5/5 Hazari A. 7 months ago on Google
Pathar
Masjid
is
a
magnificent
building,
unique
both
in
design
and
structural
prototype.
Although
it
was
initially
constructed
as
a
mosque,
it
was
never
used
as
such.Pathar
Masjid
was
built
by
Empress
Nur
Jahan
in
1623.
Unlike
most
other
places
of
worship
in
Kashmir
Valley,
this
mosque
was
built
with
grey
limestone.
Since
stone
in
local
language
is
known
as
pathar
and
mosque
is
known
as
masjid,
the
edifice
so
built
began
to
be
known
as
Pathar
Masjid.
It
is
to
be
remembered
that
mosques
in
Kashmir
were
generally
built
with
wood
while
most
Mughal
edifices
were
built
with
marble.
Perhaps
the
Queen
chose
limestone
because
she
realized
that
in
absence
of
a
transport
system
bringing
marble
stones
from
the
plains
would
be
an
impossible
task.
Contrarily
grey
limestone
was
found
locally;
in
addition
such
stones
could
be
carved
and
polished
easily.
Therefore,
she
decided
to
build
the
mosque
with
limestone.
Now,
it
is
said
that
Nur
Jahan
was
once
asked
about
the
building
cost
of
such
a
magnificent
structure.
The
Empress
did
not
answer
directly.
Instead
she
pointed
to
her
shoes,
which
were
embossed
with
expensive
jewels
and
said,
“As
much
as
that”.
When
this
remark
reached
the
religious
leaders
they
found
the
reference
to
be
sacrilegious
and
declared
the
masjid
to
be
unfit
for
religious
activities.
Since
then,
the
mosque
is
lying
idle.
However,
another
version
says
that
the
mosque
was
desecrated
because
of
its
architectural
style;
it
followed
a
distinct
Mughal
pattern
rather
than
indigenous
Kashmiri
style.