Kartalab Khan Mosque

Kartalab Khan Mosque or Begum Bazar Mosque, in the Begum Bazar area in old Dhaka, Bangladesh, was built by Nawab Diwan Murshid Quli Khan (alias Kartalab Khan) in 1701–04. It is beside the modern jail of the city. The mosque consists of a high valuated platform, a mosque with a 'dochala' annex on the north upon the western half of the platform and a 'baoli' (stepped well) to the east of the platform. Unlike the three-domed mosques at Lalbagh Fort and the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque, it is roofed by five bulbous domes resting on octagonal drums. The whole mosque was once reconstructed by the Jamider of Dhaka, Mirza Golam Pir. In accordance with Murshid Quli Khan's wishes, he was buried under the entrance to this mosque.

Begum Bazar Mosque
Present condition of Begum Bazar Mosque, 2012
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Location
LocationDhaka, Bangladesh
Shown within Bangladesh
Geographic coordinates23.7169°N 90.3986°E / 23.7169; 90.3986
Architecture
Architect(s)Nawab Diwan Murshid Quli Khan
TypeMosque
StyleMughal architecture
Date established1701−04
Specifications
Dome(s)5[1]
MaterialsBricks, sand, lime[2]

History

Kartalab Khan was appointed as Diwan (revenue administrator) of Bengal by Emperor Aurangazeb, when Azim-ush-Shan was Viceroy. His original name was Murshid Quli Khan but he earned the title of Kartalab Khan from Emperor Aurangazwb for his efficiency in Revenue Administration. After coming to Bengal he erected a mosque at Dhaka, known after his name.

Murshid Khuli Khan transferred the headquarters of the revenue administration from Dhaka to Mukshusabad, later renamed Murshidabad in the year A.D. 1704 when a tussle started with the Subedar.

Old image of Begum Bazar Mosque

The mosque is undoubtedly one of the most impressive Mughal structures of Dhaka, having been built on a high platform called 'tahkhana'. Underneath the platform there is a series of rectangular rooms that are let out to shopkeepers. A kitchen market was built to meet the expenses of the mosque.

In 1777, the control of the market was taken over by Begum daughter of the then Naib-e-Nazim Sharfaraz Khan. The name of the locality ‘Begumbazar’ and the masjid originate from her name. The 'Baoli', the only known example of its kind in Bengal, is considered to be of North Indian or Deccan origin, the latter possibility being more likely since its builder had been in Deccen before coming to Dhaka.[1][2][3]

Architectural value

As stated by Dani,[4]

The mosque proper also shows a departure from the earlier buildings. The older features of the three-domed mosque are here repeated and multiplied so as to make a five-domed mosque. The facade shows five entrance, each separated from the other by slender minaret rising high above the battlemented parapet. Similarly the corner towers have their kiosks shooting above.

See also

Bibliography

  • Mamoon, Muntasir. (1993). Dhaka-Smriti Bismritir Nogori. Dhaka: Anannya. (Page-182-183)
  • Rahman, Mahbubur, The city of an architect
  • Ahmed, Nazimuddin. 1984. Discover the monuments of Bangladesh. Dhaka: University Press Limited, 179.
  • MA Bari, Kartalab Khan Mosque in Banglapedia

References

  1. "Kartalab Khan Mosque". ARCHNET. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  2. A. T. M. Shamsuzzoha; Hamidul Islam (2011). "Structure, Decoration and Materials: Mughal Mosques of Medieval Dhaka". Journal of the Bangladesh Association of Young Researchers. 1 (1): 100. doi:10.3329/jbayr.v1i1.6841.
  3. Ahmed, Ershad (1 September 2007). "Dhaka: Kartalab Khan Mosque, Begumbazar and the Builder". Dhaka Daily Photo. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. Dani, A. H. (1961). Muslim architecture in Bengal. Dacca: Asiatic Society of Pakistan.
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