The Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque stands as a singular anomaly in the history of Mughal architecture, distinguished by a minaret painted in the colors of a rainbow. This vibrant feature, unique to the structure, transforms the solemnity of a place of worship into a visual spectacle that defies the typical monochromatic palette of Islamic religious buildings in the region. The mosque was constructed in 1664 by Shaista Khan, the Subahdar of Mughal Bengal, who governed the province with an iron fist and a keen eye for monumental architecture. Located in the bustling Chowk Bazaar area of old Dhaka, the building was originally designed as a three-domed prayer chamber sitting atop a raised platform, a design choice that set it apart from the flat-ground mosques common to the era. Over the centuries, the original form has been eroded by multiple renovations and extensions, yet the rainbow minaret remains a testament to the bold aesthetic choices of its creator.
A Platform of Stone
Rising above the street level, the mosque is built upon a high vaulted platform that serves as both a foundation and a functional space for the community. This architectural decision marks the Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque as the earliest dated mosque in the history of Muslim architecture in Bengal to be constructed on such a raised base. The platform houses square-shaped rooms that were originally intended for the Imam and students of the madrasa, creating a residential madrasa mosque that combined worship with education. The promenade around the three-domed prayer chamber likely served as an open-air classroom, while vaulted rooms underneath the platform featured bookshelves built into the walls, providing residential accommodation for teachers and scholars. This integration of living and learning spaces within the mosque structure was a pioneering concept that influenced the design of subsequent mosques in Dhaka and Murshidabad.The Poet Governor
Shaista Khan, the man who commissioned the mosque, was not merely a military governor but a poet who wrote under the nom de plume Talib. He is believed to have composed the versified Persian inscription that dates the construction to 1664 CE, a detail that adds a layer of personal intimacy to the grand architectural project. The inscription, carved over a doorway, attributes the project to the Subahdar and serves as a historical record of the mosque's origins. The architectural design of the mosque was perhaps influenced by Tughlaq architecture, specifically structures like the Khirki Masjid or Kalan Mosque of Delhi, which were known for their unique spatial arrangements. This influence is evident in the mosque's layout, which includes a three-domed prayer chamber that was originally a copy of another mosque built by Shaista Khan at the Mitford Hospital compound near the Buriganga River.