Discovering Jhenaidah Part- 3

Barabazar: Thorp of Mosques

Barabazar, an archaeological site, is located 11 kilometres to the south of Kaliganj upazila in Jhenaidah district. It has a rich history, including that of Bara Awliya (Twelve Sages), Khan Jahan Ali, Gazi Kalu Champabati, Gangaridi, as well as many famous mosques of the Sultanate period.
There is a great tale behind the naming of Barabazar. A popular saying goes that 12 mosques were built at Barabazar area in the name of the Bara Awliya. Shah Sikander guided the 12 sages there. Thus, the area got its name ‘Barabazar’. According to Banglapedia, “the name of the old township is believed to have originated from certain ‘bara’ or twelve Muslim saints who settled there in some remote and unspecified time. But it is likely that its original name was ‘Boro Bazar’, or a large market place, which might have flourished there once upon a time.” However, at present, the name ‘Moshjider Polli’, or ‘The Thorp (village) of Mosques’, is the most popular among local residents.
The Department of Archaeology (DoA) of Khulna has been digging the spot since 1993. Some 15 archeological sites, covering a total area of 3km with several mosques, have been discovered at the western side of the railway line in Barabazar. The place has been named as ‘Muhammadabad City’ by DoA. Notable sites there include Saatgachia Mosque, Ghoper Mound Cemetery, Namazgah Cemetery, Golakata Mosque, Jorbangla Mosque, Manohar Mosque, Gorar Mosque, Pir Pukur Mosque, Shukur Mallick Mosque, Nungola Mosque, Khorer Dighi Cemetery, Pathager Mosque and Badedihi Cemetery.
According to DoA, the area was built up in the 15th century. That was confirmed when a stone plaque was found in 1993 while excavating Jorbangla mosque. The inscription says ‘Shah Sultan Mahmood Ibn Pusain 800 Hijri’. This implies that the monuments are at least 700 years old.
These old glories of the Sultanate period in Jhenaidah remain unknown among tourists because of inadequate publicity and lack of accommodation nearby. As a result, the new generation is not getting the chance to know about these historical treasures. It is a long desire of the local people that the authorities take proper steps to beautify and establish facilities around the mosques, so that tourists from home and abroad can enjoy the historical sites. Local people, as well as the government, will also benefit financially from tourism. The archaeological sites enriched with structures of great antiquity will open up an unbounded scope for people to acquire knowledge about the history and tradition of the region.

Here are brief descriptions of some of the architectural treasures:

Gorar Mosque

This unique mosque, with its entrance on the eastern side, was built in the 15th century. The four-domed mosque is adorned with carved patterns. The mosque is located at Belat in Daulatpur of Barabazar. The main building of this mosque has eight columns on its four sides and a balcony attached to two columns. The walls are decorated with different designs, like terracotta mehra, chain, floral and tree patterns. There is a large pond on the eastern side. The soil and water of the historical mosque are very sacred among the locals. People from long distances gather at the mosque every Friday to collect soil and water, as the panacea. Some devoted people touch the wall of the mosque, with the profound faith of curing their incurable diseases.

Jorbangla Mosque

This interesting mosque is located on the left side of the Taherpur road in Barabazar. According to a myth, there were twin huts near the mosque. For that reason, the mosque may have been named as Jorbangla. It is believed  that this single-domed mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Gias Uddin Mahmud Shah. The small mosque is beautifully adorned with terracotta floral art on the walls. There is an entrance with three pointed arches on the east side. The mosque has now been largely renovated.

Nungola Mosque

This square shaped mosque is located at Hasilbag of Barabazar. The mosque has three semi-circular mehrabs and a dome. There are a variety of geometric designs, with small squares inside. There is also a rotated roof at the outer wall of the mosque.

Golakata Mosque
This square-shaped mosque is located at the northern side of the street at Taherpur of Barabazar. It is a beautiful and magnificent architectural example from the Sultanate period. There are three semi-circle shapes on the round mound. There is also an ancient dighi (pond) adjacent to the mosque.

Saatgachia Mosque

It is a 36-domed mosque, located at Saatgachia of Barabazar. This is another prominent mosque which has different attractive designs. This mosque shows the historical importance of the site.

Shukur Mallick Mosque

It is a square-shaped and one-domed mosque, which resembles the Binot Bibi Mosque in Dhaka. The incredible design attracts many visitors.

 

 

Discovering Jhenaidah Part- 3

Barabazar: Thorp of Mosques

Barabazar, an archaeological site, is located 11 kilometres to the south of Kaliganj upazila in Jhenaidah district. It has a rich history, including that of Bara Awliya (Twelve Sages), Khan Jahan Ali, Gazi Kalu Champabati, Gangaridi, as well as many famous mosques of the Sultanate period. There is a great tale behind the naming of Barabazar. A popular saying goes that 12 mosques were built at Barabazar area in the name of the Bara Awliya. Shah Sikander guided the 12 sages there. Thus, the area got its name Barabazar. According to Banglapedia, the name of the old township is believed to have originated from certain bara or twelve Muslim saints who settled there in some remote and unspecified time. But it is likely that its original name was Boro Bazar, or a large market place, which might have flourished there once upon a time. However, at present, the name Moshjider Polli, or The Thorp (village) of Mosques, is the most popular among local residents. The Department of Archaeology (DoA) of Khulna has been digging the spot since 1993. Some 15 archeological sites, covering a total area of 3km with several mosques, have been discovered at the western side of the railway line in Barabazar. The place has been named as Muhammadabad City by DoA. Notable sites there include Saatgachia Mosque, Ghoper Mound Cemetery, Namazgah Cemetery, Golakata Mosque, Jorbangla Mosque, Manohar Mosque, Gorar Mosque, Pir Pukur Mosque, Shukur Mallick Mosque, Nungola Mosque, Khorer Dighi Cemetery, Pathager Mosque and Badedihi Cemetery. According to DoA, the area was built up in the 15th century. That was confirmed when a stone plaque was found in 1993 while excavating Jorbangla mosque. The inscription says Shah Sultan Mahmood Ibn Pusain 800 Hijri. This implies that the monuments are at least 700 years old. These old glories of the Sultanate period in Jhenaidah remain unknown among tourists because of inadequate publicity and lack of accommodation nearby. As a result, the new generation is not getting the chance to know about these historical treasures. It is a long desire of the local people that the authorities take proper steps to beautify and establish facilities around the mosques, so that tourists from home and abroad can enjoy the historical sites. Local people, as well as the government, will also benefit financially from tourism. The archaeological sites enriched with structures of great antiquity will open up an unbounded scope for people to acquire knowledge about the history and tradition of the region. Here are brief descriptions of some of the architectural treasures: Gorar Mosque This unique mosque, with its entrance on the eastern side, was built in the 15th century. The four-domed mosque is adorned with carved patterns. The mosque is located at Belat in Daulatpur of Barabazar. The main building of this mosque has eight columns on its four sides and a balcony attached to two columns. The walls are decorated with different designs, like terracotta mehra, chain, floral and tree patterns. There is a large pond on the eastern side. The soil and water of the historical mosque are very sacred among the locals. People from long distances gather at the mosque every Friday to collect soil and water, as the panacea. Some devoted people touch the wall of the mosque, with the profound faith of curing their incurable diseases. Jorbangla Mosque This interesting mosque is located on the left side of the Taherpur road in Barabazar. According to a myth, there were twin huts near the mosque. For that reason, the mosque may have been named as Jorbangla. It is believed that this single-domed mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Gias Uddin Mahmud Shah. The small mosque is beautifully adorned with terracotta floral art on the walls. There is an entrance with three pointed arches on the east side. The mosque has now been largely renovated. Nungola Mosque This square shaped mosque is located at Hasilbag of Barabazar. The mosque has three semi-circular mehrabs and a dome. There are a variety of geometric designs, with small squares inside. There is also a rotated roof at the outer wall of the mosque. Golakata Mosque This square-shaped mosque is located at the northern side of the street at Taherpur of Barabazar. It is a beautiful and magnificent architectural example from the Sultanate period. There are three semi-circle shapes on the round mound. There is also an ancient dighi (pond) adjacent to the mosque. Saatgachia Mosque It is a 36-domed mosque, located at Saatgachia of Barabazar. This is another prominent mosque which has different attractive designs. This mosque shows the historical importance of the site. Shukur Mallick Mosque It is a square-shaped and one-domed mosque, which resembles the Binot Bibi Mosque in Dhaka. The incredible design attracts many visitors.