Islamic Khanqah Prayer Halls in Baltistan (Little Tibbet)

Abstract

Islamic khanqah prayer halls are characteristic of Baltistan, where at least twenty such prayer houses can still be found today. The two largest of these halls are in Khaplu and Kiris . Khanqahs in Baltistan are usually very large, almost square, flat-roofed halls, often with several columns inside. A large, very high veranda is always built in front of its entrance, which covers the full width of the prayer hall. The width and length of these buildings can reach approximately 25 meters. The height of the eaves often reaches a height of approx. 6 meters. According to Klimburg (p. 153), the first khanqahs were probably built in Kashmir and only later in Baltistan. The khanqahs in Baltistan were mostly built by the teachers and students of the Islamic Nūrbakhshīya sect. Khanqahs are the most important religious monuments in Baltistan, along with the traditional mosques , the Matam Serai memorial halls, and the Astana funerary monuments of Baltistan. As with all religious buildings in Baltistan, despite the sketches of some khanqas published by AH Dani, exact measurements and functional descriptions of the numerous rooms in these buildings are not available.