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<p>Muslim reformer and scholar Sir Syed Ahmed Khan is credited with the establishment of Mohammedan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College at Aligarh in 1875. Jama Masjid was one of the oldest structures established on the campus. The construction of the mosque was started in 1879 and completed in 1915. The Muslim population was opposed to the ideas of modern education after the violent British retaliation to the 1857 revolt in India. The orthodox sections of Muslims were dubious about Sir Syed’s establishment of a college. Sir Syed countered all criticism and skepticism surrounding his mission for education. As a part of MAO College, the Jama Masjid was built, becoming the only mosque in India that was intended for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Despite its continual usage and enormous significance, the architectural marvel of the mosque slipped into oblivion due to a lack of maintenance and insensitive interventions. It was only in the year 2016 that restoration efforts for the mosque started after initiation from the university administration. This study outlines the procedure for reclaiming and reinterpreting Aligarh Muslim University’s spiritual legacy. This study also investigates the challenges in heritage conservation and possible threats to the built heritage of a historical university. The outcomes of this research can help in developing and interpreting cultural values of built heritage as an essential part of the re-heritagization of existing structures.</p>

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Reinterpreting Jama Masjid: Restoration of a Liberal Mosque at Aligarh Muslim University

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月11日

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  • Abhishek Bhardwaj,
  • Mohammad Farhan Fazli

摘要

Muslim reformer and scholar Sir Syed Ahmed Khan is credited with the establishment of Mohammedan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College at Aligarh in 1875. Jama Masjid was one of the oldest structures established on the campus. The construction of the mosque was started in 1879 and completed in 1915. The Muslim population was opposed to the ideas of modern education after the violent British retaliation to the 1857 revolt in India. The orthodox sections of Muslims were dubious about Sir Syed’s establishment of a college. Sir Syed countered all criticism and skepticism surrounding his mission for education. As a part of MAO College, the Jama Masjid was built, becoming the only mosque in India that was intended for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Despite its continual usage and enormous significance, the architectural marvel of the mosque slipped into oblivion due to a lack of maintenance and insensitive interventions. It was only in the year 2016 that restoration efforts for the mosque started after initiation from the university administration. This study outlines the procedure for reclaiming and reinterpreting Aligarh Muslim University’s spiritual legacy. This study also investigates the challenges in heritage conservation and possible threats to the built heritage of a historical university. The outcomes of this research can help in developing and interpreting cultural values of built heritage as an essential part of the re-heritagization of existing structures.