Indo Islamic Heritage
Shaikho Wali Masjid is a modest local mosque situated in the village of Malookpur, Faridpur tehsil, Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, India. It serves as a community prayer space for residents in this rural area, reflecting the everyday Islamic heritage of the Rohilkhand region.
Shaikho Wali Masjid, often referred to locally as the mosque of the Shaikho family or community, stands as a simple yet integral place of worship in the village of Malookpur. Malookpur itself is a small rural settlement in the Faridpur tehsil of Bareilly district, spanning about 34 hectares and located roughly 20 km from the tehsil headquarters and 43 km from Bareilly city. The mosque is positioned at the key intersection of Malookpur Choraha, making it a central point for local Muslims to gather for daily prayers, Friday congregational services (Jumu'ah), and community events. Geographically, the mosque lies in the fertile plains of Rohilkhand, near the Ramganga River basin, which has historically supported agricultural communities in the area. Its latitude and longitude—approximately 28.4500° N and 79.5000° E—place it in a region characterized by its mix of agricultural fields and small villages, with Bareilly's urban influences nearby. The pincode 243201 covers the broader Malookpur and Faridpur areas, facilitating postal and logistical services for villagers. The exact address is Shaikho Wali Masjid, Malookpur, Faridpur, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243201, accessible via local roads connecting to National Highway 30. While specific records on its construction year remain scarce due to its local status, the mosque aligns with the broader pattern of Islamic architecture in Bareilly district, which dates back to the 16th-18th centuries under Mughal and Rohilla influence. Bareilly, founded in 1537 by Mughal governor Makrand Ray, became a hub for mosques during the Rohilla Afghan clan's rule in the 18th century, and smaller village mosques like Shaikho Wali likely emerged in the late 18th or early 19th century to serve growing Muslim populations in rural outposts. The structure is typical of vernacular North Indian Islamic design: a rectangular prayer hall oriented toward the qibla (Mecca), with a mihrab niche, minbar for sermons, and possibly a small ablution area (wudu khana). It lacks the grandeur of urban mosques like Bareilly's Shahi Jama Masjid but embodies the functional simplicity suited to village life. Today, Shaikho Wali Masjid continues to function as a vital spiritual center for Malookpur's residents, fostering community cohesion in a predominantly agrarian setting. Its unassuming presence highlights the distributed network of local mosques that sustain Islamic practice across Uttar Pradesh's countryside, away from the spotlight of more famous historical sites.
Year of Built: Not Available
Address: 9C67+98Q, Malookpur Choraha, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243003
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Bareilly
Pincode: 243003
Longitude: 79.5000° E
Latitude: 28.4500° N