Masjid Kapitan Keling merupakan masjid tertua di George Town, Pulau Pinang, yang diasaskan pada tahun 1801 oleh komuniti pelaut Maraikkayar. Usaha murni ini dipelopori oleh Kapitan Cauder Mohudeen, iaitu pemimpin masyarakat India Muslim (komuniti Chulia), di atas sebidang tanah seluas 18 ekar kurniaan pihak British. Pada peringkat awal, struktur tempat ibadat ini hanyalah sebuah masjid kayu kecil yang ringkas dengan atap nipah. Masjid ini dibina di tapak yang sama oleh sekumpulan buruh kasar Muslim Sepoy daripada Syarikat Hindia Timur Inggeris. Seiring peredaran zaman, masjid ini dinaik taraf menggunakan batu bata pada tahun 1810-an, sebelum melalui pengubahsuaian berskala mega pada tahun 1916 oleh firma seni bina Stark & McNeill ke arah gaya British Mughal-Moorish. Masjid Jamek pertama di George Town ini mendapat namanya daripada gelaran ‘Kapitan Keling’ yang membawa maksud ‘Kapten Kalinga’ iaitu gelaran penghormatan yang diberikan kepada pemimpin masyarakat India Muslim.”
The Kapitan Keling Mosque is the oldest mosque in George Town, with its origins dating back to 1801. It was established by the Maraikkayar seafaring community through the vision of Kapitan Cauder Mohudeen, the respected leader of the Indian Muslim (Chulia) community. The mosque was built on an 18-acre parcel of land granted by the British administration. In its earliest form, the mosque was a modest wooden structure with a traditional nipa palm roof. It was constructed on the present site by Muslim Sepoy labourers serving the British East India Company, reflecting the early presence and contributions of the Indian Muslim community to Penang’s development. As the community flourished, the mosque evolved alongside it. During the 1810s, the original timber building was replaced with a brick structure. In 1916, it underwent a major architectural transformation designed by the firm Stark & McNeill, adopting the distinctive British MughalMoorish style that continues to define its elegant appearance today. As the first congregational (Jamek) mosque in George Town,the mosque derives its name from the honorary title “Kapitan Keling,” meaning “Captain of the Kalinga (Indian Muslim) community.” This title was bestowed upon the leader of the Indian Muslim community, recognising his important role in guiding and representing the community during Penang’s early colonial period. Today, the mosque stands as both a revered place of worship and a treasured heritage landmark, symbolising the rich multicultural history that has shaped George Town.