Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah
Published: 12:00 AM, 25 June 2016
The Oldest Surviving Mughal Monument in Dhaka City
Historical Eidgah (Dhaka) at Sat Masjid Road, Dhanmondi was constructed by Mir Abul Qasim, Dewan by the order of Prince Shah Shuja, Mughal viceroy of Bengal, second son of Emperor Shahjahan. A Persian inscription records the date of its erection in 1640 AD (1050 AH). The Eidgah for Eid congregation was a platform measuring 148' x 137' in size raised from the surrounding land by 4-6 feet. During Mughal period, a river branch flowed beside the Eidgah connected the river near Saat Masjid. Conservationist architect Abu Sayeed M Ahmed wtote, "This Eidgah is the oldest surviving Mughal monument in Dhaka city. There is no second one with the architectural forms and features similar to it."
The Eidgah (open field for Eid prayer) consists of a free standing wall on the west, measuring 137 feet 15 feet high, containing a semi-octagonal multi-cusped central Mihrab (prayer-niche) flanked on either side by panels set within frame. The whole wall surface is plastered with elegant decoration in low relief.This beautiful structure typical of the Mughal architecture was in partial ruins for lack of maintenance after Mughal's Bengal capital was shifted from Dhaka to Murshidabad and this portion of the Indian subcontinent was captured by the British.This oldest Mughal Monument in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, still draws a large number of visitors because of its architectural beauty. The Mughal Subehdars and Diwans living in this land used to come to the Eidgah for Eid prayers twice a year. People still gather at the place in congregation for prayers on Eid day.
The Eidgah with its red coloured high earthen platform and the elegant masonry wall on west was a prominent landmark in west Dhanmondi area and could be visible from a great distance till early 50's (Dhanmondi residential area in its early stage). Since then, structures mushrooming around it have kept the old Mughal structure out of visibility. Residences, several Govt offices, godowns, a marriage registrar office, a youth club, few tea stalls, madrasah and a dormitory for the students around have completely overshadowed the Eidgah.
The Eidgah (open field for Eid prayer) consists of a free standing wall on the west, measuring 137 feet 15 feet high, containing a semi-octagonal multi-cusped central Mihrab (prayer-niche) flanked on either side by panels set within frame. The whole wall surface is plastered with elegant decoration in low relief.This beautiful structure typical of the Mughal architecture was in partial ruins for lack of maintenance after Mughal's Bengal capital was shifted from Dhaka to Murshidabad and this portion of the Indian subcontinent was captured by the British.This oldest Mughal Monument in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, still draws a large number of visitors because of its architectural beauty. The Mughal Subehdars and Diwans living in this land used to come to the Eidgah for Eid prayers twice a year. People still gather at the place in congregation for prayers on Eid day.
The Eidgah with its red coloured high earthen platform and the elegant masonry wall on west was a prominent landmark in west Dhanmondi area and could be visible from a great distance till early 50's (Dhanmondi residential area in its early stage). Since then, structures mushrooming around it have kept the old Mughal structure out of visibility. Residences, several Govt offices, godowns, a marriage registrar office, a youth club, few tea stalls, madrasah and a dormitory for the students around have completely overshadowed the Eidgah.
