Islamic Monuments of Mangalore: Part 2 

  •   Thu, Oct 23 2025
  •   By Ivan Saldanha-Shet
October 23, 2025 

Mangalore and coastal Karnataka is steeped in multifaceted History and colour, many sources have facilitated the common person of interest to be aware and enjoy the depth of information.  Daijiworld has been very generous  and it is appreciated. Hindu, Muslim, Christian ........and many more allow interesting facts and figures in and around mangalore / Canara since ages and fascinates.  In the previous episode (Part 1 of 2)  we noted the arrival and monument of Islam at Bundar, the original area of Kudla or Mangaluru at present. The matter would not be complete if a brief look at ancient contemporary Islamic monuments are not highlighted. No history is the sole property of any one in particular and is not esoteric in practicality. So, we continue and hope it will round off the interest and study of this history, let us have observations and comments.
 


KUTCHI MEMON MASJID. BUNDER. Mangalore : This is another ancient Masjid  just near and on the way to Zeenath Baksh Masjid  right opposite to famed 'Bombay Lucky Restaurant'; the 'Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is in the backyard of this Masjid. It is also referred to as 'Katchi Palli'.  It is a wonder that this Mosque is credited with many firsts. Traditionally each of these many Masjids in Mangalore have their own section of regular devotees. Reliable sources say that Kutchi Memon Masjid was basically constructed in 1839 and is now 174 years old going on to be 175 years. The force behind this sacred work were Patels  from Kutch in North Gujarat, traders who settled in the area and were masters in the spice trade, they spoke Kutchi language and gradually were assimilated into the Kanara culture, the cause of this development are the historical sea routes to Mangalore from the Arabian Sea.  To and fro activity is still very visible it appears.

The wonders at this religious center are : It was the first to get power supply and the fourth in Mangalore to be electrified in the British era, in 1930s , the first to use loud speakers for the 'azaan', call to pray and in Urdu, the first where the 'qutba' (Friday Sermon) was delivered in Urdu and so on.

There has been development in the precincts of the masjid but the original structure on about 20-25 cents remains still very original. The new extension  was first made in 1983 and plans to expand are ongoing. The unique gate way into the masjid has a picturesque oriental architecture. Indeed this area called Bunder is a wonder with many  historic monuments still standing the test of time like sentinels spelling out the historical times gone by and hoping for better times for those who are to come.  

Woman Saint's Dargah in the Heart of M'lore :  Hazrath Saidani Bibi Sahiba, the only dargah dedicated to a woman saint in Dakshina Kannada has become a refuge of  hope without reference to religion, caste, creed or language. Located near A B Shetty circle, on the periphery of the prominent 'Big Maidan' (as it was then known)  now, Nehru Maidan  of Mangalore. This dargah (memorial tomb shrine) is visited by people of all faiths. Most of the people come here with a 'harake' (vow) as there is a strong belief that prayers are answered here. Hazrath Saidani Bibi, it is said, was a saintly lady, hailing from a 'Fouji' (Military) family during the regime of Tipu Sultan. She was buried in the military area (the present location of dargah on the edge of the City Police HQ - formerly the military barracks), though burial grounds were available, such was her reputation.   People say that she was buried in the military area due to high respect and regard the local people of Mangalore particularly the warrior class  had for her.  Later, her close relatives were buried beside her. Now are seen  three other tombs apart from that of Sayyadani Bibi in the dargah. Scores of people of all castes and creeds visit this place every day, giving alms to the poor that sit at this place, an accepted practice.

Another astonishing aspect of this dargah is that it is cared for and protected by retired or serving police officers of Mangalore.  Hazrath Saidani Bibi Sahiba Dargah Management Committee is in the forefront of it's maintenance. This dargah was frequently visited by the police staff and public, the tomb is adjacent to the police headquarters.  In 1972, the then Dakshina Kannada SP K U Balakrishna Rau and the then Assistant SP H T Sangliana entrusted the administration of the dargah to Muslim police personnel.  A committee was formed for the better administration of the dargah and in the year 1983 the old 'Mazahar' (tomb of the saint) was renovated. The dargah was built on land belonging to the Police department, and the property was later handed over to the Wakf Board. Indeed  goodness knows no boundaries and so does harmony.

BEARY  COMMUNITY IN MANGALORE:  The origin of the 'Beary' Community is very ancient. It is known that there were many rich traders, from the Malabar coastal belt, connected with the traders of the Arab lands.  Arab merchants have been visiting the coastal regions for business purposes even before the time of Muhammad (puh). Now most local Muslims in this region are part of the Beary Community.

The Beary (also known as Byari) is a community concentrated mostly along coastal Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in the Southern state of Karnataka. It is an ethnic group, having its own unique traditions and distinct cultural identity and language. The Beary community holds an important place as also Nawayaths of the Uttara Kannada district (who speak a type of Konkani). Bearys incorporate the local Tulu culture of  undivided South Kanara and diverse traditions of the Moplahs of Malabar.  The Beary community of Kanara or Tulunadu is one among the earliest Muslim inhabitants of the coast, with a clear history of more than 1350 plus years.   Muslim Arab traders had a cordial relationship with the rulers of the western coastal belt of India. This is attested to also by the writing of Ibn Battuta, the intrepid North African traveller who passed through India in 1342AD. Lakshadweep too had connections with Mangalore since early times.

The word 'Beary' is said to be derived from the Tulu word 'Byara', which means trade or business. Since the major portion of the community was involved in business activities, particularly trading, the local Tulu speaking majority called them Beary or Byari, other reasons exist. According to the census of 1891, South Kanara in the Madras Presidency of British India had 92,449 Muslim businessmen consisting of 90,345 Bearys and 2,104 Nawayaths involved in business activities. The first Muslim missionaries to Mangalore can be traced to Malik Bin Deenar, an Arab trader said to be the kin of Sahabas (companions of Prophet Muhammad). He is said to have visited Malabar and landed near Manjeshwar on the northern Malabar coast, very close to Mangalore. He constructed the first Masjid in Kasargod, the Malik Dinar Masjid ( his shrine can still be seen).

Beary Language:  Called 'Beary Basse'  is spoken by the Muslim communities mainly along the Coastal Dakshina Kannada,  Udupi  and in some parts of Kasaragod district by the Bearys (Byaris). Beary is a language of  mixed idioms, phonology and grammar of bothe Tulu and Malayalam. It is considered a dialect since  Kannada alphabets are used in writing and is also known as 'Mappila Bashe' because of Bearys' close contact with Mappilas of Malabar.  Due to the intensive influence of Tulu for centuries, it is today considered as a language close to Tulu as well.  Surrounded by the Tulu speaking community, the impact of Tulu on the phonological, morphological and syntactical structure of the dialect is evident.  Beary Bashe can be related to Malayalam, Tulu or Perso-Arabic origin with Arabic influehttps://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclusiveDisplay?articlesID=6784nce.  'Beary Basse' also has words related to Tamil and Malayalam. 

The Bearys produced rich literary work using both Beary Bashe and Kannada language. The literature comprises Beary poetry, research articles on Bearys, historical analysis of Muslims, essays, stories and other fields of literature. "English-Kannada-Beary" dictionary is now available. The Bearys have also produced a number of magazines and periodicals from Mangalore and other places of the region.  Some periodicals have become popular and a few of them have become a part of Beary history. Generally Kannada script is used to produce Beary literature which is quite popular and abundant in all possible forms.  There is a lot of vergin content on electronic media too now, and the future is very bright. 
 
                                                                                   (Part 2 concludes this history)
 

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By Ivan Saldanha-Shet
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Comment on this article

  • Daniel, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 23 2025

    Nice to know about Islamic monuments of Mangalore. But on Faith, just quick 3 simple questions which torment me, based on The Power of Blood of Christ (Good Friday) And The Blood of Christ Vs Allah's (Eid al adha) Blood of Goat, (Bakrid) and Quran. When it comes to mortal sins like murders, adultery, violences, Original Sin, Goat's (or animal) blood or the Blood of Christ sets humans free ? Bible says "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free INDEED." Cf. John 8:36. *1.* If Arab / elite / freemasons wanted to marry many times / women would they not start their own religion or bring out a religious book (called Quran) to suit their needs, appetite ? ... So, *2.* Allah is not real but man made God for elite's divide and rule policy ? ... *3.* Using a man made religion / book mostly copied from the Bible. That's why Single Book / Witness ? ... Bible (The New Testament) Whereas, mainly 7, 5 Apostles Saints Peter, Matthew, John, Jude, Paul, and 2 Disciples, Sts Luke and Mark wrote Bible as separate witnesses and through Divine inspiration!?


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Title: Islamic Monuments of Mangalore: Part 2 



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