One of the proofs of Islamic civilization in Aceh is the Tuha Indrapuri Mosque. Located right on the banks of Krueng (river) Aceh in Keude Indrapuri, Aceh Besar District. This mosque became a silent witness of Islamic civilization and war in Aceh.
Located approximately 24 kilometers from the City of Banda Aceh, Tuha Indrapuri Mosque does have its own charm both from the architecture that is still very traditional and historical. This is one of the oldest or oldest mosques in Aceh.
Indrapuri Mosque is estimated to be built since 1207 Hijriah or 1618 CE above the ruins of the pre-Islamic temple. A history says that Indrapuri Mosque was built by Sultan Iskandar Muda who led the Sultanate of Aceh in 1607-1636 AD.
It is said that before the mosque was built, this location is one of the temples at once the royal castle Lamuri. Lamuri is a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that is believed to have triumphed on the tip of Sumatra Island (now Aceh) before the influence of Islam. The temple is thought to have existed since the 10th century AD.
The architecture of Indrapuri Mosque is quite simple. Indrapuri mosque administrator, Sarnadi said the fort that is now used as a mosque is made of stone mixed with rock and clay. Understandably, when it was not known adhesive sand like cement.
During the construction of the mosque, Sultan Iskandar Muda mamasang 36 pillars with roof support. From the pole is still visible various forms of carving typical of the ancient kingdom.
In addition, the shape of the roof of this mosque resembles a pyramid with four roofs from the bottom to the top. The pyramid-shaped roof is characteristic of traditional mosques in Aceh.
Touted these four levels has a special significance in the world to Islamization. "The four levels of the roof symbolize the four levels of Islamic science, starting the Shari'a, tarekat, essence and makrifat," Sarnadi said some time ago.
Shari'a is meant is the law or rule of Islam that governs all the joints of Muslim life. While tarekat interpreted by the way that is done to become a taqwa.
At the next level the true nature or belief in God. Then the makhrifat is to know God.
In this level of Sufism like a Sufi who has attained a maqam, or has had dignity before the Divine.
Indrapuri Mosque is a silent witness of many important historical events. Starting from the traces of Hindu civilization to the entry and development of Islam in Aceh.
When the Palace within the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam in Banda Aceh was captured by the Dutch in the second military aggression of 1874, the administrative center of the Kingdom of Aceh moved to the Indrapuri Mosque.
Because the palace had been occupied by the enemy, Tuanku Alaidin Muhammad Daud Syah, who was then still very young, was inaugurated as the sultan of the Aceh kingdom at this mosque in 1878, replacing Sultan Alaidin Mahmud Syah (1870-1874) who had died. Daud Shah was the last sultan of Aceh.
Indrapuri Mosque also became the base of defense of Aceh troops while fighting against the Dutch. Colonial soldiers had time to take control of this mosque, but the Acehnese troops managed to recapture it through a fierce battle.
Indrapuri Mosque again became the center of worship as well as the development of religious science.
"Indrapuri Mosque was built without any nail bolts, all with wood on the pegs. Truly ancient buildings, many ancient buildings are not in the nails, just cooked, in accordance with his time at that time, "said Sarnadi.
The mosque stands on an area of 33,875 square meters. When viewed the building of the castle, there are three floors with the last floor of the most shoot is the ancient mosque building above the temple, Indrapuri Mosque.
The floor plan is square, about the size of a volleyball court. The whole is wood-constructed, decorated with unique carvings. The height of the building reaches 11.65 meters.
It has 36 pillars supporting roof horses. In front of the mosque that has been in this pugar there is a pool ablution place, typical of the mosques of Aceh in the past.
Based on scientific studies, Indrapuri Mosque with a triangle roof (triangle) and berkontruksi wood has comfort for people who are in it. In addition to more integral to the tropical nature, also have a better level of sound pressure.
Acoustic Expert from Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah) Banda Aceh, Dr Zulfan said, one of the influence of construction with the roof of the triangle makes the sound in the mosque is heard more clearly than the mosque is flat or dome. "This is the hallmark of a triagle-roofed mosque that many people do not know," he explained.
Zulfian with the Acoustic Laboratory team of Faculty of Engineering Unsyiah once researched in this Indrapuri Mosque building through empirical approach and computer simulation.
The results of the scientific research show that the limits of natural critical noise encroachment in this mosque, approaching the required criteria in the book of acoustic science, which is between 40-50 milisecond with a sound speed of 344 meters per second, so the natural encircling distance of 13.76 to 17 , 12 meters.
This condition makes the sound of imam or khatib's voice can be heard clearly even without using a microphone.
According to him, the results of this research prove scientifically that the design of the three-tiered pyramid roof like this mosque, has the best sound characteristics compared with dome-shaped buildings or flat.