Kartalab Khan Mosque

The 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) between 1700 and 1704.[2] 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. It is roofed by five domes resting on octagonal drums.[3] The mosque was extensively renovated by Mirza Golam Pir in the nineteenth century.[4] 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
Kartalab Khan Mosque is located in Bangladesh
Kartalab Khan Mosque
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
MaterialsBricks, sand, lime[1]

History
Old image of Begum Bazar Mosque

Kartalab Khan Mosque is one of the largest Mughal mosques in Dhaka. It is built on a high platform called a tahkhana.[4] Underneath the platform there is a series of rectangular rooms that are let out to shopkeepers.[3] A fish market was built to meet the expenses of the mosque.[4]

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 the Deccan before coming to Dhaka.[3]

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 possibly that of the mosque originate from her name. Another possibility is that it was named after a mutawallī (administrator) of the mosque.[4]

Architectural value

As stated by archaeologist Ahmad Hasan Dani,[5]

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 entrances, 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)

References
  1. 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.
  2. Ahmed, Nazimuddin (1984). Discover the Monuments of Bangladesh. Dhaka: University Press. p. 179. OCLC 768307223.
  3. Bari, MA (2012). "Kartalab Khan's Mosque". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  4. Rahman, Mahbubur (2011). City of an Architect. Delvistaa Foundation. p. 22. ISBN 978-984-33-2451-1.
  5. Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1961). Muslim architecture in Bengal. Dacca: Asiatic Society of Pakistan. p. 202. OCLC 1118771.
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