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| The Lat Mosque or “Pillar Mosque,” Dhar, MP en.wikipedia.org |
The Lat Mosque (Lāṭ Masjid), literally meaning the “Pillar Mosque,” is one of the most historically significant monuments in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. Built in 1405 CE by Dilawar Khan, it commemorated his declaration of independence from the Delhi Sultanate and the foundation of the Malwa Sultanate. Designed as the congregational (jami) mosque of Dhar, it was strategically located near the south-eastern edge of the fortified city, following a pattern seen in other medieval towns such as Chanderi Fort. The mosque derives its name from the famous iron pillar (lāṭ in Hindi) that stands, in fragments, within its compound.
The construction is attributed to Dilawar Khan (c. 1405 CE) when he founded the Malwa Sultanate by declaring independence from the Delhi Sultanate. Lat Masjid,it is said,was the new mosque in Dhar at the time, the oldest being the Kamal Maula mosque (Bhojshala). that is mired in controversy between Hindus and Muslims.
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| Inscription over Lat Mosque, Dhar en.wikipedia.org |
Architecturally, the mosque reflects the transitional Indo-Islamic style of the early 15th century. The structure consists of a spacious rectangular courtyard enclosed by arcades constructed using post-and-lintel techniques. The arcades on the north, south, and east are shallow, while the western side contains the prayer hall. This hall has four bays, with a dome positioned above the mihrab. A raised platform within the hall likely functioned as a royal gallery for the Sultan, similar in concept to the arrangement at the Adina Mosque. The mihrab and minbar are relatively modest but foreshadow the more elaborate features of the Jama Masjid, Mandu built later under Hoshang Shah.
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| Location Dhar, mapsofindia.com |
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| Lat Mosque touristplaces.net.in |
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| Lat Mosque, Dhar justrippingg.blogspot.com |
The mosque incorporates both purpose-made architectural elements and spolia from earlier Hindu and Jain temples, visible in reused pillars and lintels. Its entrance gateway displays an eclectic style common to 14th–15th century architecture, comparable to features at Man Mandir Palace.
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| Iron Pillar, Lat Masjid, Dhar, MP en.wikipedia.org |
_-_Annemarie_Schwarzenbach_-_SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-22-138.jpg) |
| Lat Masjid, Dhar en.wikipedia.org image from the Swiss National Library |
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| Old image Dhar justrippingg.blogspot.com |
Above image : Lat Masjid photo taken by Henry Cousens. The Iron Pillar leans against the masonry basement with the mosque's northern portico visible in the back. The big boulders seen on top were apparently anchors that held the pillar upright. Interestingly, the lower end is pointing up Records point out that Dhar had lots of temples built during the reign of Parmars. But a preponderance of them of were destroyed to build the Kamal Maula Mosque that today is known as Bhojshala which is in Court litigation.There seemed to be enough construction materials left to build another mosque nearby...........
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| Lat Mosque, Dhar, MP wikiwand.com |
The iron pillar remains the mosque’s most intriguing feature. Though undated and uninscribed, scholars suggest it may belong to the Paramara period, possibly the reign of Arjunavarman (early 13th century). In 1531, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attempted to remove it to Gujarat, but it broke during the process. Emperor Akbar later visited Dhar and left a Persian inscription on the pillar. In the 1980s, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conserved the fragments, relocating them to a secure platform within the compound for display.
Protected as a Monument of National Importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, the Lat Mosque today stands as a testament to Dhar’s medieval political transformation and its layered architectural heritage.
Archaeological Survey of India records
Ramamurthy Balasubramanian, studies on the Dhar iron pillar Central India Gazetteers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lat_Mosque
http://justrippingg.blogspot.com/2019/01/lat-masjid-search-of-pillar.html
https://www.touristplaces.net.in/dhar-mp/lat-masjid
https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/trails/dhar-iron-pillar
K. N. Jayaraman
