Array
(
[0] => 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.
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[1] => Array
(
[name] => Court Masjid
[post_id] => 6015
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/court-masjid/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Court-Mosjid-Gopalganj-01-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Court Masjid (কোর্ট মসজিদ) is located at the center of the Gopalganj Sadar Upazila. It is a nicely decorated mosque having a high minaret beside and a central dome atop of the mosque. The dome and the minaret is oriented with lot of small stars. This mosque was inaugurated (at 1949) by the Khaza Nazimuddin (খাজা নাজিমুদ্দিন), the former governor general of East Pakistan.
[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]
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Nawabbari Mosque of Dhonbari{:}{:bn}ধনবাড়ির নবাববাড়ি মসজিদ{:}
[post_id] => 5273
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/nawabbari-mosque-of-dhonbari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Dhanbari-mosque-Kabir-Uddin1-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Nawabbari Mosque of Dhonbari is built at the outside of the Nawab Manzil premise, so that local people can access it during their prayer time. Initially, Nawabbari Mosque of Dhonbari was an old fashioned three domes mosque similar to the other ancient mosques from Bangladesh. But later this mosque was extended to accommodate more people. Extended part is having 10/12 minarets at top which are similar to Persian design. This extension with the old fashioned mosque made it a hybrid looking mosque. Not enough antiquities are left now a days.
But still, you'll love to see this mosque. It’s neat and clean everywhere. Apart from the mosque, there are few micro edifices are available around the mosque. I am not sure what those are.
There are few old graves available at the graveyard which is at the western side of the mosque. Since 1929, after the death of Nawab Ali Choudhury (নবাব আলী চৌধুরী) the Holy Qur'an has been recited continually beside his grave.
{:}{:bn}
জনসাধারণ যেন নামাজ পড়তে পারেন সেজন্য এই মসজিদটি নবাব মঞ্জিলের সীমানার বাইরে নির্মাণ করা হয়েছিল। বাংলাদেশের অন্যান্য প্রাচীন মসজিদের মত এটিও একটি তিনগম্বুজ বিশিষ্ট মসজিদ ছিল। পরবর্তীতে ধারনক্ষমতা বাড়ানোর জন্য মসজিদটিকে বর্ধিত করা হয়। মসজিদটির বর্ধিত অংশে পারস্য নকশার সাথে মিল রেখে ১০ টি থেকে ১২ টি মিনার নির্মাণ করা হয়। বর্ধিতকরনের কারনে মসজিদটির প্রাচীন বৈশিষ্ট্য অনেকাংশেই লোপ পেয়েছে।
তবে এখনও পরিষ্কার পরিছন্ন মসজিদটি দেখে আপনার ভাল লাগবে। মসজিদের আশেপাশে কিছু ক্ষুদ্রাকৃতির স্তম্ভ রয়েছে যদিও এসব কি এবং কেন এখানে রয়েছে তা জানা যায়নি। মসজিদের পশ্চিমে অবস্থিত কবরস্থানে কিছু প্রাচীন কবর রয়েছে। ১৯২৯ সালে নবাব আলী চৌধুরীর মৃত্যুর পর তাঁর কবরের পাশে সবসময় পবিত্র কোরআন শরীফ পড়া হয়ে আসছে।
{:}
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Softhori Mosque
[post_id] => 3104
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/softhori-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Softhori-Mosque-212x300.gif
[post_content] =>
Softhori Mosque is located at center of Atwari-Boda road and the bounding line of Atwari and Thakurgaon sub-district of Panchagarh. It is the oldest mosque of the district. A person name Sudharu Saha was established Softhori Mosque. No actual information about its formation date. But there is similarity between Softhori Mosque and dome mosque at Mugrapara in Sonargaon in Narayanganj district.
It was built during the Sultani time, in 1478. For the similarity between two mosques it is assumed that Solthori Mosque was established during the Sultani time. Squire Shape Solthori Mosque has only twelve ft. width walls, with no specific place for the Imam. Hence the entry door is very low and only 5 people can pray together once. In the north and south side there are two small door. The wide compound of the front has an arch. Now the arch has changed its real look. The walls is designed with flower and leafs. The Softhori Mosque was affected by earthquake, but was reconstructed in 2007.
)
)
