Mosque of Akhun Mulla Shah is a 17th century structure built Dara Shikoh, the son of
Shah Jahan, for his tutor Akhun Mulla Shah. It is located atop of Hari Parbat hill, below the shrine of
Makhdoom Sahib Shrine, in
Srinagar District.
The mosque, built in beautiful gray limestone, is noted for its lotus finial and a rather unique inner lay out. The lotus finial over the pulpit is the last surviving one of its kind. The plan of the mosque is said to be singular, the design of the prayer chamber has been repeated on the east side of the courtyard, forming the gateway. The arcades on the north and south of the courtyard are treated in the same way as the wings of the prayer chamber, which is quite unusual for a mosque. The only peripheral garnishments are the rectangular panels enclosing cusped arches.
The cramped dimension of the courtyard is attributed to the slope of the hill on which it stands. On the lower levels, the ruins of the arched halls can be found. It is thought to be the place where the pilgrims used to stay.
