Khuthbapalli - The First Mosque Of Pondicherry

Khuthbapalli – The First Mosque of Pondicherry

Khuthbapalli—also spelled as Couttoubapalli or Cottoubapalli in French colonial records—is one of the oldest and most significant Islamic monuments in Puducherry. This 18th-century mosque holds a special place in the spiritual and historical landscape of the former French colony.

The name "Khuthbapalli" derives from the Arabic word Khutbah, referring to the Friday sermon delivered before the Jumu'ah (Friday) prayers. As such, a Khuthbapalli is a mosque designated not only for daily prayers but also for Friday congregational prayers, which are considered especially important in Islam. 

A Historical Landmark in White Town

Khuthbapalli is believed to be the first mosque established in Pondicherry, although not originally at its current location. Historical cartographic evidence—most notably, a Dutch map of Pondicherry Fort dated 1693—marks the presence of two mosques within White Town, the French administrative and colonial quarter of the city.

One of these mosques was Khuthbapalli, and the other was the Meerapalli Mosque. Both were likely active places of worship by the end of the 17th century, signaling the presence of a thriving Muslim community even during early European colonization.

While Meerapalli was relocated during the early 18th century to its current location, Khuthbapalli remained situated in the western section of White Town. It continued to serve the local Muslim population until the British destruction of White Town in 1761, during the course of colonial wars that frequently shifted control between European powers.

Rue de la Mosquée and its Transformation

The historical presence of Khuthbapalli is further confirmed by the street name during the governorship of Joseph François Dupleix. The road on which the mosque was originally located was known as "Rue de la Mosquée", literally meaning "Mosque Street" in French—a clear indication of the mosque’s prominence in the area.

After the political tensions of 1948, the French administration renamed Rue de la Mosquée to Rue Victor Simonel, a name that endures to this day. Though the name was changed, the street’s legacy as the original site of Khuthbapalli remains significant in the cultural memory of Puducherry’s Muslim population.

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