Kunjali Marakkar Mosque - Mosque in Iringal - Kozhikode, India

Kunjali Marakkar Mosque. Concists of Portuguese Royal Throne And Sword. But no access for public and non muslims since it is still used for religious purposes. This should be At least 500 years old . I think it should convert into a museum and build a new mosque near by for people to carry on their prayers.

The Kunjali Marakkar mosque or Jumayat Palli at Vadakara is where Malabar's brave admirals offered prayers. It houses the royal chair and sword used by them. The Marakkars, admirals of the Zamorins of Calicut are credited with organizing the first naval defence of the Indian coast. Originally marine merchants of Kozhikode, they left for Ponnani when the Portuguese came in 1498. After obtaining trading rights, the Portuguese pressurised the Zamorin to give them a trade monopoly and evict the Arabs, the traditional traders of spice. Rebuffed, the Portuguese negotiated a treaty with the Zamorin's archenemy, the Raja of Kochi in 1503. Sensing the Portuguese superiority at sea, the Zamorin set about improving his navy and appointed Kutty Ahmed Ali to the task. Kutty Ali or Kunjali (derived from Kunnu Ali, meaning Junior Ali) eventually became the Admiral of the Zamorin's fleet and was honoured with the title Marakkar, after marakalam the wooden boats used by Muslim traders to ply the seas. The old Marakkar house has been converted into a small museum and houses swords, cannon balls, daggers and other war relics. As tribute to the four Kunjali Marakkars and their great naval battles, the Indian Navy erected a memorial at Vadakara. Recognizing their contribution to naval defence, the Navy also christened its Naval Maritime academy in Mumbai as INS Kunjali.

This mosque was built by Kunhali Marakkar III (Pattu Marakkar)some 440 years ago.It was set on fire by the Portuguese captain Andre Furtado de Mendonca after the surrender of Kunhali Marakkar IV to Samuthiri in 1600 C.E.This mosque, built in typical Keralite architecture has wooden interiors and a traditional bronze lamp (Nilavilakku).

This mosque was built by Kunhali Marakkar III (Pattu Marakkar)some 440 years ago. It was set on fire by the Portuguese captain Andre Furtado de Mendonca after the surrender of Kunhali Marakkar IV to Samuthiri in 1600 C.E.This mosque, built in typical Keralite architecture has wooden interiors and a traditional bronze lamp (Nilavilakku).Kunhali Marakkar's war trophies in his naval battles with the Portuguese are proudly exhibited here. Some of these include three stone cannon balls, a Portuguese rapier (long sword),a shield and even a Portuguese throne with the image of Jesus(Christ in Majesty) engraved on it.This image is now, masked by a cloth. Presently, the throne is used as minbar (pulpit) of the mosque ! The sword is still displayed during the Friday Khutbah (sermon). The mosque has a steep wooden staircase that leads to the first floor, which is used for prayers only during eid festivals.This floor has a window on the eastern side, which served as a watchtower during the naval battles with the Portuguese. Any ship or boat passing through the river in front of the mosque could easily be noticed from here. On the western side, behind the mihrab (prayer niche showing direction of Ka'aba)wall are the graves of two distinguished persons- believed to be that of Qalandari Sufi saints. On the southern side of the mosque, is another enclosure which houses five graves purportedly of the Marakkar family. It is also believed that the tombs of the Kunjali III ,the memorial tomb of Kunhali IV and that of his mother are among these. Legend has it that, Kunhali's silk handkerchief that was in his mother's hands, miraculously turned red at the moment of his execution. It is believed that this Rumal(kerchief) is buried under his memorial tomb. Some researchers are of the opinion that two of the tombstones in this enclosure have a striking similarity with those used in Egypt. Till recently, an encrusted tile was carefully preserved in the mosque. It has been described as having a cream-coloured ground with brilliant blue ornamental design in the centre. Perhaps this was a war trophy. Its depiction closely matches that of the Portuguese Azulejo ceramic tiles used in Goa. This mosque is a protected monument under the State Archaeology Department, Kerala. Photography inside the mosque is restricted. Thacholi Othenan,the legendary hero of Malabar was a close friend of Kunhali Marakkar IV(Muhammad Ali) and used to visit this mosque during the Nerchchas held here.

Great masjid,good ambience,peaceful atmosphere

Kunjali Marakkar Mosque, Vadakara The Kunjali Marakkar mosque or Jumayat Palli at Vadakara is where Malabar's brave admirals offered prayers. It houses the royal chair and sword used by them. The Marakkars, admirals of the Zamorins of Calicut are credited with organizing the first naval defence of the Indian coast.

This is the one of the historical Masjid in Kerala , buld in 400 years ago by Kunjali Marakkar , this masjid around 300 meeter away from Kunjali Marakkar Museum at Iringal, Kottakkal, Near Calicut, this is one of the Cultural heritage tourist place.

It is the mosque made by Kunhali marakkar and some of his weapons kept over there