BENGAL

PROVINCIAL
 INTRODUCTION
• Bengal was established in 1203-1573 AD.
• In the 13th century Arabs invaded the bengal province and introd7ced their architecture for the first time in this region.
• The strategic center was at the junction of the Ganga and Mahananda now comprising the malda district.
• Two magic capitals of Mohammedan where Gaur and Pandua.
• These muslims rulers constructed several new cities for tresses, palaces,free standing victory-towers, citadels, immense land
bridges and embankments ,etc. In this province that includes present day Bangladesh and West Bengal in India.
• They created the buildings with the local available building materials combining the regional styles with typical muslim
features such as doms, arches ,the minarets and the mihrab.
• This amalgamation resulted into a new and improved technique name as indo-islamic architecture, enriched with regional
building tradition in Bengal.

Three phases of islamic building art of Bengal:

• Period extending from 1st conquest of country and while the
capital was at Gaur until it was moved to pandua from 1200-1340
AD.
• From the date when capital was established at pandua until the
building of the eklakhi tomb 1340-1430 AD.
• During the period from the date of the retransfer of the capital to
gaur untill the country was accquired by mughals.-1442 to 1576
AD.
 1st Phase (1200-1340 AD)
• Mohammedans first established themselves at tribeni then passed inland occupying area included within present
districts of Hugli and Burdwan.
• The lack of building stone in Bengal meant that most construction was carried out in break , of which there was
an abundant supply, and this meant that no building was possible using the usuable columns-beam construction
so characteristic of early Islamic structures.
• Pillars were made of Basalt.
• Brick thus lends Bengal architecture a style which is distinct with its pointed arches and finishes so different from
those in stone.
• Mosques made by dismantling the temples and using their materials.
• Quadrangular plan of mosque with a central courtyadd surrounded by covered arched aisles.
• Multidomed mosque.
• The buildings consisting of mosque tombs and victory tower are almost in ruined and damaged state.
 2nd Phase (1340-1430 AD)

• Mosque became larger in size.

• Entry not for east but from SE in Adina.
• New Chapel-Badhshah ka takht added in Adina
• Mihrabs were made in great number.
• Mihrabs are slight adaptation of type of niche found in Hindu sites of shrines in Bengal
• Upper part of building was of brick , substructure of façade compost of finely prepared basalt masonry
• Smal doms rised over each bay supported by pendatives . This pendatives were formed of brick built in oversealing
courses. Brick in each course were sediagonally so that their corner project.
 ADINA MASJID
• Adina Mosque was constructed in the 14th century in medieval period of
Sikandar Shah.
• The most striking aspect of its construction is the extense if Hindu influence.
• It was constructed after obliterating and super-imposing upon a hindu
construction.
• 5 bay deep aisle an west side . High vaulted sanctuary on the western side and
3 bay deep aisle on north east and south.
• Open central courtyard measures 400 ft.×130 ft. .
• Total 260 pillars within the structure.
• Whole structure measures 507ft × 285ft . Main entrance through 3 arch ways
at SE corner. Façade was a regular screen of 50ft × 60ft .
• Dome one over each bay a mounting to 306 in all.
• They are surmounted by a parapet 22ft in height.
• Screen of 88 arche from a regular façade around the interior.
• Central Nave of the sanctuary is in the form of well proprtioned hall alligned
eas and west earlier had a barrel vault. In length it is 70ft and 34ft across
while height from the paved floor to rigid of its pointed roof was probably
50ft.
 • Rectangular frame work.
• Trifoil arch alcove.
• Recess panelled with
hanging lamp of light
motif of Islam.

• Alcover mehrabs
• Within this royal chapel and all along the
inner face of western wall, alcoves
containing mihrab 32 in no. Have been
insert , one oposite the center of each bay,
all exquisitely design and sculptured.

• To the upper storey is a compartment imposed on

the northern Aisles of the sanctuary- badshah ka
takht a private chapel for king and ladies of royal
household.
• Graceful fluted Shafts,expanding lotus capital.
 3rd phase (1442-1576 AD)
• Structure were built in more moderate proportion.
• Structure adapted to indeginious conditions observed from the use of vertical and upright lines and
mouldings thus presenting a naively elementary pattern of rectangles.
• Structure had infuenced of soil of the terraqueous and deltaic region of bengal.
• Climate of Bengal was another fact of the change in style. Curved roof from , no doubt derived from its
bent bamboo predecessor to through off the excess of water duringthe heavy rainy season was adopted.
• Building became more elaborate modified and enlarge according to their functional requirement.
• Traditional courtyard plan was discarded, closed in or covered hall was adopted sometimes fronted by an
open square due to eavy and incessant rainy season.
• Long and somewhat low façade.
• Façade divided by string courses vaulted ceiling were craved in rich relief decorations.
• Octagonal turrets terminating in a finial project at each corner.
• Glazed tile used in patterns.
• Appearances were more inventive and original.
 EKLAKHI TOMB
• Built by Sultan Jala-ud-din Mohammed Shah (AD 1414-31) in
Pandua.
• Situated in south west Adina Mosque.

Important because of three reason:

1. It is a structure of marked architectural Character in itself .
2. It forms the evolutional landmark as it is the initial building of its kind .
3. It is the photo type of most of the subsequent islamic architecture of Bengal.

• Four stone doorway tomb bodily from hindu temple.

• Pointed arches with lintels craving the dorjambs span the doorways, a
feature derived from the original hindu temples through architectural
style of Tuglaq Dynasty.
• Light in the octagonal hall (47ft wide) is being admited through these
doorway as there is no windows or opening in the hall.
• A peculiar feature of the inner spacious room in it 4 alcoves built at the
corners, it often taken as cells for reader of holy Quran.
 Terracotta moldings

Eklakhi tomb exterior

Moulding on turrets
 DAKHIL DARWAJA
• This impressive gateway built of bricks was probably built by Sultan Barbekshah (1459-74
AD) in 1465 AD and served as the main entrance on north into citadel of gaur.
• It was also called Salami gate as salute were fired from it side ,built as a triumphal arch.
• The gateway represent the height of excellence that the brick mason’s of bengal were
capable of achieving.
• The arch way which is 10.35m high upto apex of the pointed arch is flanked by pylons.
• The arch way between the two pylons provides a deep and wide practico containing the
arched opening.
• Intermingling of islamic through and regular characteristics features.
 TANTIPARA MASJID
• The word Tanti in bengally mean weawer and the mosque must have got
its name for a settlements of weawer in the area.
• Five pointed arch way connected by string course of a slighter curve then
the cornice above , divides it longitudinal into equal two part .
• The arches being occupied by an uproght panel containing an ornamental
arches surrounded by delicate floral pattern , all in terracotta relief.
• The interior consists of a fine hall.measuring 76ft and 31ft wide and is
divided into aisles by stone pillars of the square end chambered
varietyoriginal part of hindu temple.
• To the east of mosque are two tombs , which probably contain the
remains of Mirshad khan, who had the mosque built , and his daughter.
 TANTIPUR MASJID

TERRACOTTA ORNAMENTATION
FLORAL PATTERN
ARCHWAYS WITH UPROGHT PANELS
DECORATION
 BARA SONA MASJID
• The bara sona masjid was built in 1526 AD by Sultan Nusrat Shah.
• It is the largest building still standing in Gaur, a ruined city on the
border of India and Bangladesh.
• Its sits at the western side of arised quadarangle , with 11 arched
opening faces an entrance gatemway and a take .
• Gateway to the east and north remain , forming an open entrance
courtyard of 200ft diameter.
• Forty-four small domes covered the interior.
• The verandah leads to a pray hall of 3 by11 bays. The mosque is built of
brick , faced in plain stone with no carvings.
• Parapet is 20ft in height.
GENERAL VIEW OF ENTRANCE COURTYARD
FROM THE SOUTH

INTERIOR ROOF OF THE

MOSQUE Elevated view of
the ruined
musalla ,
showing remain
of stone pillars
that once
supported doms

Eastern wall of the ruined musalla,with mark fallen doms