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Thursday, May 24, 2007

Khawaja Shahbaz Mosque & Tomb - a solitary splendor in Ramna


Khwaja Shahbaz Mosque viewed through 'Tin netar mazar' (Three leaders' mausoleum)

Mosque passage adorned with peddlers' clothes

Viewed from west over the roof of 'Tin netar majar'

Khwaja Shahbaz Mosque built in 1679 AD

Mosque courtyard - east view

Persian inscription on year of construction

Central archway of Mosque

Tomb of Haji Khawaja Shahbaz

'Do-chala' (roof with curved eaves) passage room in the south

Tomb of Haji Khawaja Shahbaz- builder of the mosque and the tomb

Khawaja Shahbaz's Mosque and Tomb is located behind the Dhaka High Court, almost hidden by ‘Shishu Academy’ at the south and by the rich sculptural mausoleum of the three leaders (Tin Netar Mazar) at west.

Haji Khawaja Shahbaz, Malik-ul-tujjur or Merchant-Prince of Dhaka, lived in Tongi after he came to this country. During the vice-royalty of Mughal prince Mohammad Azam, he built the mosque and his own tomb structure in 1679 AD in the surrounding of Ramna green. The mosque, featuring ‘Shaista Khani style’ of the three domes on a spacious oblong structure resting upon a raised platform, measures externally 20.73 m by 7.92m. The eastern facade has a projected front in the middle, through which opens out the central doorway fitted with a stone arched frame. It is flanked on either side by a smaller archway.

The tomb of the Merchant-prince on the east of mosque, is a square structure roofed over by a single low dome strengthened with octagonal towers on the four exterior angles. On the south, the hut-shaped structure refers to the typical Bengali 'do-chala' thatched hut type roof that had overwhelming influence during the 17th and 18th century Mughal architecture. The corner towers are extended beyond the horizontal parapets and topped by typical Mughal kiosks. Access to the tomb can be made from each side through four centered arched entrances.

It is also said that Khawaja Shahbaz came all the way from Tongi to the mosque he built in Ramna to say his prayers. He built his tomb before his demise. It seems that so much of his love embraced the mosque that his spirit could not exist without his favorite praying place.

2 comments:

  1. Interesting! The jack fruit tree looks amazing too.Thanks
    Shireen

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  2. Thank you ever so much for the pictures. I love it.

    Jazakallahu khairan

    Riad

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