Azimpur Boro Daira Shairf

Khan Mohammad Mridha's Mosque

This mosque was built to emulate the Lalbagh mosque and is located in an area called Atish Khana, close to the northwest corner of the Lalbagh fort। The mosque rises above its surroundings because the tahkhana or underground rooms of the mosque is above grade. The roof of the tahkhana forms the platform on which the mosque is situated. According to an inscription found, the mosque was built during the rule of Deputy Governor of Dhaka, Farrukh Siyar, by a Khan Muhammad Mirza, who could have been the architect. The construction was orders by a Qazi Ibadullah.

The platform is 16'-6" above the ground level। The tahkhana comprises of vaulted rooms for living purposes. The mosque is accessed from the east, up a flight of twenty-five steps. Area wise, the mosque occupies only a small portion of the platform.

The prayer hall is a rectangular structure measuring 48' x 24' and is capped by three domes, the central being the larger one। The smaller sizes of the side domes are achieved by using intermediary pendentives. The corners minarets are short and slender, rising just above the parapet and are capped by ribbed copulas. The annex to the north of the mosque serves as a madrasa or religious school and has a hujra or arcaded hall that is used for travelers and visitors. The facade of the mosque is decorated with paneling and ornamental merlons along the parapet. The entrances to the prayer hall are framed by multi-cusped arches and engaged columns on either side.

Fersi inscription on the wall of the mosque

The interior is divided into three bays by two lateral arches. Each bay contains a mihrab that is marked by multi-cusped arch within a rectangular panel. (source:banglapedia)