Mishkal Masjid (Mithqalpalli Mosque)

Mishkal Masjid (also written Mithqalpalli) was built in 644 CE by Nakhooda Mishkal, a wealthy Arab merchant who traded between Arabia and the Malabar Coast. It is believed to be one of the oldest mosques in India and possibly in Asia. The mosque is built in the traditional Kerala mosque style — a multi-storey wooden structure with sloping tiled roofs, carved pillars, and no minarets, reflecting a blend of Hindu-Kerala architecture and Islamic design. The mosque was partially destroyed by Portuguese forces in 1510 during the spice trade wars and subsequently rebuilt. It remains a living mosque in continuous use for nearly 1,400 years.