Time travel with me to the late 18th century, right here at Khoja Jama Masjid. This Sunni Friday mosque stands proudly in South Mumbai, near Crawford Market. But its story begins long before the towering structure you see today.
In 1775, a Konkani Muslim merchant owned a large water reservoir. Gardens and open land surrounded it. He agreed to let a mosque be built here. His condition was simple. The water tank had to be preserved. This marked the beginning of the Khoja Jama Masjid.
Construction started in 1775. But disagreements with neighbors caused delays. Illegal construction to the west and south added to the problems. Finally, Sir Meadows Taylor, the Governor of Bombay, intervened. He decided in favor of the mosque. By 1802 or AH 1217, the Khoja Jama Masjid was finally complete. People saw it as “The ship of the world to come.” The name alluded to its construction on the tank.
Initially, it was just a one-storey building over the tank. Then, in 1814, Mohammad Ali Roghay, a Konkani merchant, provided support. A top floor was added to the Khoja Jama Masjid.
From 1770 to 1802, Sat Tad Masjid served as Mumbai’s Friday mosque. This was while the Khoja Jama Masjid was still being built.
The Khoja Jama Masjid is a quadrangular structure. It is made of brick and stone. The Indo-Islamic style is clearly visible. It is surrounded by terrace-roofed buildings. These buildings have two stories. Shops occupy the ground floors.
The main eastern gate leads to an open courtyard. Here lies the ancient tank. Masonry steps and embankments now surround it. This tank was rebuilt in 1893. It holds about 3.0 meters of water. Springs at the bottom feed it. Gold and silver fish swim here. You might even spot a few turtles.
The tank is used for wudu. This is the ritual washing before prayer. Modern sanitation facilities are also available. Sixteen black stone arches rise from the tank’s depths. These arches, built in 1874, support the mosque’s structure. The upper story rests on five rows of wooden pillars. Each pillar has a space for sacred books. Large windows were added in 1898 on the north, east, and south sides. A madrasa was built in 1902.
Spanning over 0.40 hectares, this two-storey mosque is managed by the Juma Masjid of Bombay Trust. The Khoja Jama Masjid houses a digitised library. It contains rare manuscripts dating back to the 1890s. It is a key mosque for Sunnis. Konkani Muslims primarily manage it. They follow the Shafie madhab.
Eleven directors manage the Khoja Jama Masjid’s properties and affairs. They are elected every three years. The Konkani Muslim Jamat elects them. A Nazir handles executive functions. The board appoints the Nazir. The mosque staff includes an Imam, an assistant Imam, a Bangi, and an assistant Bangi. Their job is to call devotees to prayer.
Located on Janjikar Street in Kalbadevi, the Khoja Jama Masjid is near Dhobi Talao. Zaveri Bazar lies to the west. Abdul Rehman Street is to the east. The nearest train stations are Marine Lines and Masjid Bunder. Buses to Mahatma Phule Market also provide access.
So, remember the Khoja Jama Masjid. It is more than just a mosque. It is a testament to history. It is a blend of cultures. It is a symbol of faith.