BENGAL PROVINCIAL

ARCHITECTURE

PROVINCIAL ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Islamic reign in Bengal region with the invasion and victory of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji
at Nadia in 1204 A.D., A number of rulers succeeded him, who mainly concentrated over the
region of Lakhnauti, Pandua, Satgaon, and Sonarqaon, At present Mosques, tombs and
gateways belonging to Islamic period are found in these regions.
Important structures are:
Adina Mosque
Dakhil Darwaja
Firoz Minar
Lottan Mosque
Quadam Rasul Mosque
Qutub shahi Mosque
Tantipara Mosque
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INFLUENCE OF BENGAL VERNACULAR ARCH.

Terracotta ornamentation
Basalt stone
Brick work
Motifs, Arabesques
Squinched dome
Pointed barrel vault
Domes on Pendantives
Curved roof line

ADINA MOSQUE
Mosque built and completed by Sikandar Shah
(c.1358-1390 AD) in 1369 AD is the most
remarkable existing example of Muslim
architecture of that period.
It is a Quadrangular building, consisting of
cloisters which surrounded a central area of the
same form.
It extends 507 feet from north to south and
285 feet from east to west.
On the east side entrance is made with an
insignificant door, the cloisters are 38 feet wide and
have 3 aisles.
The total number of domes covering the cloisters
was 306 in all. tomb.
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ADINA MOSQUE
The upper chamber (Badshah-Ka-Takht) which is
situated to the north of the Central hall, was
apparently intended to provide separate
accommodation for the King and his family during
services.
The prayer niches on this area in the west wall
are embellished with beautiful ornamental Tughra
inscriptions.
To the northern half of the back wall of the
mosque and west of the Badshah-Ka-Takht lies a
roofless room, 42 feet square, known as Sikandar
Shah's tomb.

QADAM RASHUL MOSQUE

It is inaccurate to call this building a mosque, in
actuality is a building to contain the prophet's foot
prints in stone said to have been brought by a saint
from Arabia.
The building has a central square room with a
wide verandah.
The eastern facade is highly decorated.
The central room is covered by a single dome,
crowned with a lotus finial.
There is no mihrab inside.
An inscription over the front door records its
erection by Sultan Nusrat Shah son of Husain Shah
in AD 1531.

ADINA MOSQUE

LOTTAN MOSQUE
This is a single domed building with a square chamber and
a corridor in front.
There are three arched entrances on the east and sides.
It was once covered with a enameled brick work of four
colors, green, yellow, blue and white lending a colorful
appearance.