A 400 Years Mosque – In Oblivion
“Jayantipur” “Bor” “Majid” of Kuwaritol Kaliabor is one of the oldest mosques in India established in the year 1570 AD. It is in its 437th year of existence. The historical reference goes back to the year 1532 when general Turbak of the Mughal army was defeated by an Ahom King “Swargadeo Suhunhmung” in the great battle of Hatbor and Duimunisila at Kaliabor. 900 Muslim soldiers were made prisoners.
These soldiers were later on known as “Moria”. A section of them made their settlement at Jayantipur, Kaliabor. During the later part of the Ahom rule, this Moria Muslim community established a mosque made of bamboo and thatch and in the year 1570 AD a concrete structure was erected at its place. Another structure was erected in 1575 AD at a distance from the original Mosque. The legend goes that a skilled Hindu mason was brought from Dhaka in Bangladesh for the construction. He was a skilled hand in Islamic architecture and with his guidance the mosque took shape. Decorative materials were brought from places as far as Rajasthan. Each and every villager contributed for the construction. Still now the folk songs abounds in reference to the legend of the labour contribution. One of the folk songs says like this.
Pitre Momin, Pitre Bhai
Ji Nipite, Pithar bhag Nai.
It means – contribute your labour O’ brothers.
Those who do not work, will not get bread.
The architectural construction bears testimony to the communal harmony between Hindus and Muslim. Although a Mosque, the structure bears resemblance to a ‘Namghar’ (a Hindu place of worship). The architectural decoration inside the mosque using glass pieces is unique in Assam. Another communal integration of Hindus and Muslims in Assam can be observed here. Between the two structures of the mosques, a functioning ‘Namghar’ exists without any controversy.
Presently the Mosque is in depilated condition and needs immediate restoration. The villagers of “Jayantipur” is trying their level best to do the work but the quality and quantum of work needs skill hands and huge funds which is impossible for a village to do. If the government or any other agency takes the initiative to restore and popularize the mosque, this site can be important palace for religious tourism.