THE GRAND MOSQUE OF BANBHORE - A REAPPRAISAL Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan* Archaeological excavations at Banbhore conducted by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan from 1958 until 1965 have unearthed, amongst other remains, a substantial structure identified as the Grand Mosque (1). Since it is con- sidered to be the earliest known mosque of the Inda-Pakistan sub-continent, it is proposed to examine this structure critically in this article. Banbhore remains are situated on the north bank of Gharo Creek some 65 kilo-memters east of Kara~hi. The site had been known to archaeologists for quite some time. Locally it is con- sidered to be the oldest port of Sind. Mr. N .G. Majamdar in 1930 and Mr. Leslie Alcock in 1951 laid trial trenches and endeavoured to determine the origin of the site but did not find any material datable prior to Muslim period (2). Earlier Alexan- der Cunningham and Henry Cousens had also visited the site but did not find any trace of non-Muslim culture. The elaborate exacavations conducted by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of Dr. F .A. Khan since 1958 onwards have, however, revealed extensive remains and yielded cultural material datable from Scytho-Parthian, Hindu-Bμddhist and Islamic periods from 1st century B.C. to 13th century A. D. (3). The excavations have exposed the remains of a fortified harbour town of considerable size, an outer city with habitation as well as industrial area and a large artificial lake. While the imposing fortifications with 3 gateways may command a majestic view the most important building remains unearthed at Ban- bhore, are · those which have been identified as the Grand Mosque of Banbhore. These building remains are located in the 'Central Sector' of the excavations. Roughly square in plan they measure, externally, 128 feet east to west and 122 feet north to · south. Comparatively well preserved boundry walls, except on western side piecered with three entrances . one each in east, north and west sides enclose the structure built in finely dressed limestone blocks laid in mud mortar. A brick paved open courtyard measuring 75 feet by 58 feet occupies the * Director General, Deptt. of Archaeology and Museums, Govt. of Pakistan 341