




Brief
In every single part of Bangladesh there are some Archaeological & Historical remains, which has enriched our cultural history. Lack of awareness and proper knowledge in common people results in gradual ruining of many Historical & Archaeological sites in our country.
One of the great example of deteriorations of an Archaeological site in Narsingdi district is ‘Single domed Mosque and Tomb of Shah Mansur’ located at Kumradi, Shibpur upazila.
It was built in eighteenth century by a Muslim saint named Shah Mansur. In course of time, the existence of the mosque is totally replaced by a new built Madrasa. But, still now the remaining of ‘Tomb of Shan Mansur’ is existing, although it is hard to assume how the original structure was.
Architectural Property and Layout:
Tomb of Shah Mansur, A massive structure which is architecturally rich and decorated with different kinds of design. It is in rectangular shape and built in very unique way. In the western wall of this building there are five arch shaped entrance, among them middle one is open and decorated with multi foil design. Others are Closed arch & also contains the same design like the opened one. The southern side of the tomb is severely disturbed, broken and ruined. Main entrance of the tomb is totally vanished, but still we can observe some three archways very close to the grave of Shah Mansur. It seems like there are two grave inside the building. We assume that other grave might be Shah Mansur’s wife.
There is another unique structure situated in the southern side of the tomb. It is just a square shaped Minar containing open space inside of it, in the roof top it contains a bulbous shaped dome. It has four arch shaped ways in four brick wall.
In the most eastern part of this tomb there is a large pond. Which is probably same years old as the tomb is.
Myth related to this Structure:
There are several myths interrelated with this feature. People say that Shah Mansur used to pet a tiger inside of square shaped structure which is situated in the eastern side of the tomb. Although, It’s a myth but it contains some evidences which might prove it true. Inside of this square shaped structure there are two iron’s ring attached with brick wall.
And it is also said, Once there were some big fishes in the pond. Local people believe that, those fish were actually cursed human being and for this reason they buried those death fish in a grave yard near to Pond.
Present Condition and Immediate Conservation Issue:
Present condition of the features situated in this complex is in very sensitive condition. One domed Mosque built by Shah Mansur is vanished and a new Madrasa replacing it. The tomb of Shah Mansur is near to destruction. The whole brick building contains several banyan tree and different species of trees.
The unique square shaped Minar is also near to ruin. Beside this structure there is bathroom built very recently for Madrasa students.
Immediate steps should be taken to conserve and preserve these features from its deterioration.
Where to Stay
1) Circuit House, Narsingdi (Government)
Phone: 02-9462083
Mobile: 01735-840294
2) District Council Postal Bungalow (Government)
Postal Bungalow Road, Narsingdi
Phone: 029463765
Mobile 01712-521274
3) Dak bungalows (Government)
Roads and public departments, Narsingdi
phone: 029463222
4) Rest House (Government)
Civil surgeon’s office, Narsingdi
Phone: 029463181
5) Rest House (Government)
LGED Office, Narsingdi
Phone: 029462260
6) Hotel Nirala
Library parti, Narsingdi market, Narsingdi
Phone: 029463393
Mobile: 01711-196699
7) Hotel Al-Arafat
215/1 siendabi Road, busstation, Narsingdi
Phone: 029463393
Mobile: 01712-130139
8) Hotels Mamataj
Patilbari Road, Narsingdi
Mobile: 01711-952120
9) Hotel Aziz
Patilbari Road, Narsingdi
Mobile: 01712070231
10) Hotel Riyaj
Patilbari Road, Narsingdi
Phone: 946 to 516
Mobile: 01712-609045
11) Hotel Tanim
Patilbari Road, Narsingdi
Phone: 9463982
Mobile: 01718-916143
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(
[0] => Array
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[name] => {:en}Zinda Pir Mosque{:}{:bn}জিন্দা পীরের মসজিদ{:}
[post_id] => 6753
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/zinda-pir-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Bagerhat-Jinda-Pir-Mosque-011-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Zinda Pir Mosque (জিন্দা পীরের মসজিদ) is very near from the Khan Jahan Ali Mazar. This is a small square shaped mosque having a dimension 6x6 (in meter). It has a single dome at the top. The Eastern side of the wall has three doors and other twos (not Western) are having a single door. This mosque was in ruin and restored during 2002.
During that restoration process the mosque has lost its most of the antiquities. They believe the guy who built this mosque was a holy man. He was reciting the Holy Quran one day and disappeared. That's why the believe that the guy is not dead yet. And hence they call him Zinda Pir (জিন্দা পীর), and call the mosque as Zinda Pir Mosque (জিন্দা পীরের মসজিদ). In English, the word Zinda Pir (জিন্দা পীর) means an alive holy man. This story doesn't have any authentic source to believe. It is simply the way they believe this. This mosque premise has a lot of old graves around. Those are not having any naming and that's why it is unsure about the graves. Also it has a Mazar (মাজার) near the mosque and lot of people pray on there.
{:}{:bn}খান জাহান আলী মাজারের খুব কাছেই জিন্দা পীরের মসজিদ অবস্থিত। ছোট বর্গক্ষেত্রাকার এই মসজিদের ব্যাপ্তি ৬মিটারx৬ মিটার। একগম্বুজ বিশিষ্ট এই মসজিদের পূর্ব দিকের দেয়ালে তিনটি দরজা আছে এবং পশ্চিমদিক ব্যাতিত বাকি দুই দিকের দেয়ালে একটি করে দরজা আছে। ২০০২ সালে ধ্বংসপ্রাপ্ত এই মসজিদটিকে মেরামত করা হয়। তবে, মেরামতের সময় মসজিদটি এটির প্রাচীনতা অনেকাংশেই হারিয়েছে। স্থানীয়রা মনে করেন একজন বুজুর্গ ব্যাক্তি এই মসজিদটি নির্মাণ করেছিলেন যিনি কোরআন শরীফ তেলাওয়াত করা অবস্থায় একদিন অদৃশ্য হয়ে যান। একারণে মনে করা হয়ে থাকে যে ঐ ব্যাক্তি এখনও জীবিত আছেন আর তাই তাঁকে জিন্দা পীর বলা হয় এবং মসজিদটিকে বলা হয় জিন্দা পীরের মসজিদ। ইংরেজিতে জিন্দা পীরের অর্থ জীবন্ত পবিত্র ব্যাক্তি। এই গল্পটির কোন বিশ্বাসযোগ্য সূত্র নেই তবে স্থানীয়রা এমনটাই বিশ্বাস করে থাকে। মসজিদের প্রাঙ্গনে বেশকিছু পুরাতন কবর রয়েছে তবে কোন নামফলক না থাকায় এসব কবর সম্পর্কে নিশ্চিত হয়ে কিছু জানা যায়নি। মসজিদের কাছে একটি মাজারও আছে যেখানে প্রচুর মানুষ প্রার্থনা করে থাকে।{:}
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[1] => Array
(
[name] => Shahjadpur Mosque
[post_id] => 3085
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/shahjadpur-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Shahzadpur-Masjid-Banglapedia1.jpg
[post_content] => It was built in 1528 in ancient Bangla. Many people believe that it is a 15
th century architecture which was built by Shah Mokdum(R). There is no inscription found for any date. Shahjadpur mosque stands on the bank of the river Hurasagar at Dargapara, the extreme end of Shahjadpur proper, in the district of Sirajganj. It is not dated by any inscription. Architectural as well as decorative features of the mosque point to its 15th century origin. Its architectural and decorative features indicate that it is of the 15
th century. It has a rectangular multi domed shape. Externally it is 19.13m tall and 12.6m wide and internally it is 15.77m tall and 9.60m wide. Its walls are 1.5m thick. Inside we can find 2 rows made of stone pillars and they carry pointed archways. There are 8 black slag pillars. There are 5 arched entrances in the mosque parallel to the west wall mihrab.
There are eight black basalt pillars, square at the base, then octagonal, and having a square capital on the top. The mosque is entered by five impressive arched entrances parallel to the mihrabs in the west wall. There are three blind niches on the south and north sides where the openings would have been. There are two subsidiary mihrabs on the left side of the central mihrab, and one on the right side. The place of another mihrab on the right side of the central mihrab is occupied by the mimbar of the mosque. The plan shows five bays and three aisles, allowing for fifteen uniform domes over the roof. The decoration and roof the mosque is slightly curved which dates back during time of Sultanate period. This mosque resembles features of early Sultanate period of Bengal.
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Mahajampur Ahamad Shah Mosque
[post_id] => 11558
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/mahajampur-ahamad-shah-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/DSC067441-300x169.jpg
[post_content] =>
Mahajampur was an ancient Muslim ruled region. This region is situated few miles north to Sonargaon town area. There is a Mosque found here, named Mahajampur Ahamad Shah Mosque, which was built around in 16th C.E. The style of bricks engraving and placement of dome charms the visitors. There are so many Scholars who had described the location and beauty of this mosque at different time in various writing. Among them, ‘Parvin Hasan & A.K.M. Zakaria’ described its beauty in their writing.
Many ancient evidences of human settlement has been found along with this Mosque & Mazar structure. Archaeologist found a big quantity of ancient bricks wherever they conducted excavation in that region. Two inscriptions being discovered from this Mosque. From one of those inscriptions we came to know about Sultan Shams Uddin Ahmad Shah (1432-1436 AD), which make it named after by his name. But, it has been said that someone named Firoz khan built that Mosque.
This is a six domed Mosque, which is built following the stylistic beauty of Baba Adam Shahid Mosque. Domes over the roof are bearing the evidences of Sultani Architecture of Bengal. It contains various design and decorations which is certainly something needs to be observed meticulously.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Chowk Bazar Shahi Mosque
[post_id] => 9953
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/chowk-bazar-shahi-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/P_20150610_1310241-169x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
Chowk Bazar Shahi Mosque also known as Chowk Mosque is one of the oldest Mosques in Dhaka. It is located in the Chowk Bazar area of the old town of Dhaka, south to the current city center.
The mosque was constructed in 1676 by Subahdar Shayesta Khan (সুবাহদার শায়েস্তা খান). It is called ‘Shahi Mosque’ as it is founded by Subahdar Shayesta Khan. The mosque is built above a raised platform. The three domed mosque above the platform, now transformed into a multi-storied structure was originally a copy of Shayesta Khan's another three domed mosque at the Mitford Hospital compound near the Buriganga River. Some square shaped rooms may be built for Imam and for students of the Madrashah. As a result of several renovation & reconstruction work, this mosque has lost its ancient original view.
History: This Mosque was constructed in 1676, as noted by an inscription in the Persian language over a gateway. The inscription attributes the project to Subahdar Shaista Khan. So far, this is known as the earliest dated mosque in the History of Muslim Architecture in Bengal, built on a high vaulted platform. Its architectural design was perhaps influenced by Tughlaq Architectures; such as Khirki Masjid or Kalan Mosque of Delhi. Influenced by this structure, some other mosques were built in Dhaka and Murshidabad.
Architectural Properties: The western half of the 3.05 meter high vaulted platform (28.65 meter from north to south and 24.38 meter from east to west) is occupied by the original three-domed mosque. It measures, inclusive of the four octagonal towers on the exterior angles, 16.15 meter by 7.92 meter. There are three four-centered archways in the east, all opening out under half-domed vaults. The half-domed vault of the central archway still contains beautiful Muqarnas works in stucco.
Corresponding to the three eastern entrances, there are three Mihrabs inside the west wall, all now redesigned. The central mihrab still has a semi-octagonal aperture, while its flanking counterparts are rectangular in design. The mihrabs are now all studded with lustrous pieces of enamel. The rectangular frames enclosing the mihrabs are now topped by rows of painted cresting. The floor of the mosque is now laid with marble.
Three bays divides interior view of this Mosque- the central one square shaped and the side ones are rectangular. All these bays were covered with domes, the central one being bigger than its flanking counterparts. This can be deduced from the newly built three-domed prayer chamber exactly above the original one, where the central dome has been kept larger than the side ones.
The vaulted rooms, all round underneath the platform, are either square or rectangular in shape. Many of them are now let out to shopkeepers and others are still being used as accommodation. The under ceilings of these rooms are flat on the top and barrel-shaped at the sides.
Very uniquely designed and Space utilized Madrasa & Mosque: The promenade around the three domed prayer chamber, since there was no separate structure for study purpose, might have been used for open-air classes and the vaulted room with book-shelves on their walls underneath the platform may have been designed to provide residential accommodation for those who used to teach and study here. In that perspective, Chawk Mosque may be regarded as the first known example of Residential Madrasa Mosque.
It is an ingenious way of accommodating two structures-a madrasa and a mosque in a single building which not only saved space but also a considerable amount of money.
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