Choto Sona Mosque

Type: মসজিদ / ঈদগাহ

Contributed By: Nayeem

Brief

During the regime of Sultan Hussain Shah, Choto Sona Mosque was built from 1493-1519. The 50 domes of the mosque were adorned with precious elements; so it was named as Choto Sona Mosque. It is perpetuated by the Department of Archeology and Museums, Government of Bangladesh. The adorned precious elements which were responsible for giving this name, are nonexistent now. The premise of the mosque is on an overall area of 42 m from east to west and 43.5 m from north to south. The mosque is located 3.5 km from Kotwali gate, 0.5 km to south of Mughal Tankhana complex in the quarter of Firozpur. The photo of this mosque is printed in our 20 taka note.

How to go

Chapai Nawabganj is approximately 302 km away from Dhaka. After reaching in Chapai Nawabganj, take rickshaw to reach there. Click here for the direction http://bit.ly/1kUcINd

How To Reach: চাঁপাই নবাবগঞ্জ জেলা

All the buses start from Dhaka to Rajshahi, go to Chapai Nawabganj. For example, Hanif Enterprise, Modern Enterprise, Shyamoli Paribhaban etc.

NAME OF SERVICE DEPARTURE TIME Phone No.
Green Line (Volvo) 08:30AM, 03:15PM, 11:30PM 01730-060080
Hanif Enterprise 04:30AM to 11:30PM (with every 30 minutes interval) 0173-402670
Shyamoli Paribahan 05:00AM to 12:00Pm (with every 1 hour interval) 02-900331, 02-8034275.
Modern Enterprise 06:00AM to 12:00Pm (with every 1 hour interval) 9123743, 327293, 806099
The major transportation system in this town is the bus service to different districts and towns. The main transportation route is Nawabganj-Rajshahi. The bus transportation service is off three types which are gate-lock, direct and local service. The others bus routes are Nawabganj-Shibganj, Nawabganj-Naogaon, Nawabganj-Nachol, Nawabganj-Rohanpur.

The BRTC bus service serves for the long intra-district route to almost all important districts of Bangladesh. The most important long route is the Nawabganj-Dhaka. This route has ample bus service. There are two bus stoppages. The biggest one is called Chapai Nawabganj Bus Terminal and the other is the Dhaka Bus Terminal. Sona Mosjid-Rajshahi-Sona Mosjid bus Service are on at 7.15am to 5.15pm every 1 hour after.

In the past, the main transport system was based on the water path. The river Padma (Ganges), Mahananda River, Pagla, Moraganga and some beels (marshland) were used for intra-district transport system. The water level went down due to adverse effect of Farakka Barrage on Padma (Ganges) river, and therefore, water transport has lost its popularity. But still rivers are used for transportation of daily goods from different parts of the district. Still the transportation from the villages in western and eastern parts of the district depends on the boat. In the Shibgonj Upazila have a small river name [pagla].

There are limited railway services with Rohanpur and Rajshahi. One of the international rail line passes through the district to Malda, West Bengal, India. There are few services of local train from different stations of Chapai Nawabganj such as Nawabganj Sadar, Amnura, Nachole, Nijampur, Rahanpur to Rajshahi and other parts of Bangladesh and also has a shuttle service from Nawabganj to Rajshahi for the intercity train service from Rajshahi to other part of Bangladesh.

Where to Stay

There are many hotels to stay, such as Government Rest House (Rohanpur Upazila), Johrul Cottage (Shahabazpur Upazila), Hotel Al-Hera, Hotel Al-Nahid etc. in the city area.

1. Hotel Rose
Manager/Owner: Anwar Hossain Anu
Capacity: Room- 56, Seat- 73
Address: Station Road (Mohananda bus stand), Lakherajpara, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar.
Mobile: 01761855471

2. Lal Bording
Manager/Owner: Md. Sentu Mia
Capacity: Room- 16, Seat- 33
Address: Dhaka bus stand, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01718279841

3. Hotel Shopnopuri
Manager/Owner: Md. Babul Hasnat Durul
Capacity: Room- 18, Seat- 8, double- 9
Address: Arambag Mor, Bissho Road, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01711416041

4. Nababganj Boarding
Manager/Owner: Advocate Kashem Mia
Capacity: Room: 7, double: 8, Seat: 26
Address: Hospital Road, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01715167646

5. Hotel Al Nahid
Manager/Owner: Alhaz Rofiqul Islam
Capacity: Room- 28, Seat- 40
Address: Shantimor, Arambag, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01713376902

6. Hotel Rangdhonu
Manager/Owner: Mosharraf Hossain
Capacity: Room- 12, Seat: 17
Address: Lakheraj Para, Mohananda bus stand, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01712339687

7. Hotel Nazma
Capacity: 22 persons
Address: Kansat, Shibganj, Chapai Nawabganj

Things to do

Pray in the historical mosque.
Takes pictures for photographic collection of this beautiful mosque.

Eating Facilities

There are no eating facilities in the mosque. To suffice your hunger you have to search for hotels or restaurants nearby. You may also carry your own food.

Map

Array ( [0] => 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 16^th 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.

) [1] => Array ( [name] => {:en}Chuna Khola Mosque{:}{:bn}চুনাখোলা মসজিদ{:} [post_id] => 1508 [post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/chuna-khola-mosque/ [thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Chuna-Khola-Mosque-bagerhat-031-300x225.jpg [post_content] => {:en}

Chuna Khola Mosque or single domed square mosque is similar to Singair Mosque and Bibi Begni’s Mosque. Chuna Khola Mosque has three pointed arched entrances, rectangular frames border the north and south sides. The mosque has three Mihrabs along the west wall corresponding to the three doorways on the east. The central one is huge. Rectangular frames border the Mihrabs too with terracotta decorations. A horizontal row exists at the top. There is a Kalasa motif in the middle of the row above the central frame. The interiors of the Mihrabs are extensively decorated with terracotta motifs.

Unlike any other mosques from around, this one was having plenty of spaces around. In fact it was at the middle of the field (paddy or other seasonal). It is a single dome mosque and the dome is noticeably larger one. Also, the dome isn't placed at the center of the mosque. From my observation the dome is inclined slightly towards the Northern wall.

Apart from the beautiful semi spherical dome atop, the mosque is having three doors at the Eastern wall. And a single door each at the Northern and Southern walls. The mosque has beautiful four columns at the four corners of the mosque (similar to any other from it's contemporary). The shape of this Chunakhola Mosjid is square.

{:}{:bn}খুলনা বিভাগের বাগেরহাট জেলায় একটি বিশাল কৃষিক্ষেতের পাশে বিবি বেগনি মসজিদের ১ কিলোমিটার উত্তর পশ্চিমে চুনাখোলা মসজিদ অবস্থিত। এক গম্বুজবিশিষ্ট এই মসজিদটির সাথে সিঙ্গাইর মসজিদ এবং বিবি বেগনির মসজিদের মিল রয়েছে। মসজিদে তিনটি ধনুকআকারের ফটক রয়েছে এবং উত্তর ও দক্ষিনদিকে আয়াতক্ষেত্রাকার কাঠামো রয়েছে। মসজিদের পশ্চিম দেয়ালের তিনটি মিহরাব পূর্বদিকের তিনটি ফটক বরাবর অবস্থিত। এখানকার তিনটি মিহরাবের মধ্যে মাঝখানেরটি আকারে বড়। চুনাখোলা মসজিদের মিহরাবগুলোতে টেরাকোটার নকশার পাশাপাশি আয়াতক্ষেত্রাকার কাঠামো রয়েছে এবং মিহরাবগুলোর উপরিভাগে একটি সমান্তরাল সারি রয়েছে এবং মাঝখানের কাঠামোর উপরের মধ্যেখানে কলসের নকশা রয়েছে।{:} ) [2] => Array ( [name] => Dhuni Chawk Mosque [post_id] => 6526 [post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/dhuni-chawk-mosque/ [thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dhonaichak-mosque-moshjid-bangladesh-11-300x188.jpg [post_content] =>

This is known as Dhuni Chawk Mosque (ধুনি চক মসজিদ) and located at Shibganj (শিবগঞ্জ) of Chapai Nawabganj (চাপাই নবাবগঞ্জ) district of Bangladesh. Near the area of Sona Mosque (সোনা মসজিদ), there are few more archaic edifices available, this mosque is one of those.

This is a six domed mosque. It was completely dilapidated and only few walls were available. But the government totally renovated this mosque recently. There is no road available to reach near to the mosque. You have to walk through the mango garden and beside the fields. You have to rely on your GPS (24°49'54.71"N, 88° 9'1.17"E) device, or the local villagers to be you on the correct route.

No inscription was found near the mosque to know its age. The people who lived near the mosque at past were cotton carder in occupation. In Bengali, the cotton carder means Dhuni (ধুনি). Using this word, later the mosque was named as Dhuni Chawk Mosque (ধুনি চক মসজিদ).

) [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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