The Barwada Mosque ©RohitSinghNegi

The Barwada Mosque, also known as Juni Masjid (Old Mosque), is located in Ghogha, a town in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India. It is situated on the mid-western bank of the Gulf of Khambhat, an area historically significant as a bustling port for trade with Arab regions. This small stone structure, measuring approximately 15 by 40 feet, is often cited as one of the oldest mosques in India, potentially dating back to the early 7th century.

What sets the Barwada Mosque apart is its qibla—the direction Muslims face during prayer—which points toward Jerusalem rather than Mecca. In Islamic tradition, Jerusalem (specifically the Al-Aqsa Mosque, or Baitul Muqaddas) was the initial qibla for Muslims during the early years of Islam, from around 610 to 623 CE. Historical accounts suggest that this changed in 623 CE (or 624 CE according to some sources), when the Prophet Muhammad, while in Medina, received a revelation instructing Muslims to face the Kaaba in Mecca instead. The mosque’s orientation toward Jerusalem has led some historians and researchers, like Professor Mehboob Desai, to argue that it was constructed before this shift, possibly by Arab traders who frequented the port of Ghogha during that period.

The name "Barwada" translates to "outsiders" or "foreigners" in Gujarati, hinting at its construction by non-local Arab merchants. The mosque features a simple design with a mihrab (a niche indicating the qibla), some ornate carvings, and a dome above the mihrab. However, it is in a dilapidated state, with much of its roof missing and its pillars needing support. It is not an officially protected heritage site, so preservation efforts have been limited to sporadic repairs by locals when funding is available. A sign at the mosque reportedly advises against praying there due to its qibla facing Jerusalem rather than Mecca, emphasizing its historical rather than active religious significance.

While the Barwada Mosque is often compared to other early Indian mosques, like the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kerala (traditionally dated to 629 CE), its exact age remains debated. Claims of it predating the qibla change rely heavily on its orientation, as no definitive archaeological or inscriptional evidence pins down its construction date. Some scholars note that the presence of a mihrab and Arabic script with diacritics might suggest a later date, as these features became more common after the 7th century. Nonetheless, its location in Ghogha—a port with documented Arab contact since at least the 7th century—supports the possibility of its early origins.

Today, the mosque stands as a quiet testament to the historical interactions between India and the Arab world, though its condition reflects a lack of formal conservation. Its uniqueness lies in its potential connection to the earliest phase of Islamic presence in India, making it a point of interest for historians and visitors alike.

© Rohit Singh Negi

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