Amburiq Mosque

Name of Monument: Amburiq Masjid

Location: Shigar, Baltistan

Date of Construction: 14th century

Amburiq Mosque, the oldest mosques in Baltistan, is located in Shigar Valley. It was built by Sayed Ali Hamdan. Ali Sher Hamdani passed through the famous Braldu pass to Shigar with his missionaries on his journey from Yarkand in the 14th century (between 1372-1383).

 The mosque is made entirely of wood and is built in the traditional Balti style of architecture. It is considered one of the oldest and most significant examples of wooden architecture in the region. The mosque is made of wood and stone using the traditional “cribbage and cator” technique. The 14th century mud and stone and wood structure which was designed by Kashmiri architect, deviates from the conventional pattern due to its visibility from its lantern tower. A closer loser, however reveals its mosque like features that have been shaped by years of history and events that have been shaped by years of history and events that have been transpired in the Shigar valley. The mosque’s wooden structure is supported by several large wooden columns, which are intricately carved with floral and geometric patterns. The roof of the mosque is also made of wood and is adorned with.

The mosque therefore shows traces of the then prominent Buddhist culture of Baltistan leaving its imprint on the nascent Islamic way of life. It is a mixture of cultures with a typical Kashmiri pitched roof and a Tibetan tower on top. The structure resembles a wooden shell based on cribs and beams, the exterior is full of floral and bird carvings. Inside is a prayer hall with a verandah to the east that serves as an entrance hall. 

The mosque’s prayer hall is divided into two sections, with the front section reserved for the use of men, and the back section reserved for women. The walls of the mosque are decorated with colorful frescoes, which depict scenes from Islamic history and tradition. The frescoes are believed to have been painted by local artists, using traditional techniques and natural pigments.