Mathurapur Deul : Mound from the Bara-Bhuiyans Reign

Mathurapur Deul : Mound from the Bara-Bhuiyans Reign
Ganja : Madhukhali : Faridpur : Bangladesh

Introduction

Mathurapur Deul(high mound) is an archeological heritage, a unique vestige of the Bara-Bhuiyans reign in Faridpur. Like most of the archeological places, this one is a 16th century architect comprising terracotta from Hindu Myth. The Deul is situated at Mathurapur of Gajna union under Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur district. Though Deul means the wall in Bangla, but its not a wall at all. 

What is Mound ?
A mound is a general term for an artificial heaped pile of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris. The most common use is in reference to natural earthen formation such as hills and mountains, particularly if they appear artificial. In the archaeology, the term "mound" has specific and technical connotations. In this sense, a mound is a deliberately constructed elevated earthen structure or earthwork, intended for a range of potential uses. In European and Asian archaeology, the word "tumulus" may be used as a synonym for an artificial hill, particularly if the hill is related to particular burial customs. (Wiki)

The Daily Star 2008-07-05

Hight of Mathurapur Mound
I am confused about the hight of this medieval mound, because there are several statistics available about its hight varied from 70 to 90 feet. Department of Archeology provided that this authentic structure is 80 feet hight.


Terracotta

One look at the structure reveals its unique beauty: Fashioned out of terracotta, the Deul is decorated with numerous mythical figures such as terracotta flowers and foliage, gods and goddesses, Hanuman in ecstatic mood, nude dancing figures, and horses in motion.

The Daily Star 2008-07-05

The Myth
There are several myth about building the artificial mound. I prefer the most authentic proof related to the Raja Sitaram also known as Mukunda Ray, the King of self sovereign Bhusna, just four kilometers from this Duel, built this Duel.The beleaguered king turned for help to King Pratapadittya of Jessore and Isa Khan of Sonargaon. Both sent soldiers to help Sitaram. However, the soldiers of the two rulers arrived late, as they had to cross the rivers Garai, Madhumati, Chandana and Padma. As the Mughal soldiers attacked Bhusana, King Sitaram fought back valiantly and won the battle. Later, gathering strength from Delhi, the Mughal soldiers once again engaged in the battle and won the fight.

Other mythes
King Mathura Mohan, after whom the village was named. Mathura wished to build a tomb in his lifetime and he was buried beside the Deul after his death. However, other schools of thought strongly refute this theory.
According to Sultana Zakia Bedura, research assistant of Archaeology Department, there was a Subedar of Fatehabad named Sangram Singh who built the Deul.According to another reference this region was familiar as Fatehabad and divided into 30 parganas. One of these, Bhusana, was ruled by a king called Satrajit who was defeated by Mughal soldiers. To celebrate their victory, the latter built the Deul.Another wonderful mythological story has it that the Deul was seven-storied and there was the flowing Chandana River. Envious of each other, the Deul wanted to make the river dry, while the river wanted to drown the Deul. At last, the Deul won; it was partially drowned but left the river dry. Chandana River is no more.
There's another story that Emperor Akbar sent his general Man Singh to defeat the 'Baro Bhuiyan' (the twelve rulers in Bengal). While Man Singh was successful, a close aide of his died in the battle. As a sign of commemoration, Man Singh had the Deul built.(Rezaul Karim, the Daily Star)

Travel route from Madhukhali Bazar (Click for Enlarge pix)

How to reach there
If anyone wants to go there from Faridpur Town, will find many local buses to come in Madhukhali.Bus for khulna, jhenaidah or Magura also goes through Madhukhali.  It may take 45 minutes to reach Madhukhali bazar, which is a common node of Faridpur-Khulna Highway. After dropping at Madhukhali node, there is a feeder road goes to Rajbari town  north to  Madhukhali, the mound is situated 2 kilometers north from bazar, right side of that road. The bank of river Candana is in close vicinity (just left to that) mound. Rickshaw is best transport to reach duel from Madhukhali, it may take 10 taka fair for a single trip, 30 taka for up-down from Mahdukhali. Enjoy!
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Google Earth

Nayabad Masjid : Vestige of Mughal Architecture

Nayabad Masjid : Vestige of Mughal Architecture

Ramchandrapur: Kaharole: Dinajpur: Bangladesh

Introduction

Nayabad Masjid is an architectural vestige. which was built just after the  erection of  Kantanagar Temple. According to local traditions, the mosque was built by Muslim architectural workers who had come to this place from the west to build Kantanagar Temple sometime in mid-18th century. They had settled in Nayabad, a village near the temple, and had built the masjid for their own use.

Before Renovation From Banglapedia 

Location
The masjid is situated on the bank of the Dhepa river in village Nayabad in Ramchandrapur Union under Kaharol Thana of Dinajpur district, about 20 km to the north-west of the district town. The mosque, built on about 1.15 bighas of land, has been renovated by the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh.

Construction Period
An inscription on the central doorway records the date of its construction as 2 Jyaistha, 1200 (Bangla Calender) (1793 AD) in the reign of Mughal Emperor shah alam II. According to local traditions, the mosque was built by Muslim architectural workers who had come to this place from the west to build Kantanagar Temple sometime in mid-18th century. They had settled in Nayabad, a village near the temple, and had built the mosque for their own use.

Photo by Tanzirian

Architect
It is an oblong three-domed mosque with octagonal towers at the four corners and measures 12.45m ´ 5.5m externally. The walls are 1.10m thick. Of the three arched entrances the central one is bigger than the flanking ones. These are equal in height and width. The central arch is 1.95m high and 1.15m wide. There is an arched window each on the south and north sides. Multi-cusped arches have been used in the doorways and windows. There are three mihrabs inside in the western wall in line with the three entrances. The central mihrab (2,30m high and 1.08m wide) is bigger than the flanking ones which are of equal size. Three hemispherical domes cover the mosque, of which the central one is bigger than the side ones. Pendentives have been used in their phase of transition. The parapet and cornice are straight. 


Of the four corner towers in the four outer corners of the mosque two (northeastern and northwestern) still possess the cupolas on their top. The top of the other two is now bare. The corner towers are plastered and gradually tapering; each had a lantern-like chhatri on the top crowned with a cupola. Four bands at regular intervals decorate the surface of each tower.


Terra cotta
The terracotta plaques used in the decoration of the mosque have become loose and most of them have been damaged. At present there are about 104 terracotta plaques (rectangular in shape, 0.40m ´ 0.30m) used in the surface decoration of the mosque walls. Though damaged some of them show floral and creeper motifs. It is noteworthy that one contains a depiction of a pair of peacocks.


Interesting findings
There is a grave of a person in the premises of the Masjid. There is no proper information about this grave. There is a common rumor that this is the grave of Kalu Khan,the master architect  of Kantanagar Temple. Local people also believe that the masjid was build from the extra materials left after completing the temple.  A madrasa has recently been built in front of the Masjid. Another rumor about the builder is supported by the Daily Star, that this masjid belonging to the second phase development of Islamic period of Bengal was built by Skeikh Mujib Allah who lived in Parganah Nurour during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II in 1785 AD (A.H.1200). During that period the Zaminder was Raja Baidyanath, the last of the Dinajpur Raj family.


How to Reach There
One can start his journey for the monument from Dinajpur town or Sayedpur Airport by any kind of motorized vehicle. If he is a biker, than there is no problem. I suggest travelers to hire a rickshaw van of take a ride by 'Nosimon' from the place called 'Das Mile*, which means 10 miles' upto 'Baro Mile*, which means 12 miles' boat point.It may take 10-20 Taka person for ride. 

Travel route from Dasmile to Masjid in Google Map[CLICK FOR LARGE VIEW]

After Reaching Baro Mile point cross the Dhepa River. Travelers will find boatman waiting for crossing the silty river to Kantanagar hamlet. Than just little walk will lead the travelers to the premises of the temple. There is a road to the North Wast side of the temple, which lead the travelers to the Nayabad village, just a 15 minutes walk. Enjoy.
*These places are named base on the distance from Dinajpur Town.
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Mainly compiled from Banglapedia | The Daily Star |  Google Earth KMZ

Kantanagar Temple : The Exuberance of Terracotta Art

Kantanagar Temple : The Exuberance of Terracotta Art

Sundarpur: Kaharole: Dinajpur: Bangladesh

1870's from Wiki

Introduction

Kantanagar Temple [also known as Kantaji or kantajir Mandir or sporadically titled as Kanta-jiw(jew) Temple], an eighteenth century brick temple situated in the peaceful island hamlet of Kantanagar (Kantanagar), in Sundarpur Union; about 12 miles north of Dinajpur town, and about a mile west of Dinajpur-Tetulia highway across the Dhepa river.It has gained eminence as an outstanding monument in Bengal for its fabulous terracotta embellishment. A breath taking religious edifice belonging to the late medieval period, exhibits the exuberance of terracotta art at its best in Bangladesh. This nava-ratna or 'nine spired' Hindu temple, now stripped off its original nine spires atop its corners during the devastating earthquake of 1897.This temple is listed as world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.

Construction Period 
The confusion about the date of its construction can be settled from the record of a chronogram in the Sanskrit stone inscription, fixed on the northeast corner plinth of the temple. It records that Maharaja Prannath of Dinajpur began its construction about 1722. Bangladesh Archeology Department stated as,"Maharaja Pran Nath built it in 1752" in their website. 

From Banglapedia

It was completed by his adopted son Maharaja Ramnath, in Shaka era 1674 (1752 AD) in order to propitiate the consort of Rukmini in fulfillment of his father's wish. However, in the early 20th century Maharaja Girijanath Bahadur restored it substantially, except for the missing nine spires. The description in front of temple stated the erection of temple during 1704 AD-1752 AD.

Department of Archeology Bangladesh

A Nine Towered Temple

We already know that it was originally a Navaratna (nine- towered) temple, which are now ruined. Every inch of its surface is lavishly decorated with different scenes as described in the two Hindu Great Epics, various Hindu divinities, and contemporary social life and floral cum geometric motifs.
Temple rose in three receding terraces and was crowned with nine ornamental spires or ratnas (jewels) on the corner of the three terraces which imparted to it an appearance of a huge ratha or an ornate chariot resting on a high plinth. It was provided with arched openings on all four sides in order to enable devotees to see the deity enshrined inside from all directions.

Atiya Masjid : 4 Century Old Architecture

Nowadays I am passing my most lazy days. A trip out of home works like a  tonic for me, to reshuffle my schedule and of course, daily life. Here is a new sightbywalk edition, this time- its from Delduar, Tangail. 

Atiya Masjid : 4 Century Old Architecture

.Atiya Masjid is situated in the village of Atiya under Delduar Thana in Tangail district, about six kilometers south of the district headquarters. It stands on the east bank of the Louhajang River. A four century old architechture, one of the impressive example of Muslim-Bangla terracotta art.

History

According to an inscription (preserved in bangladesh national museum, Dhaka),

the mosque was constructed in 1019 AH (1610-11 AD) during the reign of

Emperor jahangir by Sayeed Khan Panni, son of Baizid Khan Panni, in honour of Shah Baba Kashmiri.

The builder also excavated a big tank on the western side of the mosque.

Atiya came into prominence after the arrival of a great saint Shah Baba Kashmiri,

who propagated Islam in this part of Bengal.

Now a replica of the inscription,fixed over the central doorway of the mosque,

indicates that it was erected in 1018 AH (1609 AD).

Entrances, Qibla and Mihrabs

The eastern facade has three arched entrances; the middle one is slightly larger than the others. The arches are of the four-centred variety. The main prayer chamber is accessible from the corridor through three smaller doorways. The mosque has four other openings, two each on the south and north sides. On the qibla wall there are three decorated mihrabs, the central one has an external projection on the west side. 

Terracotta

In the field of decorative art, especially in terracotta and carved brick ornamentation, the craftsmen of Bengal made a distinct contribution. The structural feature of the Bengali villager's plaited grass huts is reflected in the close-set panel-decoration of the facade of Atiya Mosque.The terracotta panels depict designs of abstract, geometric and floral patterns only. The mosque blends harmoniously both the Sultanate and Mughal features of Bengal architecture.

Image : 

Maremagna from Panoramio ,

Major  Reading Stuff : Banglapedia

More Image in: Wikimedia

Google Earth View