Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque(Odigram)

Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque (Odigram) is one of the oldest in northern Pakistan, discovered by the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan in 1985.^[1] The mosque represents a splendid design of old Muslim architecture. In 1984 an inscription in Arabic engraved on a black marble was found by chance on the slopes of the hill below the castle of Raja Gira. The inscription attests to the foundation of a mosque in HE 440(1048–49 CE) ordered by Amir Nustagin, a Ghaznavid General (known to the history only through this inscription).^[2] The excavation carried out in the area between 1985 and 1999 brought to light a hypostyle mosque with supports originally in wood. The mosque occupies an early artificial terrace with remains of Gandharan masonary. After uncovering the ruins, the most striking aspects were traces of 30-foot-high walls, a graveyard, common rooms, student rooms and a water mill. The walls also show traces of a Buddhist stupa that was constructed before the mosque was made.^[3]

The Mosque of Odigram date back to the period of Mahmud or his grandson Maudud(1041–50 A.D.) and is therefore to be considered to be the earliest of Northern Pakistan. The people settled there around the tomb of a saint upon which a small and simple mausolem was erected. In fact, it is the tomb of the General of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi named- Pir Khushal, who defeated Raja Gira and embraced martyrdom there. The tomb is popular in the people with the name of Ghazi Baba tomb. This historical mosque is a place for visitors attractions when people visit Swat in summer.

References