Brief
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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[name] => Mahajampur Ahamad Shah Mosque
[post_id] => 11558
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/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.
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[name] => Isha Kha Jongolbari and Mosque
[post_id] => 5067
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/isha-kha-jongolbari-and-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Isha-Kha-Jongolbari-and-Mosque-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Jungle-bari (জঙ্গলবাড়ী) is mainly a fort that is located at the Jungle-bari (জঙ্গলবাড়ী) of Karimganj Upazila (করিমগঞ্জ উপজেলা) of Kishoreganj (কিশোরগঞ্জ). It was the second capital of Isha Khan (ইশা খাঁ). He captured the fort from Lokkhon Shing Hajara (লক্ষন সিং হাজারা) during the battle of Egaro Shindur (এগারো সিন্দুর) with Man Singh (মান সিংহ).
This is known as Jungle-bari Durgo (জঙ্গলবাড়ী দুর্গ), Isha Khar Bari (ইশা খাঁর বাড়ী), etc. to the local people. There is a dilapidated building is still available there. A portion of that building is still being used by the decedents from Isha Kha (ইশা খাঁ).
An archaic mosque is available just beside the Jungle-bari (জঙ্গলবাড়ী) fort. It’s a small rectangular shaped mosque having three domes at the top and four minarets at the four corners. A large pond is available at the eastern side of the mosque.
Most of the Zamindar Bari (জমিদার বাড়ী) from Bangladesh are in a very poor condition. That time the owners were facing difficulties for religious upheaval and other adverse situations, thus they have sensed an urgency to leave this country for their own safety. But fortunately, here they are still living with pride, may be they were too much friendly with the peasants.
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[name] => {:en}Bibi Begni Mosque{:}{:bn}বিবি বেগনীর মসজিদ{:}
[post_id] => 6467
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/bibi-begni-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Bibi-Begni-Mosque-bagerhat-011-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Bibi Begni Mosque (বিবি বেগনীর মসজিদ) is located at the western side of the famous Shat Gombuj Mosque of Bagerhat. The department of archaeology has renovated the mosque thoroughly, but couldn't restore the vicinity area that is occupied by the local villagers these days. Bibi Begni Mosque is yet another traditional singled dome mosque from Bangladesh. The original history behind the mosque is unknown. Some people believe that Bibi Begni was one of the wives of Khan Jahan Ali, and some believe that she was a concubine (a mistress) of him. And also, they doubt whether it is really a mosque or a grave. Some scholars represent this type of edifice as a funerary mosque.
This is a single dome mosque having entrances at the three sides other than West. At the Eastern side of the mosque it has three gates, whereas the middle one is larger. And at Northern and Southern side of the wall it has single door each. These days only the door from Northern side remains open to enter inside. The dome atop of the mosque is having a regular shape of other contemporary mosques (of 15th century). The area around the mosque is occupied by the villagers and only a few portion remained around it. It is probably not a good idea to preserve antiquity in such a way. Government should free some spaces from around so that visitors can move around the mosque freely.
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বাগেরহাটের বিখ্যাত ষাট গম্বুজ মসজিদের পশ্চিম দিকে বিবি বেগনীর মসজিদটি অবস্থিত। প্রত্নতত্ত্ব অধিদফতর মসজিদটির ব্যাপক মেরামতের কাজ করলেও স্থানীয়দের দখল করা মসজিদের এলাকা উদ্ধার করতে পারেনি। তারপরও বিবি বেগনীর মসজিদ বাংলাদেশের ঐতিহ্যবাহী একটি একগম্বুজ বিশিষ্ট মসজিদ। মসজিদের প্রকৃত ইতিহাস জানা না গেলেও স্থানীয়রা মনে করেন বিবি বেগনী ছিলেন খান জাহান আলীর একজন স্ত্রী আবার অনেকে মনে করেন তিনি ছিলেন খান জাহান আলীর একজন দাসী। এছাড়া এটি প্রকৃতপক্ষে একটি মসজিদ নাকি কবর এ ব্যাপারেও সন্দেহ রয়েছে। কোন কোন ইতিহাসবিদ এ জাতীয় স্থাপনাকে মাজার ভিত্তিক মসজিদ হিসেবে গণ্য করে থাকে।
একগম্বুজ বিশিষ্ট এই মসজিদের পশ্চিম দিক ব্যাতিত অন্য তিন দিকেই প্রবেশের ফটক রয়েছে। মসজিদের পূর্বদিকের তিনটি ফটকের মধ্যে মাঝেরটি বড়। এছাড়া এই মসজিদে উত্তর এবং দক্ষিন দিকের দেয়ালে একটি করে ফটক রয়েছে। তবে আজকাল শুধুমাত্র মসজিদের উত্তর দিকের ফটকটি মসজিদে প্রবেশের জন্য উন্মুক্ত রাখা হয়। বিবি বেগনীর মসজিদের গম্বুজটির আকার সমসাময়িক (১৫শ শতকের) অন্যান্য মসজিদের গম্বুজের মতই। মসজিদের আশেপাশের বেশীরভাগ এলাকাই গ্রামবাসীরা দখল করে নিয়েছে আর এভাবে মসজিদের প্রাচীনতা ধরে রাখা কঠিন। সরকারের উচিত মসজিদের আশেপাশের জায়গা দখলমুক্ত করা যাতে করে পর্যটকরা মসজিদের আশেপাশে ঘুরে বেড়াতে পারে।
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[3] => Array
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[name] => Chand Gazi Bhuiya Mosque
[post_id] => 1083
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/chand-gazi-bhuiya-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Chad-Kha-MosqueFeni12-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Chad Gazi Bhuya Mosque, also known as Chad Kha Mosque, is an archaic mosque from the Feni district that was built during 1112 Hijri (Arabic Calendar). According to the inscription at the front door, the mosque was built by someone named Chad Gazi Bhuya. It’s a traditional three domed mosque, domes are in a single row. Center one is larger compared to the others. All the three domes are having a Lotus at the top and two Kolosh (native water pot). This looks delicately beautiful and adds an extraordinary beauty to the mosque.
Apart from the domes, the mosque has 12 minarets over the walls in a symmetric way. Four minarets at the four corners are having similar style and other 8 minarets amid the walls are also having similar style. Eastern side of the wall is having simple terracotta along with the terracotta above the front door.
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