Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Kutub Shahi Masjid
[post_id] => 5084
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/kutub-shahi-masjid/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Kutub-Shahi-Mosjid-astagram-05-by-Lonely-Traveler-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Name of the mosque is Kutub Shahi Mosque (কুতুব শাহী মসজিদ). This is basically a five dome mosque. One larger dome is at the center, and other four domes are near at the corner of the mosque. This is a rectangular shaped mosque and typical smaller one. That's why all the domes atop are jammed together.
Central dome of the Kutub Shah Mosque (কুতুব শাহী মসজিদ) is slightly semi spherical shaped and the other four domes are the shape of oval (half of the oval). Each of the domes are having upside down like flowering ornate at the top.
There is a doubt available between the scholars regarding the building period of the mosque. Some believe its 16th century and some believe it’s from 17th century. Whatever it is, the mosque was built by a saint named Kutub Shah (কুতুব শাহ), and the name of the mosque is taken after him. His grave is located exactly beside the mosque along with other of his companions (locals’ assumption).
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Musa Khan Mosque
[post_id] => 7326
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/musa-khan-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Musa-Khan-Mosque1-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Musa Khan Mosque (মুসা খাঁ মসজিদ) is yet another edifice inside the Dhaka University premise that was built during the Mughal era. Location of the antique mosque is at south of Doyel Chattar, beside the Karzon Hall, opposite of the Dhaka University swimming complex. Exact Google map coordinate is (23°43'36.33"N, 90°24'2.92"E). You can find another mosque (Shahbaz Khan Mosque) near that place contemporary to this one.
Probably this mosque was built by Musa Khan, son of Isha Khan who was a prominent Zamindar from Baro Bhuiyan. It was quite unsure about the original time when it was built. Musa Khan died during 1623, but the structure of the mosque is almost similar to the Khwaja Shahbaz's Mosque and it was built during 1679. So neither the date nor the builder of the mosque is confirmed. Some people believe this one was built by either Shaista Khan or even later by Dewan Manawar Khan.
The mosque has a vault platform, and over this plinth the main architecture of the mosque is planted. It is a small building just like any other mosques during that period. It has three domes over the top. Middle one is the larger than other twos. Both the inside and outside of the mosque is plastered with cement and washed white with lime. There is a grave of Musa Khan is available at the northeast side.
The mosque has gone through several renovations. Also from the first sight it seemed to me, it is currently not under proper care. The authority just placed a signboard beside the mosque and thought their works are done. It is not a good practice to color this building with yellow this year, and next year white(I have seen this mosque in several colors over the last few years), and finally let the color be disappeared. We are not in a position to do experiment on such a precious object.
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Binot Bibi Mosque
[post_id] => 1446
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/binot-bibi-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Binat-Bibi-Mosque-3-300x200.jpg
[post_content] =>
Binot Bibi Mosque is the earliest surviving mosque in Dhaka built in 1454 by Bakht Binat, the daughter of Marhamat. It was during the rule of the Sultan of Bengal, Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah (1435–1459). Binat Bibi Mosque is the earliest surviving mosque in Dhaka built in 1454 by Bakht Binat, the daughter of Marhamat. It was during the rule of the Sultan of Bengal, Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah (r. 1435–1459). The mosque is located beside the Hayat Bepari's Bridge in Narinda area.
The mosque is a square, single domed measuring 12 feet (3.7 m) square internally with a single hemispherical dome, at the top of the square room. Entrances are from east, north and south. Pre-Mughal features included the curved cornices and battlements, corner octagonal turrets, and arches on the south, north and eastern sides. The ornamentation is modest and the building is coated with plaster.
Part of the mosque is being demolished as part of a renovation plan which includes building a 70-foot (21 m) high minaret, and the extension of the current building from three stories to seven.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Chandamari Mosque
[post_id] => 6325
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/chandamari-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Chandamari-Mosque-300x200-300x200.jpg
[post_content] =>
The Chandamari mosque in Kurigram is an ancient Mughal mosque that has been around for centuries. However, the mosque is falling inexorably into ruin due to acid rain and lack of proper maintenance. The mosque is situated in the village of Chandamari in Chakirpasha union under the Rajarhat Upazila in the district of Kurigram. No one knows the exact year the mosque was built or who built it. The locals consider it the oldest mosque in the area, at approximately five hundred years old. The architecture of the mosque is very similar to that of other buildings dating back to the Mughal times. It should be mentioned that there is no department of archaeology in the district. Should archaeologists visit the mosque and perform carbon dating experiments, its year of foundation may be pinpointed.
During a visit to the site, local man Abdul Zalil Sarker and President of the Mosque Committee Jakir Hossen Chowdhury told Star Insight that perhaps future generations will know the exact age of the mosque. "It was built in the 16th or 17th century. It bears some similarities to the structure of the Atia mosque (1609 AD) in Tangail," a local historian said. Local sources say that though there are 52 decimals of land in the mosque's name, whilst it is established on only five decimals. The height of the mosque is 45”. There are three large, four medium and twenty-four small domes on top, the four corners and around the mosque respectively. Nine of smaller domes have been damaged.
This mosque, however, is not one of a kind. Hundreds of old buildings with ample antique value and rich heritage are crumbling due to lack of care while others are even being deconstructed. The issue seems to be ignored completely by authorities despite plenty of public interest and protest.
The mosque was made with flat tally bricks, which were cemented together with a kind of paste called Bhishkas. The thickness of walls, roof and domes are 4”. From a long period of continued carelessness, a crack had formed in the center of the 3 large domes. Being unfit, the middle dome was reduced by ½ feet and repaired by the mosque committee, who also built a tin-shed porch in front of the mosque.
)
)
