Nidariya Mosque

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.

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.

Atkandi Nilkuthi Mosque (আটকান্দি নীলকুঠি মসজিদ ) is situated in the Atkandi village of Raypura upazila, Narsingdi. It was built by a man named ‘Alim Uddin’. Alim Uddin built this Mosque just beside the grave yard of his wife ‘Sadetunnesa’. To build this Mughal stylistic Mosque he brought some masons from far land Mohishur, India. Some even compare it with Tajmahal, given its architectural style and the emotions behind it.

Alim Uddin completed his education on Islamic religion from Deobond and later worked as Teacher in a madrasa, conducted by Khawaza Family in Dhaka. Later in 18th century, he built this Mosque, however the exact date of founding this Mosque could not be determined.

It is a rectangular shaped Mosque. Which can be divided into three specific spatial context. We can exemplify it as below- 1. Inner zone 2. Exterior Corridor zone 3. Exterior Porch zone (under open sky)

Inner Zone of this Mosque contains three domes, and a Mihrab. Among these, three bulbous domes, among which the middle one is the biggest. The inner zone contains two entrances.

Exterior corridor zone of this mosque is elongated in north-south forming a rectangular shape. It contains five bulbous domes, which is smaller than other three. This zone also contains five entrances which are arch shaped and decorated with multi foiled design. In parapet it’s decorated with the Merlon design. In the base line of outer wall it’s decorated with a pitcher design.

Exterior porch zone of this mosque was built considering the large gathering which take place. It’s a square shaped plastered floor, with one feet high bordered wall all around the porch. It contains a main gateway to enter into the Mosque.

Public gathering in different occasion:

In different kind of public occasions, like in the eve of Eid-festivals and in common vacations people from different parts of the country come here to visit this place. On the southern part of this Mosque there is an old Ghat (in the edge of a river) which has stepped down to the branch of Meghna river. So far we know, it was built by G.P. Wize when this region was a place to plant indigo in a massive scale.

Present Condition and ruins of several unrevealed structure:

Present condition of this Mosque is not so consistent in a sense of building strength. It is in very sensitive condition, where it is randomly being used without any treatment of conservation & preservation. That’s why we can observe some deterioration in the brick building both in Exterior & interior part.

In the northern part of the Mosque there are some ruins of buried structure. Some outer portion of that buried structure is seem like spherical shape. Which demands more exploration and systematic archaeological excavation to reveal the history behind this region.

Golakata Mosque and Dighi were built in 16th century AD.  the mosque's gigantic structure makes it very special. It stands 150 feet tall. The steps were made by bricks. Recently it looks a bit distinct. It is mixed with some colors but white & reds are frequently used. There is a huge prayer space where many people say their prayer.

There is a very big Dighi known as Galakata Dighi. This place becomes very calm and relaxed in evening by the whining of birds. Many people come here to chill. This Dighi is filled with natural beauty.

[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]

১৬শ শতকে নির্মিত গলাকাটা মসজিদটির বিশেষত্ব হল এটির বিশালাকৃতি। প্রায় ১৫০ ফুট উঁচু এই মসজিদটি অত্যন্ত যত্নের সাথে নির্মাণ করা হয় এমন একটি সময়ে যখন প্রযুক্তিগত দিক দিয়ে এই অঞ্চলের মানুষ পিছিয়ে ছিল। মসজিদের সিঁড়িগুলো ইটের তৈরি ছিল। তবে, বর্তমানে মসজিদটিকে সামান্য আলাদা দেখায়। মসজিদটিতে বিভিন্ন রঙ ব্যবহার করা হলেও লাল এবং সাদা রঙের প্রাধান্য চোখে পড়ে। গলাকাটা মসজিদের নামাজ আদায় করার স্থানটি বেশ বিশালাকারের।

এখানে গলাকাটা দীঘি নামে একটি বিশাল দীঘি রয়েছে। বিকালবেলা পাখিদের কিচিরমিচিরে দীঘির পাড়ে এক প্রশান্তিকর পরিবেশের সৃষ্টি হয়। প্রাকৃতিক সৌন্দর্যে ভরপুর এই দীঘিতে অনেকেই আসেন প্রশান্তি অর্জনের জন্য। দীঘিতে ভ্রমনের জন্য এবং এটির সৌন্দর্য উপভোগের জন্য এখানে বিভিন্ন আকারের নৌকা রয়েছে। এখানে আসলে আপনি বিশাল প্রকৃতিকে দেখে মুগ্ধ না হয়ে পারবেন না। প্রকৃতিকে দেখার পাশাপাশি আপনি দীঘিতে গোসলও করতে পারবেন।

Chamchika Mosque is a very old and beautiful mosque which was made by copying chamchika mosque in India. This is near the Khania dighi, also called Khania Dighi Masjid. Chamchika Mosque is located in Shahabazpur Upazila of Chapai Nawabganj.