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The Mosque is a historical landmark in Madras city. It was constructed by Nawab Muhammad Ali Walajah, Nawab of the Carnatic (1749-1795 A.D.) The building is an imposing structure of symmetry and form of architectural magnificence with an imposing facade. The Mosque stands in extensive grounds, which are being used as a forum for religious and cultural activities. The Prophet's birthday is celebrated every year under the auspicious of the Meelad Committee in these grounds.

Adjoining the mosque is the tomb of the great saint Maulana Abdul Ali Bahrul Uloom, a divine scholar of the days of the Nawab Wallajah. In this enclosure also are the tombs of the late Nawabs of the Carnatic, the Princes of Arcot and other eminent scholars and theologians.

One distinctive feature of this mosque is that the chronogram engraved in stone and fixed on the inside of the western wall of the mosque is by a non-Muslim, Rajah Makkan Lal "Khirad", a Persian and Arabic scholar of repute, who was the Private Secretary to the Nawab. It may be mentioned in this regard that, as far as is known, no other mosque in the world has a chronogram composed by a non-Muslim.

On Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan) and Bakrid Days, a large number of Muslims gather in congregation to perform Eid Prayers in this historic Mosque. The Eid Prayer timing remains the same 10.00 a.m. since 1749 A.D. This historic mosque is under the management of H.H. The Prince of Arcot Endowments, controlled by the present Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul AIi, who is the direct descendant of Nawab Wallajah, the founder of the family and who now resides in 'Amir Mahal' at Chennai.