Chaqchan Mosque, Historic mosque in Khaplu, Pakistan
Chaqchan Mosque is a two-story stone structure in Khaplu featuring a semi-basement, ground floor, and a small turret on top. The building uses traditional wooden timber walls filled with clay and can accommodate around 500 worshippers at a time.
Built around 1370, this mosque marks the period when local communities transitioned from Buddhism to Islam under the influence of Mir Syed Hamdani. This shift reshaped the religious identity of the region.
The mosque reflects a blend of Tibetan, Persian, and Mughal building styles visible in its decoration and layout. These different influences come together in the wooden details and carved surfaces throughout the interior.
The courtyard and prayer areas are generally open to visitors, though you should respect local customs regarding footwear and head covering. The remote mountain location is difficult to reach in winter, so the warmer months offer the best visiting conditions.
The interior displays elaborate wooden carving work, particularly in the decorated prayer niche and the detailed wood lattice patterns on the facade. These fine craftsmanship techniques remain visible today and reflect the artisan skills of that era.
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