The Zeenath Baksh Mosque in Karanataka’s Mangalore was not built on a Hindu temple - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 17, 2022
A video is being widely shared on social media claiming it as the visuals of an ancient temple that is converted into a Mosque in Karnataka’s Mangalore. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Video of an ancient temple that is now converted into a Mosque in Mangalore, Karnataka.
Fact: The video shared in the post shows the ancient Zeenath Baksh Masjid located in the Bunder area in the city of Mangalore. This Masjid was believed to be constructed by the Arab traders in 644 AD, with the help of Raja Cheruman Perumal of Malabar. The Zeenath Baksh surpasses all other Mosques because of its pure Indian architecture style with beautiful rosewood and teakwood carved designs. Later, in the 17 century, Tipu Sultan renovated this Mosque and named it Zeenath Baksh, after his daughter. There is no evidence to prove that Zeenath Baksh Mosque was constructed on a Hindu temple. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
When you observe the video carefully, you could see a watermark with the text, “Thousand shades of India”, on the top left portion of the video. On searching for the video using these keywords, a video with similar visuals was found posted on ‘The Thousand Shades of India’ Instagram handle on 20 December 2021. They mentioned it as the visuals of the ancient Zeenath Baksh Masjid, located in the Bunder area in the city of Mangalore. It is mentioned as the third oldest Mosque built in Karnataka.
A post shared by Thousand Shades of India (@thousandshadesofindia)
The history of the Zeenath Baksh Masjid was available on the ‘Karnataka Tourism‘ website and the Zeenath Baksh Masjid Facebook page. The Zeenath Baksh Masjid, also known as ‘Beliye Palli’ and ‘Jamma Masjid’, was believed to be established by the Arab traders, the Kith, and the Kin of Sahabas (Companions of Prophet Mohammed).  The Zeenath Baksh surpasses all other Mosques because of its pure Indian architecture style and it was said that the Mosque portrays the life stories of Prophet Mohammed. During the 7th century AD, Arab Muslim Traders have maintained very cordial relations with the local population as well as the Rulers of the Western coastal belt.  According to the details, Raja Cheruman Perumal from Malabar ensured Arab traders a proper accommodation, a place where they could trade, and even provided lands to build their Mosques.
Later, in the 17 century, Tipu Sultan renovated this Mosque with beautiful wooden carvings and named it Zeenath Baksh, after his daughter. Masjid Zeenath Baksh features impressive walls, doors, and floors decorated with rosewood and teakwood designs. There is no evidence to prove that the Zeenath Baksh Mosque in Bunder was constructed by demolishing a Hindu temple.
To sum it up, the Zeenath Baksh Mosque in Karanataka’s Mangalore was not built on a Hindu temple.