Architecture of Bengal Mughal and Sultanate Period

Architecture of Bengal

1. Architecture of Bengal ARCH 241 SHAILA SHARMIN Assistant Professor, DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, CHITTAGONG UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY .

2. Ancient Period Mauryan Empire (ca. 320-180 B.C.) Gupta Empire (A.D. ca. 319-ca. 540) Pala Dynasty (A.D. 750-1150) Muslim conquest in 1204 The Senas (1097-1223 AD) EARLY HISTORY, 1000 B.C.-A.D. 1202 ISLAMIZATION OF BENGAL, 1202-1757 Sultanate 1204-1611  Mughals (1612-1765 in Bengal) EUROPEAN COLONIZATION, 1757(65)-1857 British East India Company (1765-1857) Pre-historic Medieval Period Colonial Period The British Raj (1857-1947) Post Colonial Period Pakistan (1947- 1971) Bangladesh (1971- today) [ Shashanka 7 th C.]

3. Islamic architecture shares many forms and structural concerns with Byzantine, Medieval, and Renaissance architecture. The most common types of Islamic public buildings Mosques Mausoleums Triumphle arch, Minarate Building Type Major: Mosque Secondary: Tomb, Katra , Madrasa, Palaces, Fort etc Tertiary: Triumphle arch, Minarate , Bridges etc

4. Mosque Type

5. Components of Mosque

6. Mosque Type

7. ISLAMIZATION OF BENGAL (1202-1757) Sultanate (1204-1611) Governance (1204 -1342) Ilyas Shahi dynasty (1342-1412) ; 70 years. House of Raja Ganesha (1412-1435) ; 23 years. Restored Ilyas Shahi dynasty (1435-1487) ; 52 years. Habshi Rule (1487-1493) ; 6 years. Hussain Shahi dynasty ( 1493- 1538) ; 26 years. Governance under Suri Rule (1539 -1553) ;14 years. Muhammad Shah dynasty (1554 -1564) ;10 years. Afgan / Karrani dynasty ( 1564 -1576) ; 13 years. Mughal (1612-1765 in Bengal)

8. SULTANATE of Bengal (1204-1611 A.D.)

9. The history of the settlement in Bengal region is probably more than 3000 years old. This region was ruled by the Buddhist and Hindu rulers till 11th century B.C. Muslims reached Bengal and their rule started by Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khalji in around 1204 AD , brought about a change not only in the political sphere, but also in the social and cultural arena. Within a short period of time Muslims became rulers of the whole of Bengal . For the next 100 years, Bengal was a province of the Delhi Imperial and the governors of Bengal were appointed by the Delhi rulers. The rivers and marsh land made this region invincible to the foreign invaders. The local governors took the opportunity and declared them as an independent ruler . Most of the time this governors ruled freely without having any direct controls from their sultans. Political Background of Bengal in Medieval Period

10. Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah declared independence (1338) for only the eastern part of Bengal. After few years in 1342 Ilyas Shah succeeded in unifying the whole of Bengal and founded an independent kingdom. His successors preserved the unity and the independence of Bengal for more than 185 years. Ilias Shah was the first ruler of the Ilias Shahi family and he was the first independent ruler without the control from Delhi Sultanate. More than 200 years of Sultanate period (1342-1576 A.D.) was comparatively stable and free from outsider’s invasion . Due to this stability , some of the rulers successfully contributed their effort and resources to the mosque construction and development of the unique architectural style of Bengal. Sultanate period Beginning of

11. Governance (1204 -1342) Bokhtiyar Khilji

12. The independent sultanate was the most important period in the history of Muslim architecture in Bengal. A period of great activity . All made possible by the direct patronage of the Sultans of Bengal through their understanding of local culture. Isolation of Bengal from the rest of India led the Muslims in Bengal to be more closer to the indigenous culture and literature . Sultanate period Attributions of

13. The sultanate period was a glorious time for the development of “Bengal Style” in mosque architecture. The Bengal style was unique among the other styles practiced in Indian subcontinent and outside of India in other Muslim countries during 12th-15th century in terms of structural innovation addressing contextual issues use of unique building materials climatic considerations Those mosques and design philosophy lasted for hundreds of years in our continent and considered as the inspirational works for the rulers and builders of later phases, like: Mughal and colonial regime. Sultanate period Attributions of

14. Apart from the rulers, there were some saint warriors who contributed in the spread of Islam and construction of some mosques. Most of them came from Persian-Turkish region and Syria. They brought the construction technique and design approach with them which actually founded the design ideology of “Bengal Style” in later phases. Among them Khan-e- Jahan was most famous for his contribution in the development and practice of Bengal style in his works. He had good relationship with both the ruler and the general mass. Most notable Khan-E- Jahan work is Sixty Dome Mosque at Bagerhat , Khulna.

15. Mosques dominate the religious categories of buildings. They are of two kinds Jami Mosques Larger dimensions Addition of the royal gallery Generally rectangular in plan Multi-domed Wide vaulted-nave runs through the middle. adina mosque at Pandua , chhota sona mosque (1493-1519) and bara sona mosque (1526) at Gaur and kushumba mosque (1558) in Rajshahi etc. The Waqtiya mosques _ also called Panjegan Mosques. Small in design Local mosques Centres of social meetings primary religious schools . Single domed type KHANIA DIGHI and LATTAN MOSQUEs (late 15th c) at Gaur- Lakhnauti ; BIBI BEGNI MOSQUEs (mid 15th c) at Bagerhat ; GOALDI MOSQUE (late 15th/early16thc) at Sonargaon , SURA MOSQUE (late 15th/early 16th c) in Dinajpur . Bengali style

16. Before the conquest of this eastern region of India by the Muslims in 1204 the entire territory (Bengal) is said to have been divided into 5 districts_ Radha,Bagdi,Banga,Barendra,Mithila During most of the Muslim rule in Bengal till the beginning of the Mughal rule , Gaur was the capital of the Muslim Kingdom . About 1330 in the time of Delhi Emperor Tughlag , Bengal was divided into 3 sub-provinces _ Lakhnawti (Gaur) became the capital of the northern division, Sonargaon of the western Satgaon of the south western . Geographical background

17. Mosque architecture in Bengal region having the spatial concept and façade articulation of Persian and Byzantine architecture . Before the introduction of Islam, the Bengal region was ruled be the Buddhist and Hindu kings. They built lots of temples and other structures. Muslim rulers found long practiced building construction technique by the local masons and they were also introduced by the use of brick and terracotta work . Chhota sona mosque (1493-1519) and Bara sona mosque (1526) Important features of the Sultanate period

18. Unfortunately in a mosque, the interior space had to be free of obstruction and it requires a large pavilion like space for prayer in multiple rows. That is why the Muslim builders faced a great challenge while working with the local masons. First they had to choose brick instead of stone as the main building material. But main structural elements like base and column were entirely made of stones though it was rare in the Bengal region Chhota sona mosque (1493-1519) and Bara sona mosque (1526) Important features of the Sultanate period

19. Atiya Masjid in Tangail Kushumba Masjid in Tangail Important features of the Sultanate period The size of the dome was depended on the width of the arches. This system is called the pendentive system and it was imported from Persian and Byzantine construction technique. The introduction of arch and dome was evolved from structural solution rather than Islamic symbolism and early mosques in Bengal region had direct influence of the mosque architecture practiced in Delhi that time.

20. Sura Mosque in Dinajpur Bagha Masjid in Rajshahi Important features of the Sultanate period Structures of this period contains_ Existence of interior column Multi-dome roof Arches for structural load distribution Use of ‘ squinch ’ to distribute the load of domes. Stone slab or beam had a problem while taking load in large span. Therefore, the entrance and hallways were made of brick arches and the arches were topped by dome on them.

21. Sura Mosque in Dinajpur Bagha Masjid in Rajshahi Important features of the Sultanate period Structures of this period contains_ Regional form & the structural system, Richness of surface decoration Use of traditional brick and terracotta, Occasional stone carving and glazed tiles work, Use of curvilinear cornice and The Bangla roof. The corners are strengthened by the erection of towers

22. The mosque architecture of Bengal is based fundamentally upon the building tradition of western and central Asia Newly introduced architectural features & construction system Domes, arches, minarets, mihrabs , and the extrovert nature of the mosques Clearly distinguish mosque architecture from temple architecture But Islamic architecture of Bengal was also influenced by prevailing Hindu/ Buddhist styles. Distinctive Provincial Styles

23. The Outcome from Sultani and Mughal periods : Styles The Mamluk (slave-Turk) Style (1227-1285 AD) The Early Illyas Shahi Style (1342-1414 AD) The Eklakhi Style (1414-1442 AD) (1442-1575 AD) The Later Illyas Shahi Style The Khan Jahan Style The Hussain Shahi style

24. bricks but stone cladding interior column, multi-dome roof, arches , ‘ squinch ’ to distribute the load of domes. very little interior space inside. Thick walls like temples enormous size represents the political power influence of Arab/ Persian in spatial organization central courtyard surrounded by a pillared hall brick, but lower part were covered by stones domes supported by pendentives and stone columns central nave covered by huge vaults entirely built on bricks curved cornice (from hut) & corner minarets with circular bands (from bamboo) Terracotta & multiple lines of moldings single dome prototype structure considering construction with minimalist design attitude. Style’ which lasted for the next 200 years mixed structural: Brick & stone stone at the base and beneath the arches wall was thinner ChowchalaVault use of terra-cotta additional approach verandah( chamkatti ) prototype composed of pendentive and dome. ( shaitgumbaz ) Minarets circular ; previous had octagonal plan ( shaitgumbaz ) Bengal Style in Mosque construction by following the design elements and fenestration of Khan-e- Jahan style. Distinctive Provincial Styles

25. Influences & Contributions of Islamic Architecture of Bengal: Mainly the region ruled by SULTANAT & MUGHAL Introduce new building type ( MOSQUE etc ) in this region Foreign influence blend with local tradition & style and emerge NEW STYLES The developed architecture has CONTEXTUAL SENSITIVITY & better SURVIVAL QUALITY

26. Examples of the Sultanate period Adina Masjid Choto Sona Masjid Bara Sona Masjid Shat Gambuj Masjid Khirki Masjid Dakhil Darwaja

27. Adina Mosque At Hazrat Pandua ,India

28. Adina Masjid | Triple-aisled south cloister viewed from southeastern corner of mosque

29. Adina Mosque Built by Sikander Shah , the second sultan of the newly independent kingdom in 1370. Located twenty kilometers North of the town of Malda and along a major road leading to north Bengal, the sultan probably built it as a visual proclamation of his victory over the Delhi ruler, Firuz Shah Tughluq . The mosque is mostly in ruins today following the damages sustained during the earthquakes in the 19th and early 20th centuries. N ot the true example of ‘Bengal Style’ due its direct influence of western world. This module of spatial arrangement was commonly seen in the Arabian and Persian region. Even it had great similarity in plan with Qwat - ul -Islam mosque at Delhi, which was founded by Qutub Uddin Aibek almost hundred years earlier.Both of the mosques had a central courtyard surrounded by a pillared hall .

30. Adina Mosque This mosque clearly represented the power and dedication of the builder through its scale, structural innovation and the majestic appearance . Both the innovations and the failures in Adina mosque were the inspiration for the mosque builders of later phases. This huge Mosque is considered as a prominent example of Early Ilias Shahi style This great mosque is the only example of courtyard type mosque and was never repeated anywhere else in Bengal during the early Islamic period. It is an excellent example of sultanate period architecture and was at the time one of the largest mosque to be built on the subcontinent, a reflection of the power and wealth of the sultan.

31. It is a rectangular with an open central courtyard . Externally it measures 524' x 322' (154.3 x 87m) with the longer side running north-south. The courtyard measures 426'-6"x147'-7"( 130 x 45m). In the courtyard there was a well for ablution framed with brick masonry _it is the only example of Bengal of such courtyard in addition of a large water tank nearby. In plan the Adina mosque resembles a traditional early Islamic Congregational or Friday mosque.

32. The prayer hall is located to the west. It is divided into 2 symmetrical wings by a central nave (78'x 34' and 64' high) originally covered by a pointed barrel vault . The prayer hall is five aisles deep while the north, south and east cloisters around the courtyard consist of triple aisles . In total, these aisles had 260 pillars and 387 domed bays . Each bay has one pointed arch opening was probably screened by perforated bricks. Cloister in north , east and south sides measure internally 15.50m deep. These are mostly ruins and only the bases of the pillars and a portion of outside walls are standing today.

33. The central mihrab is located at the end of the central nave with a smaller additional mihrab . A series of secondary mihrabs runs along the whole western wall. In total, the 39 mihrabs The pillared hallway was covered by the domes supported by the pendentives and columns. Though the main building material was brick, but lower part of the walls were covered by stones.

34. The left and right wing of qibla riwaq measures internally 70.2m by 19.40 m each. Corresponding to each aisle there is a mihrab niche in the qibla wall. The qibla wall are made of bricks completely faced with stones on the outer surface, but only up to the mihrab niche in the inner surface. Only 36 free standing pillars are in the right wing are standing and the remaining are broken. Each of the wings are covered by 90 small hemispherical domes , but at present only 45 in the right wing exists while the others have fallen down.

35. Mihrab niche has a multifoil cusped arch. On the right-hand side of central mihrab niche is a raised minbar or podium from which the imam preached to the people. It is built out of black basalt and is reached by a flight of nine steps and covered by a small dome. The two longer side of the central nave has massive brick piers to support the roof which was covered by a tunnel vault . The vault has fallen down long ago but the outline of the vaulted roof is distinctly marked against the top of the back or qibla wall

36. Mirhab (prayer niche) at Adina Mosque, Pandua

37. Absence of any grand monumental entrance gateway.. 3 separate entrances for the Imam, the royal members and for the normal worshipers. The main entrance of the mosque consists of three arches that open on the southeastern corner. Today it can only be entered from the east through a modest arched opening . Another three small entrances are in the northwestern wall, two of which lead to the Badshah-ka-takht , a private worship area for the kings and the ladies.

38. The Badshah-ka-takht is a square structure with an L-shaped ramp on its north On its east are two doors that lead to the raised takht (throne) inside. One of the doors was originally carved for a Hindu temple. The square structure was divided into nine bays with nine domes supported in stone columns. This chamber is now believed to house the tomb of Sikander Shah. Since this chamber was the sole entrance to the takht , it is highly unlikely that it was meant as a burial chamber. The L-shaped ramp also negates the notion of this as a burial chamber since it resembles a royal entrance to a fortress.

39. A raised gallery for the king and his followers is placed at the upper level in the northern wing of the qibla - riwaq (arcade), occupying an area of five aisles and three bays . This gallery has three mihrab niches in the qibla wall and is entered from the qibla side by two opening through an adjacent structure . 18 massive octagonal stone pillars support the heavy weight of the stone floor of the gallery. Above the gallery floor level these pillars are transformed into round fluted columns. Along with three adjacent aisles in the south and oneaisles in the neast of these gallery , this is the only portion of the mosque that still retains its original domed roof

40. Most of the upper part of the building - the arches and the domes - is of brick. At the corners of its exterior walls are circular stone-faced , turrets. The lower eleven feet of the columns are faced with stone while the upper portions are articulated with beautifully molded brick. The exterior of the west wall is the best-preserved section of the mosque and is faced with smooth blue-grey basalt up to a height of 11'. Much of the finely worked basalt was taken from the earlier Hindu building at Lakhnauti or other areas nearby. and other ornamentations are rigorously Islamic in their general conception but Hindu in almost all the details: small scalloped columns and plinths in the shape of lotus flowers, corbels, trilobate arches each with its sharp end cuspidated with a vase of flowers, volutes representing leaves, rhomboid lozenges and friezes of lotus petals. Along with the Hindu motifs, the interior of the mihrab niche is divided into panels containing the Islamic motif of the 'hanging lamp' commonly used in Bengal and is thought to be the visual representation of Surah Al- Nur (Chapter of Light in the Quran).

41. The prayer hall is a series of powerful pillars with square plinths. The columns supporting the hall of the Badshah-ka-takht are of more normal proportions, with graceful tapered shafts and capitals in the shape of open lotus flowers, which are derived from Hindu structures.

42. Interior of Adina Mosque, Pandua

43. Adina Mosque_ The mosque is decorated with magnificent complex carvings, calligraphic inscriptions and non-calligraphic surface ornamentation . The complex designs included geometrical patterns, vegetation motifs, rosettes and abstract arabesque designs . black basalt carved ' mihrabs ' or prayer niches.

44. Adina Mosque-Carvings on the Stone structure Flower motif

45. Choto Shona Mosque 

46. Choto Shona Mosque   One of the most graceful monument of the Sultanate period . The mosque was built during the reign of  Sultan Hussain Shah , between 1493 and 1519 . Choto sona mosque is the best representation of stone cutter’s art of the husain shahi period. Described as a gem of Sultanate architecture. The mosque premise covers an area of 42 m from east to west by 43.5 m from north to south, was originally surrounded by an outer wall (now restored) with a gateway in the middle of the east side.

47. N The mosque premise covers an area of 42 m from east to west by 43.5 m from north to south, was originally surrounded by an outer wall (now restored) with a gateway in the middle of the east side.

48. Plan: This oblong building measures 82’ by 52’. This grand monument is 20 ft. high. The interior measures 71’9” by 40’6”. N

49. Plan: It is divided into 3 longitudinal aisles by two rows of stone pillars , four in each row . A wide central nave has cut the aisles into halves, each half showing six equal square units with a side of 3.5 m. The idea of a central nave with side aisles is an influence of Adina Mosque. The nave has three rectangular units , each measuring 3.5 by 4.5 m. The interior of the mosque has therefore a total of 15 units 5 bays. N

50. Plan: One interspace is reserved for the ladies gallery at the north western corner. The women’s gallery stood on the second storey , supported below on stone pillars. Entrance to this gallery was by a flight of steps from north. N

51. Doorways: 5 arched doorways on the eastern side. It is richly decorated , all the designs being curved on stone . North and south sides have 3 doorways each. N

52. Domes: Side wings are covered by hemispherical domes, 12 in all. The central nave is covered by 3 bengali chauchala domes . Interior of chauchala domes shows a decoration copied from bamboo frame-work, emphasizing the local characters. They are all carried on stone pillars N

53. Mihrabs : Corresponding to the 5 archways in the east wall there are 5 semi-circular mihrabs inside the west wall. The stones of most of these miharbs have disappeared. An extra small mihrab in the second storey for ladies. The central mihrab is projected. N

54. Towers : The four exterior angles of the building are strengthened with polygonal towers Pillars: The pillars were made of stone Cornices: Curvilinea r and have stone gutters to drain off the rain water from the roof.

55. Material Built of brick and stone All the four walls are covered externally and to some extent also internally with granite stone blocks. These stones have disappeared from the southern side of the west wall because of conservation works after the destruction by the earthquake of 1897.

56. Decoration: Stone carving , brick-setting, terracotta and glazed tiles were used in decorating the building, and of them the former played the dominant role.

57. The subject matters of the stone carving were chosen according to the demand of the spaces, like the borders of the panels with creepers and their interior with various forms of stylized patterns. The interior of the domes and vaults are decorated with terracottas , those of the vaults being copies of the bamboo frames of local huts.

58. All the frontal archways and those of the mihrabs are cusped. The spandrels of arches and the spaces above the frames are always dotted with rosettes , an attractive form of designs, but are all carved differently.

59. Bara Shona Mosque  or Great Golden Mosque at Gaur, India .

60. Bara Sona Mosque is the largest mosque in Gaur- Lakhnauti , the capital of Sultanate Bengal, and it marks the culmination of Sultanate architecture in Bengal. Was started by Alauddin Husain Shah and was completed in 1526 AD by his son Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah. Situated 12 km south from Malda in West Bengal, very close to the India-Bangladesh border. Baro Shona Masjid (The Great Golden Mosque) also known as Baroduari (12-gate mosque).Though the name means 12 doors, this monument actually has 11. Abid Ali explains it in a different way by saying that 'the name ' Baraduari ', ordinarily meaning 'an audience hall', was given to the mosque on account of the spacious courtyard in front of the mosque'. The Indo-Arabic style of architecture and the ornamental stone carvings make Baroduari a special attraction for tourists. Bara Sona Mosque  

61. The mosque is composed of 11 entrances, 2 buttresses,4 corner towers and a spacious courtyard which is almost 70m in diameter. The mosque is built of brick, faced in plain stone with no carvings . The mosque has 2 gateways , still surviving, to its east and north , making space for an open courtyard in front.

62. General view of entrance courtyard from the south, showing mosque and the two extant entrance gates

63. Detail of the east gateway

64. Detail of stonework on east gateway

65. N The mosque is a rectangular building and measures 50.4 m. by 22.8 m., and 12 m. in height N

66. N

67. Eastern (interior) wall of the ruined musalla , with marks of fallen domes

68. Elevated view of the ruined musalla , showing remains of stone pillars that once supported domes

69. View of the ruined musalla , looking to northwest

70. The prayer hall is divided into 3 longitudinal bays and 11 aisles. It is entered from the east through a 3.55 m wide fore room , which has 11 pointed arch entrances in the east and one opening in north and south side. The southern wall of prayer hall has 3 identical opening . The northern wall has one opening and two niche at the lower level and two openings at the upper level. Corresponding to each aisle was a mihrab niche in the qibla wall,which are placed directly opposite the entrance opening in the eastern wall. Hence the qibla wall had 11 mihrab niches once , but at present stands only a portion of the qibla wall with only 3 mihrab niches and the rest has fallen down. A trace of foundation of a minbar is observed in the right side of the central aisle. N

71. On the northwest corner of the mosque, there was once a royal gallery. A raised terrace outside the mosque on the north-west corner can still be seen, which was the entrance platform for the gallery. There are two openings in the northern side of the gallery in this raised entrance level , among them the eastern one is an entrance door and the other one is a window. The gallery was supported by 6 large pillars and 4 pilasters and was roofed over by 6 domes, covered 3 aisles and 2 bays. A remarkable feature of this gallery is the change of the roof level, which can be easily observed in the western part of the northern wall. N

72. The roof was strewn with 44 hemispherical domes , of which 11 covering a verandah to the front of the building remain. These domes were originally gilded . From the interior, these domes are arcaded, half in brick and half in stone. The mosque was known as Sona Masjid due to its earlier gilded wall surface and crowns of the turrets. Detail of dome

73. Presently the outer surface has no ornamentations ,but it can be presumed that all ornamentations were removed after the earthquake in 1897 or former times without any official documentation.

74. The Shait Gambuj Mosque, at Bagerhat

75. N

76. General characteristics of the Sultanate architecture in Bengal They were all built in bricks, The walls being very wide, ranging from 1.5m to 4m. Occasionally covered with stone facings or stone lintels running horizontally through the middle. The corners are strengthened by the erection of towers, mostly octagonal, but occasionally also round, rising only up to the level of the roof. From tower to tower the roof was bow-carved, a feature derived from the prevailing form of thatched huts. Above the roof rose inverted tumbler-shaped domes of the local type. chhota sona mosque (1493-1519) and bara sona mosque (1526)

77. General characteristics of the Sultanate architecture in Bengal The mihrabs in mosques, corresponding to the number of east doorways, had mostly engrailed arches in front.The entire element was so profusely ornamented and kept it within a rectangular frame that it became at once the focal point of the entire interior. The above characteristics of the buildings gave the Sultanate architecture in Bengal a distinct look, different from other medieval architecture in India or elsewhere, and have created a style which may appropriately be described as the independent Bengal style. chhota sona mosque (1493-1519) and bara sona mosque (1526)

78. bara sona mosque (1526) Inside, in large buildings slender but hard granite columns of indigenous origin were arranged in rows to carry two-centered pointed arches, giving the interior a sense of lightness and airy space.

79. The buildings were decorated both inside and outside with string mouldings and terracotta designs of local origin, the most important subject matter being creepers forming frames. These contained hanging motifs of different designs, originally derived from the chain and bell motif of temple decoration