Actually I was referring specifically to the shape of the Mughal pavilion. Of course, this sort of brick architecture is a lot older.

I was referring to the curve of the roofs...but as far as free standing or engaged pavilions go, I am not certain which is the oldest example in the "Bangla" style. I would have to look into some books but those are not close to me at present since I am away from home for a couple of months.

I was referring to the curve of the roofs...but as far as free standing or engaged pavilions go, I am not certain which is the oldest example in the "Bangla" style. I would have to look into some books but those are not close to me at present since I am away from home for a couple of months.

Cool. You seem to know your stuff about Bengali architecture. :cheers:

A nice Sultanate period mosque...Shankarpasha Shai Mosque, Habiganj. Photo by smc123. Fine "laukhauri" brickwork embellished with terracotta decoration was characteristic of Bengali architecture until the arrival of the Mughals, whereafter plastered surfaces were the norm, except for some temples. Sometimes - as at Gaur - these buildings were previously also decorated with brightly colored tilework. Most of the tiles have fallen off or eroded with time. In the first pic below, the mosque is viewed from the side. There is a triple domed antechamber at the front (towards the right in the first pic). This plan of 3 dome antechamber + single dome main chamber was a common one in Sultanate period and carried on into the post-Sultanate period, with the most famous example of the latter being the Atia Masjid in Tangail.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/4053384114_60d8fb630d_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/4053381484_d0c78a3ddf_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4053379804_f7292616c1_o.jpg

My favorite church in Bangladesh...Holy Rosary Church in Tejgaon. This Mughal era building incorporates South Asian architectural styles with European ones to create a uniquely local Christian architectural vocabulary...unlike later churches which were more purely European in derivation. Photo by Shadow of Dark.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/shadowofdark.jpg

:) Thanks Tanzirian. Here are some of my finds. Please forgive if they have been posted before:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3375/3613005621_bdf2cd9d62_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28468597@N05/3613005621/)
Shiva Temple in in Puthia, Rajshahi


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3613004611_fb2d1e278e_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28468597@N05/3613004611/)
Ahni Temple, Rajshahi

^^ Thanks Marathaman. The two temples above are both in Puthia, a small town near Rajshahi. Puthia possibly has the nicest collection of Hindu temples in Bangladesh...plus it also has a nice jamidar (zamindar) mansion. There are lots of pics of Puthia temples in this thread as well as others...check them out if you like. The Govinda Temple is the one I like best among the Puthia temples...this is very similar to the Kantaji Temple near Dinajpur but unlike Kantaji the five little towers on the roof (symbolising peaks of Mt Meru, I think?) are still intact.

Mazar of Shah Makhdum. I think it is in or near Rajshahi...I was not aware of this place till seeing this picture then doing some googling. The photo is by khalil5813 :

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2787707028_da75d7653f_b.jpg

Mujib Memorial Complex, Tungipara. Source: pblbd.com

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/pbl5.jpg

Temple built in early Pala period dug out

Archaeologists of Jahan-girnagar University in Dhaka have recently dug out the first Hindu temple from the early Pala period in Bengal at Chandipur village in Birampur upazila of Dinajpur tentatively dating back to the 8th century.

No other Hindu temple of any kind dates from Pala period (eighth eleventh century) in Bengal, according to experts.

A team of students of the Department of Archaeology and experienced excavators from Mahasthan, directed by Swadhin Sen, assistant professor, Department of Archaeology, and led by Prof Syed Md Kamrul Ahsan of the same department, started digging on this archaeological mound locally known as “Tileshwarir Mound” in 2007.

A number of experts from India, France, England and Bangladesh from various fields including archaeology, geology and geomorphology are collaborating with the team. Archeologists exposed a cell with four pillars and a staircase leading into that cell along with other brick built structures on the eastern part of the mound and found huge amount of potsherds of Pala period and onward in previous season.

Swadhin Sen, the director of the excavation team, said this season they have found another cell on the western part adjoining the earlier one.

According to him the four-pillared room served as the garvagriha and the cell of the west with a brick built platform inside acted as the mandapa as per the layout style of a Hindu temple. He added that the stratigraphy of the excavation proofs that the religious edifice was used and reused several times until the 14th-15th century.

The team has found three terracotta plaques from a trench. One of them has been identified with the Vamana incarnation of the Hindu god Visnu. The two others are under scrutiny now.

Visiting the site, Dr Arun Nag, reader of ancient Indian culture, history and archaeology of Biswabharati University and an expert in eastern Indian architecture, has inferred that this temple is devoted to Visnu. The architectural style and the pottery assemblages found from several consecutive floor levels and floor preparation levels dates back to the 8th century, the period of early Pala kings.

Prof Dipak Ranjan Das, a retired professor of ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology of Calcutta University and one of the most prominent authorities on eastern Indian architecture, supported this inference on dating of the temple.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=132025

^^ Very interesting....would like to see some pics....

About which temple is the oldest, I am uncertain...for example, the well known Gokul Medh in Mahasthan was constructed in the 6th and 7th centuries (before Pal rule), though I am not sure whether it was originally Hindu or Buddhist in function. Later on the Medh was remodeled and served as a Siva temple in Sen times.

Priceless Finds

Audity Falguni


The news of two successfully conducted excavations by the archaeologists comprising of both students and teachers of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka created quite a lot of excitement among the public. The major findings of the excavations include the first Hindu temple from the early Pala period in Bengal at Chandipur village in Birampur upazila, Dinajpur and remains and relics of three Buddhist monasteries of 10th-11th centuries A.D. at Nawabganj in Dinajpur.

The Star recently took an on-line interview of Swadhin Sen, Assistant Professor, Archaeology Department of Jahangirnagar University and director of the excavation work.

The Star: As a young archaeologist, why have you committed yourself to excavating at this particular region of Dinajpur? What have been your major findings in the recent excavations?

Swadhin Sen: I am a member of a group called Ecological Archaeology Group in the Department of Archaeology, JU. I am carrying out excavations in this region as the director of the excavation team from 2006 as part of my Ph.D. research under a codirected programme between my University and University of Lyon 2 in France. Prof. Syed Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan is the leader of the group.

In fact, the northwestern part of Bangladesh contains a huge proportion of archaeological records. The pioneering work of A. K. M. Zakaria in this region has been our inspiration. In spite of the reference of hundreds of archaeological records which were in this area in late 60s, very few of them exist these days owing to severe destruction. Besides, this area of Dinajpur-Joypurhat lies in the hinterland between two very important ancient cities - Mahasthangarh and Bangarh. In our archaeological tradition less emphasis has been given to the peripheral hinterland zones. We decided to transgress this boundary of the tradition of archaeological practice dominant in Bangladesh. This is the main reason for the selection of this region.

To fulfill our objectives, we started and completed a very systematic survey following recent methods in six thanas of Dinajpur district, three thanas of Joypurhat district. We have already conducted excavations in seven separate locations. However, the news of excavation at only two archaeological sites namely Chandipur village (a Hindu temple of Pala dynasty period), Birmapur and three Buddhist monastries at Domile in Nawabganj upazilla of Dinajpur so far have been published in newspapers. Hopefully, some more important discoveries would gradually be published after scholarly scrutiny. Let me focus on the findings at the two particular sites you have mentioned.

We have found a Hindu temple belonging tentatively to 8th century AD (Early Pala Period) comprising two brick-built cells side-by-side. The room on the east have four pillars and it served as the garvagriha (core interior of the temple). The cell of the west with a brick built platform inside acted as the mandapa in tune with the layout style of a Hindu temple. We think on the basis of terracotta plaques found from recent excavation that this temple was devoted to Visnu.

Our excavation at Domile of Nawabganj thana indicates that the architectural remains of three Buddhist monasteries found here belong to 10th-11th century AD. This is the first time in Bangladesh that three monasteries within the proximity of 500m have been excavated in the northwestern part of the country.


What do you personally believe to be the salient characteristics of the excavation work?

We are trying to develop a chronological frame of the surveyed and excavated archaeological sites on the basis of stratigraphy, geomorphology and material culture. Additionally, we are closely focusing on geoarchaeological works on alluvial plains for interpreting past landscape, river system and ecology in relation to human settlements in the zone. We have already found and interpreted reliable evidence on the nature and temporal changes of the palaeo landscape, river, flood and human settlements in this zone. Public archaeological research (perception of past and its remains in public domain, the problems related to protecting heritage etc) is another essential component of our works. In addition, we have developed a digital catalogue of Dinajpur museum and it has been uploaded on the web.

Would you please tell us something about assemblages of pottery at three Buddhist monasteries in Nawabganj which helped you to get insight into the time period of the foundation and ultimate destruction of these monasteries?

To satisfy your curiosity, we are trying to construct a pottery index of the northwestern part of Bangladesh for the post-6th century period by comparing stratigraphically referenced pottery from Mahasthan and some of the sites in same hinterland and the West Bengal excavated by our colleagues from Visva Bharati University. Pottery is the most abundant archaeological material in Bangladesh; yet it is the most neglected because it does not have the representative value as do sculptures, plaques, inscriptions, etc.

How are the senior archaeologists and experts evaluating the excavation work and findings by you and your students?

Honestly speaking, a number of experts from India, France, England and Bangladesh from various fields including archaeology, geology and geomorphology are already collaborating with our team. Prof. S. N. Rajaguru, the most eminent geo archaeologist in South Asia has been one of the key figures of our work. Dr Arun Nag, reader of ancient Indian culture, history and archaeology of Visva Bharati University, Barbara Faticoni, an Italian archaeologist, Dr. Dominique Allios, an expert on pottery, Dr. Sheena Panja, reader from Visva Bharati University among others are few of the experts closely associated with our work since the last 10 years.

What particular problems do archaeologists face while conducting excavation in Bangladesh? Do we have sufficient archaeological legislation to preserve our heritage sites?

I must admit that we do face problems due to lack of funding. Perhaps, it is the most critical problem right now for us. Yes, we need money to rethink and rewrite history, we don't need a lot; yet, no one is ready to give that in a straightforward and honest way. At the same time, we are working with the Antiquity Act 1968 (amended in 1976). This act has become obsolete considering developments on extremely heterogeneous terrain of recent archaeology. It needs to be changed immediately by taking into account the various legislations and acts pertaining to property, land and criminal actions. Most of the archaeological sites in northwestern part of Bangladesh are being ransacked and robbed by the illegal and legal occupants of vested, debottara (land dedicated to a Hindu deity) and government khas land. They are being registered illegally or leased legally by the local administration to private ownership. We need to reform and change the Antiquity Act and build a National Heritage Policy.

As a man you are free to move anywhere in Bangladesh and start your excavation work. But, is the environment woman-friendly enough for female archaeologists to take up this field with challenge so that they can also contribute in the same way as their male counterparts?

I find this question very illuminating indeed. Many of our students are women. Archaeological work is a collective effort and I found my female coworkers much more sincere, committed and passionate in their work in the field. Nevertheless, they don't really have a woman-friendly environment in the field in a straightforward way. First and foremost, we need professionalism in the archaeological practice and provide good careers in this field which is completely absent at present in Bangladesh.

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2010/05/01/interview.htm

^^ Thanks for the info, I've been interested in archaeology since I was a kid. Would love to see some pics of these finds.

Here are two pics recently posted by henrystash. I think they are of the same temple, which I am unfamiliar with, though I cannot discount the first pic being of a separate temple or even mosque. Not sure of the location, as the photographer did not provide any info other than it being in BD. Surviving temples of this type tend to date from the 19th or perhaps 18th centuries, though there are one or two surviving structures from the 17th century.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4583906180_084ff9b0b8_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4583905186_d874a64ff2_b.jpg

Mosque in Ishwardy, Pabna. Seems inspired by Humayun's tomb in Delhi, except for the minarets. Photo by Shameem Bakhshi

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/sb1-1.jpg

Baitul Mukarram (Arabic: بيت المكرّم‎; Bengali: বায়তুল মোকাররম; The Holy House) is the national mosque of Bangladesh. Located at the heart of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, the mosque was founded during the 1960s. The mosque has a capacity of 30,000, giving it the respectable position of being the 10th biggest mosque in the world. However the mosque is constantly getting overcrowded. This especially occurs during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which has resulted in the Bangladeshi government having to add extensions to the mosque, thus increasing the capacity to at least 40,000.

http://en.hemeyou.com/Resources/editor/places/image/0011431fa3350c217fb450.jpg

http://en.hemeyou.com/thumb/w600/jpg/610x.jpg

http://en.hemeyou.com/places/dhaka/ancient/23/

^^ Baitul Mukarram isnt really historic.

^^ Baitul Mukarram isnt really historic.

I guess people are using this thread to post pics of both old and new religious places.. for example tanzarian also posted photos of Baitul Mukkaram on page 7:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=474986&page=5

I guess people are using this thread to post pics of both old and new religious places.. for example tanzarian also posted photos of Baitul Mukkaram on page 7:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=474986&page=5

Yup, this thread was intended for pictures of any interesting religious structures, not just the historic ones.

I will be going to Dhaka very briefly this December...if I have some free time I will try to take some pics around Motijheel as it is close to me, including Baitul Mukarram.

Love this thread !!!

Yup, this thread was intended for pictures of any interesting religious structures, not just the historic ones.

I will be going to Dhaka very briefly this December...if I have some free time I will try to take some pics around Motijheel as it is close to me, including Baitul Mukarram.
Take some pictures of old Dhaka, if you could please. Places like Nawabpur, Laxmibazar, Sadarghat, etc. Thanks.

Take some pictures of old Dhaka, if you could please. Places like Nawabpur, Laxmibazar, Sadarghat, etc. Thanks.

I don't know if I will have much free time to roam around by myself...I will be visiting some family in or near some part of Old Dhaka so if there is anything interesting in that area I will try to snap some shots...

u can try this following link that start to encourage our glory of Paharpur http://bdheritage.info

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/Map-6.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/Map-9.jpg

Muslim Mausoleum of Greater Dhaka

What an awesome map!

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Hussaini%20Dalan/IMG_0565.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Hussaini%20Dalan/IMG_0564.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Hussaini%20Dalan/IMG_0563.jpg

Mandir located near Kali Bari Road, Sylhet

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03436.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03429-1.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03430.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03431.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03432.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03433.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03434.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03435.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03437.jpg


Masjid built (it's quite new) to commemerate the spot where Shah Jalal crossed the river Surma to enter Sylhet

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03707.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03716.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03717.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03720.jpg


Various masjids around Sylhet City - a many number can be found in these styles

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC04146.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03530.jpg

The Pagla Masjid, Sylhet Division

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03460.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03463.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03466.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03468.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03470.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03471.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03472.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03473.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03477.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03478.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03481.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03483.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03487.jpg

Mandir nearing completion in Sylhet City

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03546.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03549.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03547.jpg

Beautiful photos by devastasian. Thanks. I love Sylhet & hope visit there again :-)

^^ Pagla Mosque is a nice design.

There is one Sylhet Mosque that I like, but have not seen a high-res picture of yet, is the one at Prithimpasha:

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/267/1254028.jpg

I've seen a Masjid like Pagla Masjid in Sunamgang. I couldn't find my pic.

^^

very nice pics...

I found this really neat website (once you get used to all the banners on the website) containing pictures of different mosques, temples and zamindar houses in Bangladesh. The guy also has some commentaries about each of the places he visits.

http://icwow.blogspot.com/

2010 and 2009 entries have a lot of cool pictures.

Bagerhat listed by Forbes in the "15 Lost Cities of the World" along with more illustrious places like Baylon, Carthage, Pompeii & Troy..

http://www.forbes.com/2011/04/05/lost-city-archaeology-adventure-tours-travel-forbeslife_slide_12.html

Mosque City of Bagerhat
Country: Bangladesh

Civilization: Khan Jahan Ali

Inhabited: 15th century A.D.

The city formerly known as Khalifatabad was founded by a Turkish general. It boasts more than 50 Islamic monuments and the Sixty Pillar Mosque, constructed with 60 pillars and 80 domes.