| Masjid Manzilgah | |
| Religious Affiliation: | Islam |
| Location: | Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Festivals: | --> |
| Country: | Pakistan |
| Organizational Status: | --> |
| Functional Status: | Operational |
| Architecture Type: | Mosque |
| Architecture Style: | Islamic architecture |
| Year Completed: | 1598 |
| Date Destroyed: | --> |
| Elevation Ft: | --> |
Masjid Manzilgah (lit. Manzilgah Mosque) is a historic structure located in Sukkur, Sindh.[1] It was built by Syed Masoom Shah, the provincial governor, in 1598.[2]
Masjid Manzilgah was built in 1598 by Syed Masoom Shah.[1] Initially, the site was part of a larger complex designed to serve trade caravans and included both an inn and the mosque, each featuring ornate domes.[1] The complex, known for its ornamental domes, served both religious and practical purposes.[1] The adjacent Menara of Masoom Shah was also a significant historical structure.[1] The British, after their conquest of Sindh in 1843, repurposed the buildings for governmental use before eventually abandoning them, leading to their deterioration over time.[1] Directly opposite the mosque was Sadh Belo, an island where a Hindu temple was established in the 1820s by Nepalese sadhu Baba Bankhandi Maharaj, thus becoming a significant religious site for the local Hindu community.[1]
The Manzilgah communal riots of 1939 had their roots in a dispute over the mosque's condition and ownership.[1] The local Muslim population sought the mosque's restoration, citing its historical and religious significance.[1] Conversely, the Hindu community raised concerns regarding the mosque's proximity to their temple.[1] The British authorities maintained a neutral stance, keeping the site under government control.[1]
The political landscape shifted when Sindh became an autonomous province in 1936 under British rule.[1] The Sindh Assembly elections in 1937 resulted in a Muslim-majority government, leading to renewed demands for the mosque's restoration.[1] The Hindu community, influential in the assembly due to its economic and educational advantages, opposed these demands.[1]
Successive governments, first under Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah and then Khan Bahadur Allah Bakhsh Soomro, faced continuous pressure to address the mosque issue.[1] In 1939, following a meeting with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Sindh, expectations were raised among the Muslim community regarding the mosque's return, which met with strong resistance from the Hindu community.[1] The situation escalated into large-scale peaceful protests, adopting the 'Satyagraha' approach of nonviolent resistance. Despite arrests, the administration allowed protesters to remain near the mosque, which intensified opposition from the Hindu community.[1]
A critical turning point occurred during a Hindu Mahasabha conference in Sukkur, where B.S. Moonje's presence led to demands for the removal of Muslims from the mosque.[1] The government's subsequent forceful eviction sparked widespread communal violence across Sindh, resulting in numerous casualties and property damage.[1]
In the aftermath, the political stability in the region was severely impacted, leading to the eventual fall of the Soomro government.[1] The events surrounding Masjid Manzilgah significantly influenced the Muslim community's perception of their position in Sindh and contributed to the broader movement for a separate Muslim homeland, eventually leading to the creation of Pakistan.[1]