghakkar architecture.

It was built on a rectangular plan and crowned with three squat domes.

The southern dome of the mosque has caved in, but the two others are in fairly good condition.

The central entrance is flanked by two recessed arches, which lend an amazing beauty to the facade of the structure.

Above the arched entrance, one finds beautiful cut-brick ornamentation.

Such embellishments cannot be found elsewhere in Potohar.

Dressed stone has been used to construct the mosque. Formerly, it was plastered, traces of which are still visible on the facade of the mosque.

Parts of the boundary wall of the mosque have survived the ravages of time. The northern boundary is still standing. The remains of the southern and eastern walls are also visible.