Who commissioned the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque in 1664?
Shaista Khan, the Subahdar or governor of Mughal Bengal, commissioned the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque in 1664. A Persian inscription over a doorway confirms his role in founding this structure.
Questions about Chawk Mosque, Dhaka
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When was the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque built and what makes it unique?
The Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque rose from the earth in 1664 as the earliest known mosque built on a high vaulted platform in the history of Muslim architecture in Bengal. This raised platform supports the entire prayer chamber above ground level without matching any other mosque in Bengal history from that year.
Where is the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque located today?
The Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque stands within the Chowk Bazaar area of old Dhaka, Bangladesh. It remains a landmark in this specific location despite centuries of renovations and extensions altering its original form.
Why does the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque have square-shaped rooms?
Square-shaped rooms serve dual purposes as living quarters and study areas for teachers and students at the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque. These vaulted rooms with bookshelves line the walls underneath the elevated platform to provide residential accommodation alongside religious functions.
How did the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque influence later architectural styles in Bengal?
Architectural design choices reflect influences from Tughlaq structures in Delhi such as the Khirki Masjid or Kalan Mosque which served as key stylistic models. The elevated platform design shares similarities with these northern Indian precedents and shaped the visual identity of mosques built in Dhaka and Murshidabad.