Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque
Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque stands near Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Khan Mohammad Mridha built this structure in Atish Khan Mahalla during the year 1706 CE. Qadi Ibadullah issued the instruction for its creation while Deputy Governor Farrukhsiyar ruled the region. An inscription found on the building confirms the construction occurred between 1704 and 1705 AD under these specific leaders. A man named Khan Muhammad Mirza may have served as the architect who designed the initial layout. Frederick William Alexander de Fabeck painted a view of the mosque in 1863 that captures its early state. Johnston and Hoffman took a photograph of the site in 1885 showing its condition before modern changes.
The mosque rises above its surroundings because it sits on a tahkhana or underground room platform. This platform measures exactly 16 feet and 6 inches above the ground level. The roof of the tahkhana forms the base upon which the main prayer hall rests. Visitors access the prayer hall from the east side by climbing twenty-five steps. The rectangular prayer hall measures 48 feet by 24 feet and holds three domes. The central dome is larger than the two smaller side domes. These smaller domes use intermediary pendentives to achieve their reduced size. Short and slender minarets rise just above the parapet and end with ribbed copulas. The facade features paneling and ornamental merlons along the top edge.
A madrasa was built north-west of the main mosque building to serve as a religious school. Mawlana Asadullah served as the founding teacher until his death in 1709. He taught fiqh, philosophy, and logic using Arabic and Persian languages for his pupils. Nawabs of Bengal provided funding for this educational annex. A hujra or arcaded hall exists within the northern annex for travelers and visitors. Various seasonal flowers grow in the garden located on the eastern portion of the compound. A well sits in the northern part of the garden but now supplies no water for ablution rituals. An old palm tree stands tall on the southern side of the garden as a symbol of ancient times. A gardener appointed by the Department of Archaeology maintains the current state of these grounds.
The Archaeological Survey of India listed Mirza's Masjid as a historic monument in 1913. By that time the structure had undergone alterations and appropriations requiring demolition to restore its original form. The earliest photograph available shows a ruined structure at the turn of the nineteenth century before early restoration attempts began. Both the DOA and mosque committee have undertaken periodic repairs over the decades. Some of these repair efforts ignored the architectural and historic importance of the building. New outlets were provided to drain rainwater from the upper terrace to compensate for damaged drains. Water and sanitation services improved to stop further deterioration of the site. Encroachments constricted the boundaries of the compound, drawing serious attention during an architectural conservation workshop in 1989. This workshop was sponsored by the AKTC and UNDP in Dhaka.
Conservation of invaluable heritage sites in the 400-year-old city of Dhaka has always been ignored. Destruction of heritage sites gained momentum after independence following moderate scale destruction during the Pakistan period. Heritage properties suffered destruction on an appalling extent during military rule. Conservationist architects note that friezes and other ornamental features are replaced with dissimilar and odd-looking features. Details of the ornamental works, their sizes and proportions are lost in the intervention. The Bangladesh National Building Code requires government measures to protect heritage sites. The Metropolitan Building Rules of 2006 revised in 2008 mandate a standing committee for protection. The Antiquities Act of 1968 also requires government action to preserve these locations. Mutawalli of the mosque states there is lack of sincerity and transparency in government intervention despite ownership claims.
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Common questions
Who built the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque and when was it constructed?
Khan Mohammad Mridha built the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque in 1706 CE. An inscription confirms construction occurred between 1704 and 1705 AD under Deputy Governor Farrukhsiyar.
Where is the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque located in Dhaka?
The Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque stands near Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It sits on a tahkhana or underground room platform that measures exactly 16 feet and 6 inches above ground level.
What architectural features distinguish the prayer hall of the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque?
The rectangular prayer hall of the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque measures 48 feet by 24 feet and holds three domes. The central dome is larger than the two smaller side domes which use intermediary pendentives to achieve their reduced size.
When did the Archaeological Survey of India list the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque as a historic monument?
The Archaeological Survey of India listed the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque as a historic monument in 1913. Encroachments constricted the boundaries of the compound drawing serious attention during an architectural conservation workshop in 1989.
Who served as the founding teacher of the madrasa attached to the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque?
Mawlana Asadullah served as the founding teacher of the madrasa north-west of the main mosque building until his death in 1709. He taught fiqh philosophy and logic using Arabic and Persian languages for his pupils.