Panbari Mosque

Infobox religious building
building_name=Panbari mosque


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location=Flagicon|India Dhubri district, India
religious_affiliation=Islam
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state=Assam
district=Dhubri
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status=Mosque
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architecture_type=Mosque
architecture_style=Islamic,
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The historic Panbari Masjid or Rangamati Masjid is an excellent example of great architectural achievement of the Mughal Empire in the 15th/16th century. The masjid situated on the National Highway 31, about 25 km east from Dhubri town, near Panbari and Rangamati, is considered to be the oldest mosque in the Indian state of Assam. It was built by an able administrator Hussain Shah in between 1493 and 1519 AD who was then the Governor of Bengal. This mosque was used as a prayer hall by the Mughal Mohmmedan Soldiers. There is also an "Idgah" and a deep well which were also probably constructed during that period.

Panbari "Pahar", thus is known as the holy seat of the Muslims in Assam. The scenic beauty of the hills with its rich flora, its unique location together with the archeological importance, holds promise of becoming an important tourist spot in India. It is said that about 200 years ago, the local people of this place found this mosque in Panbari "Pahar" under the thick foliage. They cleaned this place and started to offer Namaz there.

During ‘Idd’ this mosque wears a special look. Thousands of people from different parts of the country visit this mosque. Not only the people from India but also from England and Japan visit this place. But the masjid is fast losing its glory due to lack of proper maintenance. During the reign of the Koch rulers Rangamati area was a very prosperous place. It was the frontier post of the Koch rulers. Invading army of Mughals also used Rangamati fort.

Of late, a township consisting of brick-plinths, terracotta antiquities as also horde of coins have been discovered near this mosque, which have been tentatively attributed to the Mughal regime. The area is also believed by some to be the headquarters of Hussain Shah. The Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture has taken steps to conserve these monuments.

References and External Link

* [http://dhubri.gov.in/people&culture_dhubri.htm/ Dhubri District Profile]
* http://www.indiainfoweb.com/assam/panbari/
* [http://www.islamicvoice.com/july.2000/community.htm/ ISLAMIC VOICE, JULY 2000.]
* [http://assamgovt.nic.in/districts/district.asp?disp=tour&distId=4/ Government of Assam, Official website]
* [http://www.unesco.org/archi2000/pdf/choudhury.pdf/ Choudhury, R. D.; HERITAGE OF ARCHITECTURE OF ASSAM – NEED FOR CONSERVATION, National Museum, New Delhi.]
* [http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_assam.asp/ The Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture.]