Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Sat Masjid
[post_id] => 7883
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/satmosjid-mohammadpur/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Sat-Masjid2-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Sat Masjid is located in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka city, the building exhibits seven domes- three over the prayer chamber and four over the corner towers. Hence it is known as Sat Gombuz (seven domed) Mosque. The mosque occupies the western end of a slightly raised masonry plinth 26.82m by 25.60m, which is enclosed by a low wall with a gateway in the middle of the eastern side. This arched gateway with flanking ornamental turrets is exactly in alignment with the central doorway of the mosque proper. The top of the gateway could be approached from either the north or the south by an ascending flight of steps.
The mosque proper forms a large rectangle 14.33m by 4.88m on the inside and is emphasised with massive hollow domed towers of octagonal design on the exterior angles. The prayer chamber is entered through arched doorways - three in the east and one each on the north and south sides.
Corresponding to the three eastern archways there are three semi-octagonal mihrabs inside the western wall. Beside the central mihrab there is a three-stepped masonry pulpit. The central archway and the central mihrab, including two other archways on the north and south walls, have outwardly projected frontons depicting ornamental turrets on either flank.
The interior of the mosque is divided by two wide arches into three conventional divisions - a large central square bay and a smaller rectangular bay on either side. The roof is covered with three slightly bulbous domes on octagonal drums, the central one being bigger than its flanking counterparts. The large central dome is supported by the wide arches together with the two blocked arches over the central mihrab and central archway and the triangular pendentives on the upper angles. But in covering the side rectangles with domes a clever method has been adopted. In order to make a circular base for the dome, the rectangular space has first been made square above by creating half-domed vaults on the east and west walls. These half-domed vaults together with a further series of pendentives on the corners directly support the small domes.
The corner towers have flanking turrets like those in Khwaja Shahbaz’s Mosque and musa khan mosque, both in Dhaka city. Each of these consists of two storeys and is a monument by itself. The lower storey is pierced with four cardinally set arched openings in the north-south and east-west axis. Internally the roof of the lower storey is domical, but its reverse side is flat and forms the floor of the upper storey.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Shahi Eidgah{:}{:bn}শাহী ঈদগাহ{:}
[post_id] => 4257
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/shahi-eidgah/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/shahi-eid-gha-11-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Shahi Eidgah was built on a hill by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century. In the two of Muslim Eids, people offer their Eid prayer here. It looks like a fort. 100,000 people can pray here in a single Jamat. There was no gate previously though now, gates are built to ensure safety. Now, government is expanding the area of Eidgah to accommodate 3 times more people at a time.
[This spot needs more detail. If you have more information and photos, please be advised to add in our website. Your name will be published as a Content Contributor]
{:}{:bn}সিলেট সার্কিট হাউজ থেকে তিন কিলোমিটার উত্তর-পূর্বে কাজীটোলা সড়কে শাহী ঈদগাহ অবস্থিত। ১৭শ শতকে মুঘল সম্রাট আওরঙ্গজেব পাহাড়ের ওপর এই ঈদগাহটি নির্মাণ করেন। প্রতি বছর দুই ঈদেই এখানে ঈদের নামাজ অনুষ্ঠিত হয়। কেল্লার মত দেখতে এই ঈদগাহে একসাথে ১,০০,০০০ মানুষ জামাতে নামাজ আদায় করতে পারেন। পূর্বে ঈদগাহে প্রবেশের জন্যে কোন ফটক না থাকলেও নিরাপত্তাজনিত কারনে এখন ফটক নির্মাণ করা হয়েছে। বর্তমানে সরকার ধারনক্ষমতা ৩ গুন বাড়ানোর লক্ষ্য নিয়ে এই ঈদগাহটি সম্প্রসারন করছে।{:}
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Chowk Bazar Shahi Mosque
[post_id] => 9953
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/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.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Nidariya Mosque
[post_id] => 4801
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/nidariya-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Nidaria-Masque.11-300x200.jpg
[post_content] =>
Mughals subadar MANSUR KHAN donated 10.56 acres of land for Nidariya Mosque and built it in 1176. In that time there was Motayalli as Ijar Mahmood Sheikh, Bijara Sheikh Mahmud,and Khan Mahmud Sheikh. People says because Subedar Mansur Kha’s not of having dari(দাড়ী) for that the mosques was known as Nidariya. Now the local people pray in this mosque.
)
)
