Tanka Mosque Rohri – History of Tikki Wali Mosque
Discover Tanka Mosque Rohri, also known as Tikki Wali Mosque, its history, founder Syed Mahmood Gilani, architecture and historic surroundings.
Introduction
Tanka Mosque Rohri is one of the historic mosques of Rohri, Sindh, located in the present-day Dhora Line area. The mosque is also popularly known as Tikki Wali Mosque, while historical accounts refer to it as Tanka Mosque. Its history is connected with the old neighbourhood, the Gilani Sayyids of Rohri and the social and religious life of the city.
The history of Tanka Mosque Rohri also provides an interesting glimpse into the old economic life of Rohri. The neighbourhood where the mosque stands was once known as Kagzi Mohalla, where small-scale paper-making workshops existed during the nineteenth century. Historical documents mention craftsmen who were associated with this traditional paper industry.
According to the historical account, Tanka Mosque Rohri was built by Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani, who had settled in Rohri during the Mughal period. The mosque later became known as Tikki Wali Mosque. Its surviving structure, domes, surrounding history and connection with the Gilani family make it an important part of Rohri’s cultural heritage.
Quick Answer
What is Tanka Mosque Rohri?
Tanka Mosque Rohri is an old historic mosque located in the Dhora Line area of Rohri, Sindh. It is popularly known today as Tikki Wali Mosque.
Who built Tanka Mosque?
According to the historical account provided in Rohri Ji Saadhi Tin Pur-Raunq Sadiyun, the mosque was built by Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani, who used savings from his daily allowance to construct the mosque.
Where is Tanka Mosque located?
The mosque is located in the Dhora Line locality of Rohri, Sindh, Pakistan.
Why is it called Tikki Wali Mosque?
The mosque was historically known as Tanka Mosque. With the passage of time, its name changed in popular usage and it became known as Tikki Wali Mosque.
Location of Tanka Mosque Rohri
Dhora Line, Rohri
Tanka Mosque Rohri is situated in the present-day Dhora Line neighbourhood of Rohri city in Sindh. Historical information states that the area was formerly known as Kagzi Mohalla.
The location is historically significant because the neighbourhood was not only associated with religious and community activities but also with traditional paper-making. This gives the mosque a wider historical context beyond its religious importance.
Historical Location Context
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Mosque | Tanka Mosque |
| Popular Name | Tikki Wali Mosque |
| City | Rohri |
| District | Sukkur District |
| Province | Sindh |
| Locality | Dhora Line |
| Former Area Name | Kagzi Mohalla |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Historical Association | Gilani Sayyids of Rohri |
Kagzi Mohalla and the Old Paper Industry
Paper Making in 1838
Before discussing the history of Tanka Mosque Rohri, it is important to understand the historical background of the neighbourhood. The area was formerly called Kagzi Mohalla, a name associated with paper-making activities.
According to the historical information, four small paper-making workshops existed in the locality in 1838. One of these workshops belonged to Joru Mal, who employed four Muslim workers. Paper was produced from pulp made from the leaves of bhang plants.
Joru Mal’s workshop had a total capital of about 100 rupees, while each of his four Muslim workers received four and a half paisa as daily wages. The paper produced there was used locally in Rohri and surrounding areas and was also purchased by people associated with the British cantonment at Sukkur.
Names of Traditional Craftsmen
Historical documents also preserve the names of several craftsmen associated with paper-making in the area. These craftsmen were reportedly alive in 1844.
- Lalo and Yarl, sons of Muhammad Umar bin Tanwar Kagzi
- Allah Dando bin Ramzan Kagzi
- Fazal and Peeral, sons of the late Chandar bin Dhani Dando Kagzi
- Koro bin Chodha bin Dhani Dando
These names provide a valuable glimpse into the traditional occupations that existed around the area where Tanka Mosque Rohri stands today.
Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani and the Mosque
Arrival of the Gilani Sayyids in Rohri
The Gilani Sayyids have lived in Rohri for a long period. According to family tradition, their ancestor Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani was among the prominent members of the family who came to Rohri.
Family tradition states that Syed Mahmood’s ancestors were originally associated with Nishapur. After migrating towards the Indian subcontinent, Syed Mahmood Gilani eventually arrived in Rohri during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
According to the account, Syed Mahmood came from Rohtas Garh to Rohri around 1630 along with Sheikh Ainuddin Saqafi and several other religious figures. The two elders eventually purchased houses in Rohri’s Naqadi locality and settled there.
Imam of Jamia Masjid Fateh Khan
Syed Mahmood Gilani was appointed Imam of Jamia Masjid Fateh Khan, which was located near the Indus River close to War Mubarak.
For his livelihood, he was granted a daily allowance of two tankas of silver from the Khalsa Jagir of Ladhi Gagan Pargana.
Historical documents mentioned in the account indicate that this allowance was stopped on more than one occasion but was later restored after officials confirmed his entitlement.
How Tanka Mosque Was Built
From Daily Allowance to a Historic Mosque
The story of Tanka Mosque Rohri is particularly interesting because the mosque is traditionally connected with the savings of its founder.
Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani used the two silver tankas he received each day to support his household. According to the historical account, he also saved some of this income over time.
These savings were eventually used to construct the mosque in the present-day Dhora Line area. Because of its association with the word Tanka, the mosque became known as Tanka Mosque and later, through popular usage, came to be called Tikki Wali Mosque.
Another Historical Tradition
There is also another tradition concerning the construction of the mosque. According to a روایت attributed to Ali Mardan Qazi, Gadu Mal’s book Sindh Ke Qadeem Shehar reportedly attributed the construction of the mosque to another person.
However, the book is now considered rare or unavailable, and further details of this version could not be confirmed from the information provided. The death of Ali Mardan Qazi also meant that the matter could not be investigated further through him.
This difference in historical traditions is important because it shows that some details concerning Tanka Mosque Rohri require further documentary research.
Tikki Wali Mosque During the British Period
Religious and Community Activities
During the British period, the neighbourhood around the mosque remained connected with religious and community activities.
Historical accounts mention a madrassa run by Maulvi Allah Bakhsh, who was regarded as a learned religious scholar and respected elder of his time.
The area also had connections with traditional Muharram processions. The account mentions that the procession associated with the seventh of Muharram passed through this locality.
Traditional Processions Near the Mosque
Another historical detail relates to the coffin procession associated with Syed Ali Shah, which was traditionally carried near Tikki Wali Mosque. According to the account, this practice later came to an end.
Such details demonstrate how the area around Tanka Mosque Rohri was once an active centre of religious and community traditions.
Architecture of Tanka Mosque Rohri
Domes and Original Structure
The surviving structure of Tanka Mosque Rohri contains a large central dome accompanied by two smaller domes on the sides.
According to the account, a veranda was added to the front of the mosque at a later stage. The veranda does not appear to be fully compatible with the mosque’s original architectural structure, suggesting that it was a subsequent addition.
The mosque therefore represents not only a religious building but also a structure that has changed over time according to the needs of its community.
A Lost Grave Beside the Mosque
There was reportedly a grave beside the mosque in the past. However, according to the account, visible traces of this grave can no longer be clearly identified.
This is another example of how historic structures can lose some of their original surroundings as neighbourhoods develop and change.
Visiting and Documenting the Mosque
A Visit During Ramadan
The mosque was visited by the writer and Syed Abdul Hussain Mousavi on the 27th of Ramadan.
The caretaker allowed them to go onto the roof and also provided a ladder. From the roof, photographs of the mosque were taken, providing an opportunity to observe its domes and structure more closely.
Such personal documentation is valuable for historical places like Tanka Mosque Rohri, particularly when many details of their past are preserved through local traditions, old documents and historical writings.
Tomb of Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani
Gilani Sayyids Cemetery
The founder associated with Tanka Mosque Rohri, Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani, is also remembered through his tomb.
His tomb is located near the Eidgah of Rohri, in the cemetery associated with the Gilani Sayyids.
For visitors interested in the history of Rohri, the mosque and the tomb together provide an opportunity to explore the historical association of the Gilani family with the city.
Historical Importance of Tanka Mosque
Why This Mosque Matters
Tanka Mosque Rohri is important because its story connects several different aspects of Rohri’s history.
The mosque is associated with the Gilani Sayyids, Mughal-era history, traditional paper-making, religious education, local customs and the changing architecture of an old neighbourhood.
Rather than viewing the mosque only as an old religious building, its history provides a window into the social and economic life of Rohri across different periods.
Key Historical Points
- Tanka Mosque is located in the historic Dhora Line area of Rohri.
- The area was formerly known as Kagzi Mohalla.
- Small-scale paper-making workshops existed there in the nineteenth century.
- Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani is traditionally regarded as the founder of the mosque.
- The mosque is now popularly known as Tikki Wali Mosque.
- Its structure includes one large dome and two smaller domes.
- The mosque has connections with the religious and community history of old Rohri.
- The tomb of Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani is located near Rohri’s Eidgah.
Tanka Mosque Rohri Historical Timeline
| Period / Year | Historical Event |
|---|---|
| c. 1630 | Syed Mahmood Gilani is traditionally said to have arrived in Rohri during Shah Jahan’s period |
| Mughal Period | Syed Mahmood Gilani served as Imam of Jamia Masjid Fateh Khan |
| Mughal Period | A daily allowance of two silver tankas was associated with his livelihood |
| Later Period | Savings from the allowance are traditionally linked with construction of Tanka Mosque |
| 1838 | Four small paper-making workshops were recorded in Kagzi Mohalla |
| 1844 | Several paper-making craftsmen mentioned in historical documents were alive |
| British Period | A madrassa of Maulvi Allah Bakhsh existed in the locality |
| Later Period | Tanka Mosque became popularly known as Tikki Wali Mosque |
| Present Day | The historic mosque remains in Dhora Line, Rohri |
Conclusion
Tanka Mosque Rohri, popularly known as Tikki Wali Mosque, is an important historical monument connected with the old cultural landscape of Rohri. Its story is linked with the Gilani Sayyids, the Mughal period, traditional religious life and the historical neighbourhood in which it stands.
The history of Tanka Mosque Rohri also takes us back to the old Kagzi Mohalla, where paper-making was once an important local craft. The existence of small paper workshops in the nineteenth century gives us a glimpse of the economic activities that once surrounded this historic mosque.
Today, the mosque’s large central dome, two smaller domes and later additions preserve part of its architectural character. Along with the tomb of Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani near the Rohri Eidgah, the mosque remains an important part of the historical heritage of Rohri. Further research into old documents and rare historical books may reveal even more about the origin and construction of this remarkable mosque.
Historical References
- Rohri Ji Saadhi Tin Pur-Raunq Sadiyun — Research and compilation by Syed Abdul Hussain Mousavi
- The Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. IX, Part II, July–December 1840, New Series
- Historical information attributed to Imdad Hussain Shah Rohri
- Oral and family traditions concerning the Gilani Sayyids of Rohri
- Historical account concerning the traditional paper-making industry of Kagzi Mohalla
FAQ,s.
What is Tanka Mosque Rohri?
Tanka Mosque Rohri is a historic mosque located in the Dhora Line area of Rohri, Sindh. It is also popularly known as Tikki Wali Mosque.
Where is Tanka Mosque located?
Tanka Mosque is located in the Dhora Line locality of Rohri city, in Sukkur District, Sindh, Pakistan.
What is the other name of Tanka Mosque?
Tanka Mosque is commonly known today as Tikki Wali Mosque. The mosque was historically associated with the name Tanka Mosque.
Who built Tanka Mosque Rohri?
According to the historical account, Tanka Mosque was built by Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani, a prominent member of the Gilani Sayyid family of Rohri.
Why is it called Tanka Mosque?
The mosque is traditionally associated with Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani’s daily allowance of two silver tankas. According to the historical account, he saved part of this income and used his savings to construct the mosque.
What was the area around Tanka Mosque called in the past?
The area where the mosque is located was formerly known as Kagzi Mohalla. The locality was associated with small-scale paper-making activities during the nineteenth century.
What was produced in Kagzi Mohalla?
Historical information states that several small paper-making workshops operated in Kagzi Mohalla. In 1838, four small workshops were recorded, and the locally produced paper served Rohri and surrounding areas.
What are the architectural features of Tanka Mosque?
The mosque has one large central dome and two smaller domes on its sides. A veranda was added to the front of the mosque at a later period and appears different from the original structure.
Where is the tomb of Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani?
The tomb of Syed Mahmood Shah Gilani is located near the Eidgah of Rohri, in the cemetery associated with the Gilani Sayyids.
Way is Tanka Mosque Rohri historically important?
Tanka Mosque Rohri is significant because its history connects the religious, cultural and economic heritage of old Rohri. Its story includes the Gilani Sayyids, Mughal-era history, traditional paper-making and the historic Dhora Line neighbourhood.