Places of Worship in Bangalore - Muslims and Mosques

Muslims and Mosques

The earliest recorded history of Islamic influence in Bengaluru could be traced to 1638, when the old Bengaluru Pete (now an integral part of the Bengaluru city) was conquered by Bijapur Sultan who ruled for the next 50 years. The Mughals took over in 1687 and leased the town and the surrounding areas to Chikkadeva Raya Wodeyar of the Kingdom of Mysore, in 1690 AD. Chikkadeva Raya Wodeyar (1673 AD –1704 AD) built an oval-shaped fort south of the old mud fort and after his death in 1704 AD, the rule of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan ensued till Tippu's death at the hands of British forces in 1790. It was during this period that mosques and dargas were built in Bengaluru.

Thus, over a period of 370 years from the earliest rule of the Bijapur Sultan in 1638, Muslim shrines (mosques or masjids and darghas) have been built which now number more than 400 and indicates the large Muslim population of the city. Some of the important mosques and darghas in Bangalore are discussed below.