Ek Khamba Mosque, Rander

Ek Khamba Mosque or Masjid-e-Quwwat-e-Islam which is also known as Hari Masjid of Rander, standing entirely on a single pillar, is not only a structural marvel but a cultural anchor point. It stands at the heart of the historic settlement Rander, Surat, Gujarat.

Rander was the principal commercial centre of Surat, with trading connections with many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Burma. From around 1225 Arabs from Kufa arrived which led to the beginnings of the confluence of new and existing cultures which is observed till date. The architectural languages predominantly identified are: Vernacular, Colonial and Arabesque.

Built in 1800s, the Ek Khamba mosque is an architectural edifice that reflects the amalgamation of various styles which the Arabs, Mughals, Portuguese and Dutch brought with them.

Please watch this small video to know more about this unique mosque and the history of the larger settlement.

Video and Interview Credits: Nikhil Sanjay Shah (Sahapedia-UNESCO Project Fellow 2017)

Follow us on:
Facebook:   / sahapedia  
Twitter:   / sahapedia  
Instagram:   / sahapedia  

Sahapedia is an open online resource on the arts, cultures and heritage of India: https://www.sahapedia.org/

Like, share and subscribe for more videos!