Historical Heritage Bhong Masjid

The mosque is famous for its excellent design, unique architecture, and attractive calligraphy. Sardar Raees Ghazi Muhammad started the construction of this mosque in 1932

Some About

Rahim Yar Khan District has a special significance in terms of history, civilization, and culture be it historical buildings or forts, rivers or deserts, fields, or urban populations, Rahim Yar Khan has a distinct identity in every respect, There is also a masjid which is called a masterpiece of architecture. Bhong Masjid is located in Bhong, a village in Sadiqabad Tehsil, Rahim Yar Khan District

 

Where Situated

The mosque is located 240 km from Bahawalpur and about 55 km from Rahim Yar Khan. This mosque is famous for its excellent design, unique architecture, and attractive calligraphy. Sardar Raees Ghazi Mohammad started the construction of this mosque in 1932, one of the caliphs of his ancestor Hazrat Bahauddin Zakaria (may Allah have mercy on him). Were

 

Who Constructed

Raees Muhammad Ghazi was also an honorary magistrate and a member of the Bahawalpur Assembly Despite having a lot of wealth, he lived a pious life. His life's mission was to acquire religious education, worship, and practice, social work, and build mosques in different areas.

 

Raees Ghazi Muhammad gave instructions for the construction of the Bhong Mosque near his family palace-like house in 1932 and provided a lot of funds. He took a personal interest in each phase of construction, However, Master Abdul Hameed was appointed to supervise the construction of the mosque supervised the construction mosque with great diligence and attention.

For the construction of the mosque, red stone, marble stone, salt stone, gray stone, and the black stone was imported from Austria, Hungary, Italy, and other countries. Hundreds of artisans were hired to cut and carve these stones, make flowers on tiles, engrave and calligraphy, work fine and fine work on sandalwood, engrave and make gold flowers

 

History

The mosque was completed in about fifty years from 1932 to 1982. In those fifty years, thousands of artisans from Pakistan and India took part in the construction of the mosque. During the construction of the mosque, many artisans became old and many died. His sons and some of his grandchildren took over the responsibility.

Thus three generations took part in the construction of this mosque. All artisans were paid based on their skills and experience The skilled craftsmen were taken care of in every possible way and the wedding expenses of their children were paid for by Raees Ghazi Mohammad. These artisans also enjoyed many privileges. 

 

How to Go

At that time there were no proper means of transport from Sadiqabad to Bhong. There was no paved road. Therefore, heavy machinery and construction materials were loaded on bullock carts and camels on about 20 km of unpaved roads from Sadiqabad railway station to Bhong No formal plan was drawn up for the construction of the mosque.

An outline was in the mind of Raees Ghazi Muhammad, according to which construction was started. 

 

Struggle

Raees Ghazi Mohammad used to go to different countries, visit mosques there and change the construction of mosques according to what he liked. Thus the design of the mosque was changed many times. Many parts were rebuilt and even thirteen were rebuilt

 

Difficulties

In 1950, a new problem was identified that the mosque building was in danger of being damaged by beans. In view of this danger, the entire building that had been built by then was demolished and a 20-foot-high platform was built and a new mosque building was built on it. This added to the beauty and splendor of the mosque along with its durability.

During the construction of the mosque, Raees Ghazi Muhammad died in 1975 After his death, his eldest son, Raees Shabbir Muhammad, who was also a Darwish, took over the work of the mosque.

When the mosque was completed in 1982, it gained international fame. Tourists from all over the world started coming to see this mosque. For its beauty and uniqueness, it was awarded the Aga Khan Award in 1986 in the field of construction. On May 12, 2004, the government of Pakistan issued a stamp with a picture of the mosque

 

Library for Prayers

The Bhong Mosque also houses a large library, a madrassa, and a hujra where Raees Ghazi Muhammad used to worship. The main entrance to the mosque is similar to the main entrance to the shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza in Mashhad.

Inside is a large lawn with several acres of fountains. After passing the corridor and climbing the stairs, there is a courtyard of the mosque which is adorned with marble and black stone.

 

Capacity of Worshipers

Two thousand worshipers can pray here at the same time. Under a large dome, there is a special place for women to pray, which is called the Women's Friday Mosque. All the doors of the mosque are decorated with exquisite ivory work.

About 500 worshipers can pray on the porch of the mosque. This porch consists of eighteen pillars. Each pillar is eight feet high with the same natural color. Pure gold, silver, and precious stones have been used in the decoration of the main altar.

The sandalwood work is very fine and elegant. With its beautiful carvings, beautiful mosaics, and unique designs, this mosque amazes the tourists