Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Armenian Church
[post_id] => 1413
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/armenian-church/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/14688097-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
The evidence says about Armenian community in the region during 17th to 18th century and their existence. Armenian Church was build in 1781 on Armenian Street in Armanitola. The site was an American graveyard before before the church built. Agaminus Catachik, an Armenian, gave away the land to build the church. Michel Cerkess, Okotavata Setoor Sevorg, Aga Amnius, and Merkers Poges helped build the church.
Mother Teresa stayed in this church during a visit to Dhaka.
In the old graveyard, among the 350 people buried there, a statue stands at the grave of Catachik Avatik Thomas, portraying his wife. The statue was bought from Kolkata and the grave is inscribed with the words "Best of Husband." Following the domination of their homeland by Persian powers of the time, Armenians were sent by their new rulers to the Bengal region for both political and economic reasons. Although the Armenian presence in South Asia is now insignificant, their presence in Dhaka dates back to the 17th century. Armenians came to Dhaka for business, and have been acknowledged for displaying a passion for trade comparable to that of the Bengalis of the time. In Dhaka, Armenian merchants traded in jute and leather, and profitability in these businesses convinced some to move permanently to Bangladesh. The area where they lived became known as Armanitola.
In 1781 the now famous Armenian Church was built on Armenian Street in Armanitola, then a thriving business district. The site was an Armenian graveyard before the church was built, and the tombstones that have survived serve as a chronicle of Armenian life in the area. Agaminus Catachik, an Armenian, gave away the land to build the church. Michel Cerkess, Okotavata Setoor Sevorg, Aga Amnius, and Merkers Poges helped build the church.
In the fifty years following the church's construction, a clock tower was erected on its western side. Allegedly, the clock could be heard four miles away, and people synchronized their watches with the sound of the tower's bell. The clock stopped in 1880, and an earthquake destroyed the tower in 1897. The Armenian played a prominent part in the jute trade in Dhaka and are reputed to be the pioneers of that trade in the second half of the 19th century. Today, the last Armenian that takes cares of the church is Mikhail Hopcef Martirossian (Micheal Joseph Martin). He was also one of the Armenian who was in the jute trade.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Hoarshi Shahi Mosque{:}{:bn}হোরশী শাহী মসজিদ{:}
[post_id] => 5060
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/hoarshi-shahi-mosque/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Hoarshi-Masjidpara-Mosque-01-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Hoarshi Shahi Mosque (হোরশী শাহী মসজিদ) is actually known as Masjidpara Mosque (মসজিদপারা মসজিদ). But now a days no one knows this name anymore. Also, the local people pronounce Hoarshi as Horshi (হোরশী), more precisely Orshi (ওরশী), Hosshi (হসশি). People from this particular area pronounce Bengali words in different tone. They will find the bookish words from your mouth so much funny.
This mosque was built during 675-76AD, according to a Persian inscription that is affixed permanently over the central doorway. It was mainly a square shaped mosque having a single dome over the roof which covers almost the overall roof.
Department of Archaeology announced this as a protected monument of the country. As it is a small mosque, to accommodate more people inside the mosque premise, local people built an extension at the three sides of the mosque. The extension is having tin shade roof, and for that it’s pretty hard to locate the original mosque.
{:}{:bn}
হোরশী শাহী মসজিদটি মসজিদপাড়া মসজিদ নামে অধিক পরিচিত। তবে আজকাল কেউ আর এই নামে মসজিদটিকে চেনেনা। তাঁরা মসজিদটিকে বিভিন্ন নামে ডেকে থাকে যেমনঃ হোরশী, ওরশী, হসসি ইত্যাদি। এই অঞ্চলের মানুষেরা বাংলা ভাষা ভিন্নভাবে উচ্চারণ করে থাকে তাই আপনার মুখে শুদ্ধ বাংলা শুনে তাঁরা হেসে দিতে পারে।
মসজিদের কেন্দ্রের ফটকের উপর পারস্য ভাষায় স্থাপিত শিলালিপি থেকে জানা যায় যে ৬৭৫ অথবা ৬৭৬ সালে মসজিদটি নির্মাণ করা হয়েছিল। বর্গক্ষেত্রাকার এই মসজিদের ছাদ জুড়ে একটিমাত্র গম্বুজ রয়েছে। প্রত্নতত্ত্ব বিভাগ মসজিদটিকে পুরাকীর্তি নিদর্শন হিসেবে ঘোষণা করেছে। ছোট এই মসজিদের ধারনক্ষমতা বৃদ্ধি করতে স্থানীয়রা মসজিদটি তিনদিক থেকে সম্প্রসারণ করেছে। মসজিদের সম্প্রসারিত অংশে টিনের ছাদ থাকায় মসজিদের প্রাচীন অংশটিকে সহজে দেখতে পাওয়া যায়।
{:}
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Single domed Mosque and Tomb of Shah Mansur
[post_id] => 5775
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/single-domed-mosque-and-tomb-of-shah-mansur/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DSC_02161-300x199.jpg
[post_content] =>
In every single part of Bangladesh there are some Archaeological & Historical remains, which has enriched our cultural history. Lack of awareness and proper knowledge in common people results in gradual ruining of many Historical & Archaeological sites in our country.
One of the great example of deteriorations of an Archaeological site in Narsingdi district is ‘Single domed Mosque and Tomb of Shah Mansur’ located at Kumradi, Shibpur upazila.
It was built in eighteenth century by a Muslim saint named Shah Mansur. In course of time, the existence of the mosque is totally replaced by a new built Madrasa. But, still now the remaining of ‘Tomb of Shan Mansur’ is existing, although it is hard to assume how the original structure was.
Architectural Property and Layout:
Tomb of Shah Mansur, A massive structure which is architecturally rich and decorated with different kinds of design. It is in rectangular shape and built in very unique way. In the western wall of this building there are five arch shaped entrance, among them middle one is open and decorated with multi foil design. Others are Closed arch & also contains the same design like the opened one. The southern side of the tomb is severely disturbed, broken and ruined. Main entrance of the tomb is totally vanished, but still we can observe some three archways very close to the grave of Shah Mansur. It seems like there are two grave inside the building. We assume that other grave might be Shah Mansur’s wife.
There is another unique structure situated in the southern side of the tomb. It is just a square shaped Minar containing open space inside of it, in the roof top it contains a bulbous shaped dome. It has four arch shaped ways in four brick wall.
In the most eastern part of this tomb there is a large pond. Which is probably same years old as the tomb is.
Myth related to this Structure:
There are several myths interrelated with this feature. People say that Shah Mansur used to pet a tiger inside of square shaped structure which is situated in the eastern side of the tomb. Although, It’s a myth but it contains some evidences which might prove it true. Inside of this square shaped structure there are two iron’s ring attached with brick wall.
And it is also said, Once there were some big fishes in the pond. Local people believe that, those fish were actually cursed human being and for this reason they buried those death fish in a grave yard near to Pond.
Present Condition and Immediate Conservation Issue:
Present condition of the features situated in this complex is in very sensitive condition. One domed Mosque built by Shah Mansur is vanished and a new Madrasa replacing it. The tomb of Shah Mansur is near to destruction. The whole brick building contains several banyan tree and different species of trees.
The unique square shaped Minar is also near to ruin. Beside this structure there is bathroom built very recently for Madrasa students.
Immediate steps should be taken to conserve and preserve these features from its deterioration.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Patharghata Catholic Church{:}{:bn}পাথরঘাটা ক্যাথলিক গির্জা{:}
[post_id] => 7030
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/patharghata-catholic-church/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Patharghata-Catholic-Church3-240x300.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Patharghata Catholic Church (also known as Portuguese Catholic Church) is situated at Patharghata in Chittagong district. This beautiful church was established around 500/600 years ago.
This church has a graveyard inside it. People left their beloved person at this grave, and each of the tomb is epitaph by the word from their heart. When you'll read those notes from the tomb, it will just touch your emotion.
Most interesting thing from the church is, it has a grave and where "Sir Henry Leland Harrison" lied. The grave was made by white Marble Stone. Local says, it is an exceptional grave of the church, as the tomb has stairs as passageway inside.
Henry Leland Harrison was a writer, and his book's name is "Bengal Embankment Manual, Containing an Account of the Action of the Government in Dealing with Embankments and Watercourses." It was first published from Calcutta, Bengal Secretariat Press in 1875. From the tomb of the Harrison, it was found that the fellow was died after suffering from a Cholera at 5th May 1892. Henry Harrison was born at February 5th 1837. He was only 55 years of old when He died.
{:}{:bn}
/chittagong-district#eatingfacilities
গির্জার অভ্যন্তরে একটি কবরস্থান রয়েছে যেখানে মানুষ তাঁদের আপনজনকে চিরনিদ্রায় শায়িত করেন এবং কবরের এপিটাফে তাঁদের হৃদয়ের অনুভুতি লিখে রাখেন। এপিটাফের উপর লেখা এসব অনুভুতি আপনার হৃদয় ছুঁয়ে যাবে।
গির্জায় অবস্থিত কবরস্থানে ‘স্যার হেনরি লিল্যান্ড হ্যারিসনের সমাধি রয়েছে। সাদা মার্বেল পাথরে সমাধিটি মোড়ানো হয়েছে। স্থানীয়দের মতে হেনরি লিল্যান্ড হ্যারিসনের সমাধিটি ব্যাতিক্রমধর্মী কারন এই সমাধিতে ভেতরে প্রবেশের জন্য সিঁড়ি রয়েছে। হেনরি লিল্যান্ড হ্যারিসন একজন লেখক ছিলেন। তাঁর লেখা বই বেঙ্গল ইমবেকমেণ্ট ম্যানুয়ালে বাঁধ এবং নদীর প্রবাহ সম্পর্কে সরকারের গৃহীত পদক্ষেপের বর্ণনা রয়েছে। ১৮৭৫ সালে কলকাতার বেঙ্গল সেক্রেটারিয়েট প্রেস থেকে এই বইটি সর্বপ্রথম প্রকাশিত হয়। হ্যারিসনের সমাধির এপিটাফ থেকে জানা যায় তিনি ১৮৩৭ সালের ৫ই ফেব্রুয়ারি জন্মগ্রহন করেন এবং ১৮৯২ সালের ৫ই মে মাত্র ৫৫ বছর বয়সে কলেরাতে ভোগার পর মৃত্যুবরন করেন।
{:}
)
)
