AFGHAN CHURCH
Situated at the end of Colaba Causeway it was built in 1847 in honour of the
soldiers who died in the first Afghan war of 1843.It is impressive with wide Gothic arches
and beautiful stained - glass windows.
MAHIM SHRINE
The most noteworthy feature of Mahim is the shrine of Makhtum Fakih
Ali Paru. Of Arab origin, he studied and travelled extensively and was appointed law
officer of Mahim. Makhtum Fakih Ali Paru is noted for his commentary on the holy Koran.
When he died in 1413, a shrine and mosque were built in his memory. The tomb built of
stone and mortar lies not far from the sea shore. The main shrine, or dargah, stands on a
masonry plinth and has two entrances. A large central dome crowns the shrine with four
small domes, topping four minarets at each corner. To the north of the shrine is a wooden
mosque and near it an ancient step well fed by an underground stream.
JAMA MASJID
The original Jama Masjid of Mumbai was situated near Dongri. It was later removed and erected
at Esplanade. In 1770, this mosque too was demolished by an order of Governor William
Hornby which forbade the existence of any building within 600 years of the walls of the
Fort. The construction of the present Jama Masjid started in 1775 but work on it could not
be completed till 1802. The Masjid is a quadrangular pile of brick and stone encircled by
a ring of terraced roofed and double storied buildings. The main eastern gate leads to an
ancient tank filled with about 10 feet of water. From the depths of the tank rise 16 black
stone arches which support the whole of the mosque.
HAJI ALI DARGAH
Haji Ali built to honour a Muslim saint, stands almost 500 yards out at sea.
It is approachable only during low tide by a narrow rock causeway built above sea level.
SYNAGOGUES
Mumbai has two major synagogues, one built in 1796 and the other in 1847. The
older synagogue is said to have been built by Samaji Hasanji (Samuel Ezekiel) who joined
the British army and grew to be the native commandant of the 6th Battalion. Serving in the
Second Mysore War he was taken prisoner by Tipu Sultan. Tipu's mother and chief maulavi
(priest) helped him escape. In gratitude for his deliverance he built this synagogue
called Shaar Harahmeno i.e.the Gate of Mercy.
ST THOMAS' CATHEDRAL
In the heart of commercial Fort District stands St Thomas'
Cathedral. Work on the church commenced under Gerald Aungier, Governor of Mumbai, in 1672
and the church was opened to the public in 1718. Though essentially simple in structure,
the interior of the church has some exquisite stained-glass windows. The most prominent
feature is the church's tall steeple that was, till the mid 19th century, clearly visible
to travellers arriving into Mumbai by the steamship route.
