Wallajah Mosque, also known as the big mosque of Triplicane in Chennai is not only a popular mosque but also one of the oldest ones in this region. Considered as the largest mosque, it is located on the triplicane High road and was built in 1795 by the family of Muhamad Ali Khan Wallajah, (7 July 1717 - 13 October 1795) the Nawob of Arcot. The mosque can easily accommodate a few thousands worshippers at a time.The unique feature about this mosque built in Mogul style is it is entirely made of grey granite with no wood or iron. This mosque with two 131 feet (40 m)
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| Triplicane, Chennai Wallajah Mosque en.wikipedia.org/ |
The Nawab of Arcot was a man of affable and courteous nature and had treated the Hindus well. Under his rule, many Hindus held position of power and his personal secretary was a Hindu. When you enter the mosque there is a chronogram written in Persian by Raja Makhhan Lal Bahdur Khirat, the Hindu Munshi of the Nawab, The mosque is being administered by the Prince of Arcot Endowments Trust. The prince of Arcot is being held in great esteem in Tamil Nadu and many of his employees are Hindus, symbolizing peaceful coexistence between the two religions.
In the past, the Nawab of Arcot, a loyal ally of the British moved into Chepauk Palace in 1768 and since then his descendants have been living in part of the building. The Chepauk Palace is close to Ft. St. George built by the British. During his time, a large community of Marakayar Muslims - roughly 20,000 in number moved with him to the city. It is said to be the largest Muslim community in South India after Hyderabad. Under the Arcot Nawob rule, litigation was resolved under Muslim Law irrespective of the religion of the accused. Historians strongly believe the cultural fabric of this part of Madras (Chennai) had become enriched after the mosque was built, The same location has a famous Hindu temple - Parthasarathy Temple and the Portuguese Christian Church of San Thome.
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| Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nawab of Arcot, en.wikipedia.org |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triplicane_Big_Mosque