Some Picture Of Goaldi Mosque In Sonargaon

History Of Goaldi Mosque Surviving Medieval Monument

History

Built in 1519, the graceful, single-domed Goaldi Mosque is the most impressive of the few extant monuments of the old capital city, and a good example of pre-Mughal architecture.

This mosque is one of the few remnants from the Sultanate period in Sonargaon, during the reign of Sultan Hussain Shah in 925 Hijri (1519AD). It was built by Mulla Hizabar Akbar Khan in the early 16th century, during the reign of Alauddin Husain Shah at a place called Goaldi - half a mile northeast of Panam village in Sonargaon. Sonargaon was the administrative center of medieval Muslim rulers of East Bengal. It became as the capital of Bengal during Isa Khan's ruling. The area falls under present-day Narayanganj District, Bangladesh. This mosque is more elegant and ornate in comparison to the earlier Sultanate mosques at Bagerhat.

Architectural features

The Goaldi mosque is a good example of the 'enclosed square type' mosque of Bengal that is distinguished by a cubical prayer chamber with corner towers and entrances on all sides except the qibla wall. A single dome caps the mosque; engaged ribbed turrets define the four corners; and the cornice is gently sloped. Circular corner towers are a deviation from the usual octagonal corner towers. This is the only example of circular corner towers in the Dhaka district. Accentuating the cornice is a row of small niches with floral motifs inside.

The east facade has three arched openings, embellished on either sides with rectangular panels of delicate relief work in the form of a niche with an ornamental hanging lamp motif. The north and south facades similarly display three arches, though only the center arch is open while the two side arches are blind.

The cubical prayer chamber measures 7.57 m and the walls are 2 m thick. The dome is carried on squinches that spring from the tops of stone pilasters, two on each wall. The qibla wall has three mihrabs. The use of black basalt for the central mihrab was a common practice during the sixteenth century. It is decorated with beautiful, intricate patterns composed of an ornamental hanging lamp motif. The two flanking mihrabs are decorated in similar fashion but instead of black basalt they are made of brick and fine terra cotta work. Lotus motifs are found carved in the spandrels and are closely related to the lotuses held by the Hindu god, Surya.

Present condition

The condition of mosque had deteriorated: with the exception of the qibla wall the entire mosque had collapsed, including the dome. Careful restoration was executed by the Department of Archaeology and Museums and this small graceful mosque is now restored to resemble its original design.

Architectural Description Of Goaldi Mosque

Goaldi Mosque one of the very few surviving medieval monuments in the city of sonargaon. About six km northwest of the little township of Panam, near Sonargaon in Narayanganj district, there are two such precariously surviving old single-domed mosques in the sequestered hamlet of Goaldi, virtually hidden behind thick bamboo brakes and clusters of mango and jackfruit tree groves.

Goaldi Mosque, Sonargaon

One of the mosques was built in 1116 AH / 1705 AD by a certain Abdul Hamid, during the reign of Mughal Emperor aurangzeb.

This elegant little pre-Mughal mosque - the oldest in the area - was in utter ruins when declared ‘protected’ by the Department of archaeology, but subsequently the monument was carefully restored in 1975 AD. Provided with three arched entrances to the edifice on the east and one each on the north and the south (now bricked up) the base of the dome rests on squinch arches at the four corners which support the dome on pendentives.

There are some ornamental black stone pillars inside the prayer hall for the support of the roof. Corresponding to the three arched doorways on the east there are three richly decorated mihrabs on the west wall, of which the central one is bigger and beautifully embellished with curved floral and arabesque relief on dark black stone, but the flanking side mihrabs are ornamented with delicate terracotta floral and geometric patterns. The central stone mihrab is framed within an arched panel with an expanded sunflower motif in the centre. Below that the spandrels of the multi-cusped arch of the mihrab are decorated within a rectangular frame. The engrailed arched recess is carried on stunted octagonal pillars faceted at stages. Four round-banded turrets at the outer corners rise up to the curvilinear cornice.

Look Below For Panam City

Panam City is located in a 10 minutes walking distance from the foundation gate. This once residence of the rich businessmen of Sonargaon has no boundary wall surrounding it. So you can dwell around the old buildings any time you like. 

Fishing on the lake:

You can do fishing by hook on the lake. Price is 1,500 tk. for a whole day. You have to bring your own hook.

Picnic spot hiring:

There is place inside the foundation premises to organize picnic. Contact the foundation for price details.

Shooting of film:

For shooting inside the foundation premises, the charge is 5,000 tk. for a whole day.

Visiting For Sonargaon Folk Arts Museum

Sonargaon – The once capital of Bengal, is a place where you can see the country’s heritage. The main place to visit here is the Folk Arts and Crafts museum located inside the Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation premises, the nearby old city from colonial period – Panam, and the beautiful Goaldi Mosque from the sultanate period.

Ticket Price:

Ticket price for entering the foundation premises is 20 tk. for locals and 100 tk. for the foreigners. You do not need any separate ticket to enter the museum.

Parking:

Adjacent to the foundation is the newly renovated car parking area. The area is big enough to park lots of cars and buses. The charge for parking is as follows (no time limit):

• Cars, SUVs, Vans (NOAH/HIACE): 50 tk.
• Coaster: 75 tk.


• Bus: 120 tk.
• Baby Taxi: 20 tk.
• Motor Byke: 15 tk.
• Bicycle: 5 tk.

Boat Riding at Lake:

There is arrangement of riding in boats on the lake inside the foundation premises. Ticket price for boat riding is 20 tk. per person for 30 minutes.

Fishing on the lake:

You can do fishing by hook on the lake. Price is 1,500 tk. for a whole day. You have to bring your own hook.

Picnic spot hiring:

There is place inside the foundation premises to organize picnic. Contact the foundation for price details.

Shooting of film:

For shooting inside the foundation premises, the charge is 5,000 tk. for a whole day.

Visiting Hours of Sonargaon Museum

• Friday – Tuesday: Foundation premises is open from 9.00 am – 5.00 pm, and the museum is open from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm. Museum galleries are closed at 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm at Friday only for the Jum’a prayer.
• Wednesday & Thursday: Closed.
• Government holidays: Closed.

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Historical Place Picture Of Narayanganj District

Important Picture Of Narayanganj District

 

Historical Importance Of Shitalakshya River

The Shitalakhya is a branch of the Brahmaputra which has changed its course at least twice in the Bangladesh region in the fairly recent past, indirectly affecting the flow of water in the Shitalakhya. In the 21st century, the main flow of the Brahmaputra waters is through the Jamuna channel. Earlier, after tracing a curve round the Garo Hills on the west, it took a sharp turn in the south-east direction near Dewanganj, and then passing by Jamalpur and Mymensingh, threw off the Shitalakhya branch and flowed through the eastern part of Dhaka district and fell into the Dhaleshwari. The Shitalakhya ran almost parallel to the Brahmaputra and after passing by Narayanganj joined the Dhaleswari. The course of the Brahmaputra through Dhaka district was deserted by the 18th century when it flowed further east and joined the Meghna near Bhairab. Towards the end of the 18th century the Jamuna channel increased its importance and around 1850 it became the main channel of the Brahmaputra.In Van den Brouck’s map the river is marked as Lecki, flowing west of Barrempooter (Brahmaputra). In Van den Brouck’s time (1660), it was large and swift flowing river. It was so till the early 19th century. There, however, are some reservations about the accuracy of Van den Brouck’s map.

Van den Brouck’s map of 1660

Historical importance

Sonargaon, a former capital of the region, stood on the banks of the Shitalakhhya. A fort was built by Isa Khan, a former ruler of the area, on its banks. It is believed that it was connected with Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka through an underground tunnel. Sonakanda Fort, also on the river, was built to counter Magh and Portuguese pirates. There are several historical mosques on its banks – Bandarshahi mosque (built in 1481 by Baba Saleh), Kadam Rasul mosque (containing the footprints of Hazrat Mohammad), Mariamer masjid (built by Shaista Khan) etc.

Economic importance

The Shitalakshya River was once an important center for the muslin industry. Even today, there are centres of artistic weaving on its banks. There also are a number of industrial units on its banks, including the Adamjee Jute Mills. Thermal power houses are located along the river at Palash (north of Ghorashal) and at Siddhirganj. Industrial affluent dumped into the river resulting in high levels of pollution is a cause for concern.

Portion of a sari woven on the banks of Shitalakshya River

There is a river port in Narayanganj. Numerous launches move out along the river to different parts of Bangladesh. The government has approved construction of a container terminal on the river Shitalakhya with foreign investment.

References

1. ^ Jump up to: Md Mahbub Murshed (2012). "Shitalakshya River". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
2. Jump up^ Majumdar, Dr. R.C., History of Ancient Bengal, First published 1971, Reprint 2005, pp. 3-4, Tulshi Prakashani, Kolkata, ISBN 81-89118-01-3.
3. Jump up^ Roy, Niharranjan, Bangalir Itihas, Adi Parba, (Bengali), first published 1972, reprint 2005, p. 86, Dey’s Publishing, 13 Bankim Chatterjee Street, Kolkata, ISBN 81-7079-270-3
4. Jump up^ Khokon, Leaquat Hossain, 64 Jela Bhraman, 2007, pp.14-15, Anindya Prokash, Dhaka, ISBN 984-8740-19-8
5. Jump up^ "Risk and Water Quality Assessment overview of River Sitalakhya in Bangladesh". Technical College, Bourgas. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
6. Jump up^ UNB, Dhaka. "Govt okays container terminal on Shitalakhya". The Independent. Retrieved 2007-11-17.

Shitalakhya River Near Narayanganj

Shitalakshya River (Bengali: শীতলক্ষ্যা নদী pronounced: Shitalokkha Nodi) (also known as Lakhya River) is a distributary of the Brahmaputra. In its initial stages it flows in a southwest direction and then east of the city of Narayanganj in central Bangladesh until it merges with the Dhaleswari near Kalagachhiya. A portion of its upper course is known as Banar River. The river is about 110 kilometres (68 mi) long and at it widest, near Narayanganj, it is 300 metres (980 ft) across. Its flow, measured at Demra, has reached 74 cubic metres per second (2,600 cu ft/s). It remains navigable year round. The river flows through Gazipur district forming its border with Narsingdi for some distance and then through Narayanganj District.

The river's maximum depth is 21 metres (70 ft) and average depth is 10 metres (33 ft).

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Group Photo Of Bangladesh Institute Of Marine Technology

 

Information Of Narayanganj District

Narayanganj District (dhaka division) area 687.76 sq km located in between 23°33' and 23°57' north latitudes and in between 90°26' and 90°45' east longitudes. It is bounded by narsingdi and gazipur districts on the north, munshiganj district on the south, brahmanbaria and comilla districts on the east,dhaka district on the west.

Population Total 2173948; male 1161971, female 1011977; Muslim 2057398, Hindu 115151, Buddhist 695, Christian 385 and others 319.

Water bodies Main rivers: shitalakshya, meghna, old brahmaputra, buriganga, balu, dhaleshwari.

Administration Narayanganj Sub-division was formed in 1882 and it was turned into' distict in 1984. Of the five upazilas of the district araihazar is the largest (183.35sq km) and bandar is the smallest (55.84 sq km). narayanganj city corporation was established on 5 May 2011.

Profile

Narayanganj subdivision was established in 1882 and was turned into a district in 1984. The district consists of five upazilas, 49 union parishads, 881 mouzas, 1374 villages, 2 municipalities, 12 wards and 115 mahallas.

Area	759.57 square kilometers.
Bounded by	Narsingdi and Gazipur districts on the north, Munshiganj districts on the south, Brahmanbaria and Comilla districts on the east, Dhaka districts on the west.

History	sonargaon of the district was an important historical place from the ancient time. It was the capital of Bengal during the reign of isa khan. During the War of Liberation, the Pak army killed 139 people in Fatullah Thana on 29 November 1971.
Places to see	sonargaon of the district was an important historical place from the ancient time. It was the capital of Bengal during the reign of isa khan. During the War of Liberation, the Pak army killed 139 people in Fatullah Thana on 29 November 1971.
Newspapers	The Daily Sitalakhya, Khaborer Pata; weekly Fair House; extinct: weekly Sakal Barta, Ganadak.

Population Census Of Sonargaon Upazila

Sonargaon (Bengali: সোনারগাঁও) is an Upazila of Narayanganj District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.Sonargaon is located at 23.6583°N 90.6083°E . It has 44405 households and total area 171.66 km².As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Sonargaon has a population of 261881. Males constitute 52.11% of the population, and females 47.89%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 118319. SonargaSonargaon has 11 Unions/Wards, 354 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 473 villages.on has an average literacy rate of 33.1% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.Local food includes Gurer Zilapi, Murali, Binni Khoi, Shwandesh, etc.

History Of Narayanganj District

Named after Bicon Lal Pandey, a Hindu religious leader who was also known as Benur Thakur or Lakhsmi Narayan Thakur. Pandey acquired ownership of the region from the British East India Company in 1766 after the Battle of Plassey. He declared the marketplaces on the banks of the Shitalakshya river as endowed property to pay for expenses for the worship of the God Narayan. Subsequently, the region was named Narayanganj.

Important developments

• The post office was established in 1866.
• The Narayanganj municipality was officially founded on 8 September 1876.
• Dhaka–Narayanganj telegraph service was set up in 1877.
• Telephony was introduced by the Bank of Bengal in 1882.

Narayanganj became a district (Bengali: জেলা pronounced: Jela) on 15 February 1984. Formerly, it was a subdistrict (Bengali: উপজেলা pronounced: upojela) of the Dhaka district. It grew in importance in the seventeenth and eighteenth century, due to the influx of the Portuguese and the English. The first to develop was the west bank of Shitalakshya. Narayanganj only became important in the nineteenth century, when the Rally Brothers started a company exporting jute to the west in 1830, aided by a company from Assam. By 1908, 18 European companies, and two Indian companies were trading in jute from Calcutta.

From 1947, with the formation of Pakistan, the economy transformed from being mainly a jute production to include jute milling. This followed the establishment of a number of mills in and around Narayanganj that gave the local economy a great boost.

Religion

The district of Narayanganj has 3078 mosques, 269 temples, 10 churches and 4 Buddhist temples.

Administration

• Administrator of Zila Porishod: Abdul Hai
• Deputy Commissioner (DC): Anisur Rahaman Miah

Places of interest

The ancient city of Sonargaon was the capital of Isa Khan, a medieval ruler of Bengal. Sonargaon is also famous for producing muslin, a delicate and fine cloth made from cotton. The Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra (DND) embankment surrounds Narayanganj district and protects it from flooding.

• The Bangladesh Engineering and Ship Building Corporation at Sonakanda on the east bank of the Shitalakshya River, established in 1925.