Saving the history of Malabar mosques and their communities

The state of Kerala stretches along the Malabar Coast of India. Its association with the Indian Ocean brought Islam and local houses of prayer that reflected the indigenous materials, climate, and culture of the region. This chapter reviews the history and varying fates of the Malabar Mosques and their surrounding neighbourhoods in Kochangadi (Kochi) and Kuttichira (Kozhikode). From the 14th to the early 20th century, mosques of Kerala were built in the style of the local vernacular and faithfully maintained. The old mosques of timber and stone endured for centuries, fighting off bugs, mould, and rain. Most were still standing until recently, but today face challenges of regular maintenance, outright demolition, or remodels that wrap the original structure in concrete and kitsch. This work argues for a conservation policy framework that would ensure the protection of these mosques in their neighbourhood context.