The Legacy of MASJID INDIA, Kuala Lumpur
During the end of middle centuries, the trade between India and the malay archipelago was dominated by Indian Muslim traders particularly from the Coromandel (South India ), Gujarat and Bengal. It is believed that the teachings of the Islamic faith first arrived in the archipelago during that period through Indian Muslim and Arab Traders. Over time, these traders settled in coastal and inland towns. Wherever they settled in large numbers, one of their first undertaking was to build a mosque. The little town of Kuala Lumpur began to take shape around 1860. According to Mr. J.M. Gullick, a former member of the Malayan Civil Service, there were two mosques in Kampung Rawa (an area comprising what currently is known as Malacca Street, Ampang Street, and Malay Street). One mosque was in Java Street (the street was later renamed Mountbatten Road and now known as Jalan Tun Perak) and the other was in North West of Malay Street where Masjid India now stands.
Most of the Indian Muslim Mercantile community of Kuala Lumpur then lived around Batu Road (now known as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman) and adjacent areas. In 1863, they realised of a need for a mosque which can serve to unite them and allow an avenue for them to serve the community as a whole. Thus the Masjid India mosque structure was first erected in the year 1863 with the sponsorship and financing from the traders of Batu Road and its adjacent localities. It was initially a small mosque erected with bricks and timber. There were no piped water facility and ablution was done at nearby Klang River.
Between 1870 and 1900, there was a marked increase in the population of Indian Muslims (especially south India muslims) in the vicinity of Batu Road. The small wooden mosque of Masjid India became inadequate to meet the prayer needs of the growing community. The Javanese mosque that stood at the corner at Jalan Benteng and Tun Perak was also small and could only accommodate about 50 worshippers. Masjid Jemek did not exist at that time. It was built later in 1909 on the location of an old Muslim burial place at the confluence of Klang and Gombak River.
There was pressing need for a bigger space for prayers. As a result, Masjid India went through several extensions between 1900 and 1952. But it did not help to solve the space constraint. The then Masjid India Committee decided to demolish the existing building to replace it with a bigger building. The masjid structure was demolished in 1964 to give way for a modern three-story mosque. The foundation for the construction was laid on 11th September 1964 by His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Hishamuddin Alam Shah Al-Haj. Upon completion of the construction, It was officially inaugurated by His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor on 29th June 1966. The design of Masjid India has features of South Indian style architecture with onion-domed cupolas and elegantly arched windows with a minaret rising from its front portal.
Located in the busy commercial centre, the masjid is constantly used by various Muslim communities, including traders, shoppers and tourists. As a result, the masjid has experienced significant demographic change. The facilities afforded in the three-story mosque were becoming inadequate to meet the growing number of worshippers. In 1998, the then committee decided to upgrade the facilities further. A basement was constructed to increase the ablution points and toilet facility. The space above the basement contributed to additional prayer space. Apart from that, a separate ablution and toilet facilities were also created for women worshippers.
In 2002, the entire mosque building was given a facelift by cladding the exterior walls with polished granite slabs. In 2015, the interior of the mosque, namely the main prayer hall were upgraded with a new Mehrab and Mimbar. The main prayer hall is also fitted with air-conditioning system to give greater comfort to worshippers.
Today, Masjid India stands majestically at the heart of a very busy business district with surrounding attractions that hosts cultural elements from Malay and Indian Muslims communities. Masjid India itself has become a tourist attraction due to its rich legacy and unique culture apart from being strategically located.