- Published by
- Haroirum Afridi
- January 10, 2022
The Mahabat Khan Mosque is a 17th-century Mughal-era mosque in Peshawar (Pakistan). The mosque was built in 17th century (1630), and named after the Mughal governor of Peshawar, Nawab Mahabat Khan bin Ali Mardan Khan, known alternatively as Mahabat Khan and Ali Mardan Khan. It's an amazing piece of our heritage and of the most visited place in Peshawar.
Both the interior and exterior feature panels embellished with floral motifs and Quranic calligraphy. The interior of the prayer hall is sheltered beneath the three low fluted domes and is eloquently painted with floral and geometric designs.
The minarets of the Mohabbat Khan Mosque were frequently used in Sikh times for hanging prisoners. Five people per day were hanged from the minarets, ‘as a substitute for the gallows'. Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, refugee tribal elders would congregate in the mosque in order to forge unity amongst Afghans against the Soviets.
It was damaged in 1818 during the Sikh period, in 1849, it was restored during British rule and its restoration work continued in different periods.
