Indo Islamic Heritage
Aala Hazrat Masjid, located in Bhoor, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, is the central mosque within the revered Dargah-e-Aala Hazrat complex, a prominent Sufi shrine dedicated to the 19th-century Islamic scholar Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi (Ala Hazrat). Built in 1921, it serves as a key site for prayer and spiritual gatherings, exemplifying traditional Islamic architecture with intricate Arabic carvings and a distinctive matchstick-designed dome.
The Aala Hazrat Masjid forms the spiritual core of the Dargah-e-Aala Hazrat, a historic Islamic shrine in Bareilly that honors Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi (1856–1921), a prolific scholar, jurist, poet, and founder of the Barelvi movement within Sunni Islam. Born on June 14, 1856, in Bareilly, Khan—affectionately known as Ala Hazrat—devoted his life to defending traditional Sufi practices against reformist ideologies like Wahhabism, authoring over 1,000 works on Islamic theology, law, and philosophy. Following his passing on October 28, 1921, the dargah complex, including the mosque, was constructed in the same year as his mausoleum to perpetuate his legacy as a beacon of orthodox Sunni scholarship. Architecturally, the masjid showcases classic Indo-Islamic design elements, featuring a grand dome engineered innovatively by Shah Mehmood Jaan Qadri using matchsticks as a structural model—a testament to resourceful craftsmanship in early 20th-century India. The interior walls bear exquisite Arabic calligraphy, while the prayer hall accommodates large congregations during daily namaz and special observances. As a local shrine, it draws devotees primarily from Uttar Pradesh for its role in fostering community prayers and scholarly discourse, remaining a serene hub for Islamic devotion amid Bareilly's urban landscape.
Year of Built: 1921
Address: 9C57+824, NH-24, Bhoor, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243003
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Bareilly
Pincode: 243003
Longitude: 79.4300° E
Latitude: 28.3700° N