Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Binot Bibi Mosque
[post_id] => 1446
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/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.
)
[1] => 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.
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Shahjadpur Mosque
[post_id] => 3085
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/shahjadpur-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Shahzadpur-Masjid-Banglapedia1.jpg
[post_content] => It was built in 1528 in ancient Bangla. Many people believe that it is a 15
th century architecture which was built by Shah Mokdum(R). There is no inscription found for any date. Shahjadpur mosque stands on the bank of the river Hurasagar at Dargapara, the extreme end of Shahjadpur proper, in the district of Sirajganj. It is not dated by any inscription. Architectural as well as decorative features of the mosque point to its 15th century origin. Its architectural and decorative features indicate that it is of the 15
th century. It has a rectangular multi domed shape. Externally it is 19.13m tall and 12.6m wide and internally it is 15.77m tall and 9.60m wide. Its walls are 1.5m thick. Inside we can find 2 rows made of stone pillars and they carry pointed archways. There are 8 black slag pillars. There are 5 arched entrances in the mosque parallel to the west wall mihrab.
There are eight black basalt pillars, square at the base, then octagonal, and having a square capital on the top. The mosque is entered by five impressive arched entrances parallel to the mihrabs in the west wall. There are three blind niches on the south and north sides where the openings would have been. There are two subsidiary mihrabs on the left side of the central mihrab, and one on the right side. The place of another mihrab on the right side of the central mihrab is occupied by the mimbar of the mosque. The plan shows five bays and three aisles, allowing for fifteen uniform domes over the roof. The decoration and roof the mosque is slightly curved which dates back during time of Sultanate period. This mosque resembles features of early Sultanate period of Bengal.
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[3] => 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.
)
)
