Shahi Masjid

Name of Monument: Shahi Masjid

Location: Baghsar

Date of Construction: Late 17th Century

Samahni has remained an important halting point for the Mughals on the way to Kashmir. These Mughal emperors used Pir Panjal pass to reach to Srinagar. Ali Mardan Khan constructed a number of sarai’s on this route for the convenience of travelers.

At Samahni besides the Baghsar fort, there are remains of Mughal period mosque which remained in use before partition of subcontinent. Being located on the international border, people left the area and abandoned this mosque. This Mughal period mosque was built sometimes in the 17th century. The mosque prayer hall is rectangular in plan. On the Qibla wall there is a deep mihrab flanked by two niches on its either side. On the north and south wall, there are square and rectangular niches. These niches as well as mihrab were decorated with fresco painting using red ochre. The soffit of the mihrab is finished with Kalib kari. The floral paintings are inspired from Lahore School.

There is a majestic gateway on the eastern side leading to the courtyard. The gateway also has a deep arch in the form of pishtaq with qalib Kari work. The mosque is in a ruinous condition. The former glory of the mosque can be imagined from the extent of fresco paintings beautifully done in the mosque.