Panipat, April 21 -- Surrounded by numerous small handloom units, narrow alleys, and bustling houses, the Mughal-era Kabuli Bagh Masjid still stands tall. Built in 1526, the mosque was constructed by Mughal ruler Babur to commemorate his victory over Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi of the Lodhi dynasty in the first battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526. Though prayers at the monument have remained shut for decades, almost 500 years later, the mosque still preserves the memory of the battle that changed the course of Indian history for years to come, said Ram Mohan Rai, an advocate and public historian. Legend has it that Babur named the mosque after his wife Mussamat Kabuli Begum. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the central prayer hall has cells on either side of the mihrab, which is engraved with verses from the holy Quran. Eighteen-year-old Faizan Khan, who has just finished his schooling, frequents the mosque whenever a friend or relative visits. "I come here and explain the history of the mosque to them. It is so inspiring to witness such a huge structure standing erect even after 500 years," Khan said. Eighty-two-year-old Haji Kalimuddin from Bihar's Araria was there with his nephew Afzan Khan, who works at a local factory. "We've heard about Babur and his battle and were so amazed to see its memorial. Afzan told us that prayers are not allowed here, which is unfortunate," the octogenarian said. Standing next to him with his son, Sameer Khan pointed out partially damaged structures and filthy sewer canals next to the mosque. "I can see CCTVs, barbed wires and security guard, but there should have been more maintenance and cleanliness to preserve this heritage structure," Khan, who also works at a local handloom unit, said. On the contrary, 68-year-old Suraj Mal Dhiman, who lives in the next lane and visits the mosque's lawn for his daily evening walk, disagrees. "I've been coming here for 15 years and have seen the mosque in its worst state. The place used to be a den of drug addicts, who would damage the structure from inside. Now, there are barbed wires on the newly built boundary wall, CCTVs and a security guard on 24/7 vigil without whose permission no one could enter," he said. Advocate Rai said the victory over Lodhi was beyond belief for Babur, who asked his soldiers to bring Lodhi's body to him. "As a mark of respect, he then built two graves for Lodhi and his loyal elephant, just two kilometres from this mosque. The place is called the Ibrahim Lodhi Tomb. These two places carry the memory of the First Battle of Panipat. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the town was the centre of Islamic education. Then, Bu Ali Shah Kalandar, a saint of Chishti order, also arrived. A 700-year-old tomb and a dargah in his name also exist," he said....