“Anyone know when the Piru Lane Masjid was built?” a tourist asks. Let’s journey back to a time when Mumbai was evolving. I will tell you the captivating story of the Jama Masjid, a significant landmark near Crawford Market.
The Jama Masjid’s story began in the 18th century. This area was once a large water reservoir. Gardens and open land surrounded it. A Konkani Muslim merchant owned this land. He traded in Goa and Calicut. Around 1775, the merchant agreed to build a mosque here. But there was a condition. The water tank had to stay.
Construction of the Jama Masjid started in 1775. Workers began raising the foundations on the tank. But neighbors raised objections and delayed construction until 1778. More disputes arose because of illegal construction. It was happening to the west and south of the mosque. Sir Meadows Taylor was the Governor of Bombay. He decided in favor of the mosque authorities. The mosque was completed in AH 1217. This translates to 1802 or 1803 CE. The completion date comes from the chronogram Jahaz-i- Akhirat. This means “The ship of the world to come”. The name refers to its construction on the tank.
Initially, a one-story building stood over the tank. It formed the original Jama Masjid. A top floor was added in 1814. Mohammad Ali Roghay, a Konkani merchant, supported this addition.
From 1770 to 1802, Sat Tad Masjid served as Mumbai’s Friday mosque. This was while the Jama Masjid was under construction.
The Jama Masjid has a quadrangular structure. It is made of brick and stone. The style is Indo-Islamic. Buildings encircle it and the ground floors have shops. The eastern gate leads to the ancient tank. Masonry steps and embankments surround the tank. The tank was built in 1893. It holds approximately 3.0 meters of water. Springs at the bottom feed the tank. You can even spot gold and silver fish. A few turtles also live there. The tank is used for wudu, but modern sanitation facilities are available too.
Sixteen black stone arches rise from the tank’s depth. These were constructed in 1874. The arches support the mosque’s structure. The upper story is held up by wooden pillars. Each pillar has a place for sacred books. Large windows were added in 1898. A madrasa was added in 1902.
The Jama Masjid spans over 0.40 hectares. It is run by the Juma Masjid of Bombay Trust. The mosque houses a digitised library. It contains rare manuscripts from the 1890s. The Jama Masjid is managed by Konkani Muslims. It follows the Shafie madhab.
In 1897, the High Court framed a scheme. It governs the management of the mosque. A board of eleven directors oversees its properties. The Konkani Muslim Jamat elects them every three years. A Nazir handles the executive functions. The board appoints the Nazir. The mosque staff includes an Imam, an assistant Imam, and Bangis who summon devotees to prayer.
The Jama Masjid stands in Janjikar Street in Kalbadevi. Zaveri Bazar lies to the west. Abdul Rehman Street is to the east. Marine Lines and Masjid Bunder are the nearest train stations.
The Piru Lane Masjid stands as a testament to Mumbai’s history. It reflects the blend of cultures. Take a moment to appreciate its architecture. Remember the merchant’s condition. Think of the disputes and the final completion. The Jama Masjid remains a vital part of Mumbai’s heritage.