(Rajshahi division)

SOMAPURA MAHAVIHARA , PAHARPUR BUDDHIST MONASTERY

Somapura Mahavihara

NAOGAON

In Paharpur, a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj railway station in the greater Rajshahi district,  the remains of the  most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas has bee excavated. 

Somapura was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.


structure 
 

This  8th century A.D. archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The entire establishment occupies a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. and from 12fh to 15ft. in height with elaborate gateway complex  on the north. There are  45 cells on the north and 44 in each of other three sides with a total number of 177 rooms. 

The rooms were used by the monks for accommodation and meditation. In addition to the large number of stupas and shrines of various sizes and shapes, terracotta plaques, stone sculptures, inscriptions, coins, ceramics etc. have been discovered.

The site houses the architectural remains of a vast Buddhist monastery, Somapura Mahavihara. It was an important intellectual centre for Dharmic Traditions such as Buddhists (Buddha Dharma), Jains (Jaina Dharma) and Hindus (Sanatana Dharma) alike. The outside walls with ornamental terracotta palques still display the influence of these three religions.

In terms of acreage, Somapura was the largest of the mahaviharas. It was also quite unusual architecturally. As one scholar described, the complex was dominated by a temple, which was not typical, and further, the temple had "none of the characteristic features of Indian temple architecture, but is strongly reminiscent of Buddhist temples of Burma, Java and Cambodia, reproducing the cruciform basement, terraced structure with inset chambers and gradually dwindling pyramid form . . during the age of the Palas some sort of intercourse between eastern India and south-east Asia existed . . but how this temple type, represented in India by this solitary example, became the standard of Buddhist temple architecture is not known." Another commented, "there can be no doubt that this style of architecture has most profoundly influenced that of Burma, Java and Cambodia. The nearest approximation to the plan and the superstructure of the Paharpur temple is afforded by the temples known as Chandi Loro Jongrang and Chandi Sevu of Prambanam in Central Java.

  

Central Temple

The purpose of this central structure at the midst of the courtyard remains unsolved since its discovery. Hence most of the debates generated hitherto on the architecture of Sompur Mahavihara are cantered on the identification its missing superstructure. The reason may be manifold, but the most important one is the non-availability of substantial amount of first hand resource including a comprehensive architectural documentation at the disposal of the researchers. There are different arguments regarding the terminating top of the central structure of Sompur Mahavihara.

Consequently, most of works done so far are mainly based on the findings of the archaeological excavation and studying the artefacts from the archaeological perspective. The first ever study on this monument with documentation was been carried by archaeologist K.N. Dikhist in his, Paharpur, Memoirs of Archaeological Survey in India (1938). Dikhsit was not concerned with documentation of the archaeological findings, but also concentrates on their interpretation and analysis. He also made an attempt to suggest a probable architectural of the missing parts of the structure through studying the archaeological remains. Till today, this study is considered as the most authentic record of the Sompur Mahavihara.

Prudence R. Myer published the first of such studies in 1969 as a journal paper, in which he proposed the missing superstructure as a stupa and illustrated the possible three-dimensional articulations. Myer embarked on his proposal through a diachronic study of the Stupa and Stupa shrines in India. He took Sompur Mahavihara as an example to elaborate his study and did a conjectural restoration of the central structure in support of his analysis.

The second work was published around thirty years after Myer's proposition. A team of architects from Khulna University lead by Mohammed Ali Naqi has proposed another theoretical reconstruction of the central structure as well as some parts of the peripheral block (mainly the entrance hall) in 1999. This work was also presented in the "International Seminar on Elaboration of an rchaeological Research Strategy for Paharpur World Heritage Site and Its Environment" jointly organized by UNESCO and Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh in 2004. Muhammad Ali Naqi proposed a temple like spire at the top by considering the central mound as a ‘Stupa-Shrine’ with a ‘Shikhara’ type stupa in his reconstruction.

  

History

A number of monasteries grew up during the Pāla period in ancient Bengal and Magadha. According to Tibetan sources, five great Mahaviharas stood out: Vikramashila, the premier university of the era; Nalanda, past its prime but still illustrious, Somapura Mahavihara, Odantapurā, and Jaggadala. The five monasteries formed a network; "all of them were under state supervision" and their existed "a system of co-ordination among them . . it seems from the evidence that the different seats of Buddhist learning that functioned in eastern India under the Pāla were regarded together as forming a network, an interlinked group of institutions," and it was common for great scholars to move easily from position to position among them.

The excavation at Paharpur, and the finding of seals bearing the inscription Shri-Somapure-

 Shri-Dharmapaladeva-Mahavihariyarya-bhiksu-sangghasya, has identified the Somapura Mahavihara as built by the second Pala king Dharmapala (circa 781-821) of Pāla Dynasty. Some clay seals from the ruins bear the inscription Shri-Somapure-Shri-Dharmapaladeva-Mahavihariyarya-bhiksu-sangghasya. Tibetan sources, including Tibetan translations of Dharmakayavidhi and Madhyamaka Ratnapradipa, Taranatha's history and Pag-Sam-Jon-Zang, mention that Dharmapala's successor Devapala (circa 810—850) built it after his conquest of Varendra. The Paharpur pillar inscription bears the mention of 5th regnal year of Devapala's successor Mahendrapala (circa 850—854) along with the name of Bhiksu Ajayagarbha. Taranatha's Pag Sam Jon Zang records that the monastery was repaired and renovated during the reign of Mahipala (circa 995—1043 AD).

The Nalanda inscription of Vipulashrimitra records that the monastery was destroyed by fire, which also killed Vipulashrimitra's ancestor Karunashrimitra, during a conquest by the Vanga army in the 11th century, assumed to be an army of the Varman rulers. About a century later Vipulashrimitra renovated the vihara and added a temple of Tara. The restoration work was alluded to as jagatang netraika vishrama bhuh (a singular feast to the eyes of the world).

Atisha Dipankar Srijnan stayed here for many years and translated the Madhyamaka Ratnapradipa into Tibetan. Over time Atish's spiritual preceptor, Ratnakara Shanti served as a sthavira of the vihara, Mahapanditacharya Bodhibhadra served as a resident monk, and several other scholars spent some part of their lives at this monastery including Kalamahapada, Viryendra and Karunashrimitra. Many Tibetan monks visited the Somapura between 9th and 12th centuries

During the rule of the Sena dynasty, known as Karnatadeshatagata Brahmaksatriya, in the second half of the 12th century the vihara started to decline for the last time. It was finally abandoned during the 13th century, when the area came under Muslim occupation. One scholar writes, "The ruins of the temple and monasteries at Pāhāpur do not bear any evident marks of large-scale destruction. The downfall of the establishment, by desertion or destruction, must have been sometime in the midst of the widespread unrest and displacement of population consequent on the Muslim invasion.

Museum

Paharpur Museum Gate

A site  museum built recently houses the  representative coactions of objects recovered from the area. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the  Veranda Research museum at Rajshahi. The  antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaques, images of different  gods and goddesses, potteries, coins, inscriptions, ornamental bricks and  other minor clay objects .

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

KUSUMBA MOSQUE

Kusumba Mosque

Naogaon

Kusumba Mosque  is named after the village of Kusumba.The Kusumba mosque is one such example in Bengal, which may be termed as Black Gem of Bengal. Stones used in this mosque are dark black-basalt that was transported from Rajmahal hill of Bihar through waterways. This stone mosque is situated in the village Kusumba in the district of Naogaon. According to an inscription, it was erected by a patron, Sulayman in 1558 during the reign of Ghiyath al din Bahadur Shah.

It is located on the west bank of a big tank measuring 381m x 274 m. The mosque, presently protected by the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh, was badly damaged during the earthquake of 1897. Although the main fabric of the building is of brick, all of the exterior walls, and the interior up to the arches of the pendentives, have stone facing. The columns, platform, floor, and perforated side screens are of stone. The mosque has a rectangular plan with three bays and two aisles, three entrances on the east, and two each on the north and south sides.

The central mihrab is projected in the west. The interior west (qibla) wall has two mihrabs on the floor level opposite the central and southeastern entrances, but the one in the northwestern bay is above a raised platform ascended by a staircase on the east. The presence of such a platform in a non-imperial mosque indicates that not only royalty, but nobility and high-ranking officials were also separated from the general public during prayers.

The mihrabs have elaborate stone carving. They have cusped arches crowned with kalasa (water pot) motifs, supported on intricately carved stone pillars which have projections and tasselled decorations hanging from chains. Bunches of grapes and vines curve in an almost serpentine manner on the mihrab frames, and kalasas, tendrils, and rosettes are reduced to dots. The platform edge has grape vine decoration, and there are rosettes on the spandrels of the arches supporting the platform, as well as on the mihrab wall.

 Kusumba Mosque plan

The stone used in the exterior facing is of coarse quality and is carved in shallow relief. Mouldings are the most prominent decorative feature on the outside. They divide the walls into upper and lower sections, run all along the curved cornice, around the corner towers, and frame the rectangular panels in the east, south, and north walls. The spandrels of the central entrance arch are filled with small kalasa and rosette motifs. The north and south sides have screened windows.

The Muslim rulers were not only introduced to the Bengali architecture specifically Islamic features such as the dome and the pointed arch, but also to crystallised certain local tendencies in a new tradition that was as much Bengali as Islamic.

How to go?

Firstly you need to go Naogaon from anywhere of Bangladesh. From Naogaon town, ride into a bus to 

Rajshahi (approximately 32 km). From Naogaon central bus stand, buses leave regularly after few minutes for Rajshahi. Just get off from bus at Kusumba Bazaar and walk for the Kusumba Mosque. It's near from bus stop. That means walking distance.

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SWEET : KACHA GOLLA

Kacha Golla

NATORE

This one kind of sweet. It is famous all over the country for its taste. Kacha Golla is made from milk. You can get it in any sweet shop. But nowadays best quality Kacha Golla is available only at Dwarik Vandar. Which is situated near Joi Kali Bari mondir.Mouchak Mistanna Vandar which is situated at Alaipur of Natore town is another shop which produces good quality Kacha Golla . If you come Natore don't miss to go for that.

Monday, September 19, 2011

NATORE RAJBARI

Natore Rajbari

NATORE

How can i reach there:   District: Natore >  Natore Rajbari

The name of Rani Bhabani is that most nearly Related with what may be the most Impressive of the many palace in Bangladesh.

The Rajbari, or Zaminder palace continues to be one of the most familier places in Bangladesh for those for whom such hold attraction, and some of the Edwardian Neoclassical and Baroque pavilions serve as offices for government administration, which at least ensures a modicum of maintenance.

There are, in fact, to palaces, or Zaminderbari, in Natore, in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh. The most ancient is, clearly, the Natore Rajbari: the other is Dighapatiya Palace, an Edwardian brick masterpiece, now known as Uttara Gono Bhaban, the official northern Presidential and Prime Ministerial residence.

This latter palace, for security reasons, is not easy to gain admission to, and it is forbidden to photograph; however, alittle way north, towards Bogra, stand the fine Pooja halls constructed for the earlier Raja, or Zaminder. These latter are certainly worth a visit.

The original Rajbari, the Natore Rajbari, sprawls across a wide area, and it is easy to miss some of the fine array of architectural monuments. It is, howver, in the area, the old palace ruins that are, in a very interesting site, the most compelling.

It is often claimed that Rani Bhabani was responsible for building this palace, but since it is clearly of Mughal origin, it seems likely that its origins were earlier. Born in 1716, to a Brahmin family living near Bogra, in 1731, not unusually, at the age of 15, she was married to Raja Ramakanta, the landholder under the Mughal dynasty of much of the Rajshahi area. It seems likely that the old palace was already his residence.

On his death in 1748, she became the landholder, also in the Mughal period known as the zaminder, although with somewhat less onerous duties than developed later.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable women in the history of the women of the area that was to become Bangladesh, her management of the vast landholdings she inherited made her famous. She not only maintained excellent relations with the Mughal Nawabs, the last independent one being the vanquished at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, but also with the developing regime of the East India Compant, who changed the role of Zaminder to one with far greater fiscal responsibility.

Until her death in 1795, she was famous for her extensive use of her influence and wealth on behalf of the communities that were her responsibility. A devout Hindu, although much of her work included the building of fine temples, both in the lands of Bangladesh, and in what is now West Bengal, in India, it was also focussed on the well being of Muslim and Hindu alike, sponsoring medical facilities, water storage tanks, roads and road houses for travellers.

The Rajbari that she knew in Natore was largely destroyed in the Great India Earthquake of 1897, but the brickwork and terracotta of those ruins describe a magnificent palace.

The zaminders of the late 19^th Century replaced the buildings ruined by the impressive structures that remain. It takes the better part of a day to do justice to all that is to be seen there in the sprawling, tree studded acres, one of the few such places in Bangladesh to offer such ease of access and reasonably well maintained grounds.

CHOTO SONA MOSQUE, OR SONA MASJID

Choto Sona Mosque

NAWABGANJ

One of the most graceful monument of the Sultanate period is the Chhota Sona Masjid or Small Golden Mosque at Gaur in Rajshahi Built by one Wali Muhammad during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah (1493–1519). Originally it was roofed over with 15 gold-gilded domes including the 3 Chauchala domes in the middle row, from which it derives its curious name.

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SHIVA TEMPLE AT PUTHIA, PUTHIA TEMPLE, LARGE SHIVA TEMPLE PUTHIA

The Shiva Temple

RAJSHAHI

The Shiva Tempel was built in the 19th century by then queen of Puthia. The temple, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the Hindu god known as Shiva.

Shiva temple

Today, it stands as the largest temple of Shiva in Bangladesh. The Shiva Temple shows some features of Jaipur architecture. It also houses one of the largest black basalt Shiva Linga in the country.

Left-hand side to enter the market of putiya, Large Shiva Temple is located on the south. The main gate is located on the south side of the temple.

The Shiva Linga at the Shiva temple

There are Four corners in the four side and a central peak (stone temple) in the middle. The central peak is about twenty meters high. This temple(Shiva temple puthiya) is a significant achievement in the temples of puthiyaya.

During the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, the temple was severely damaged due to fighting.The temple is now a protected monument.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

ABOUT RUET

Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology is one of the prestigious Universities in the Northern part of Bangladesh offering Engineering and Technological education effectively. It was founded in 1964 as a faculty of Engineering under the University of Rajshahi providing four years Bachelor degree in Civil, Electrical and Electronic and Mechanical Engineering.

However, the institution could not achieve its goal because of the complicated management system: The administration was controlled by the Ministry of Education; academic curriculum by the University of Rajshahi and the infrastructural development and maintenance by the Public Works Department. To circumvent the aforesaid problems several committees and commissions were formed since 1973. On the recommendation of these committees/commissions and having considered the practical aspects, it had been taken a historical step to give autonomy to the four Engineering Colleges to make them centers of excellence of technology and formed a 15 member high-powered committee headed by Professor Dr. Wahid Uddin Ahmed, the then Vice Chancellor of BUET. The consistent effort of this committee ultimately led to the establishment of 4 Engineering colleges to Bangladesh Institute of Technology (BIT) in July 1986. But due to limited autonomy and some constitutional inadequacies of the BIT ordinance, the expected progress of the Institutions could not be achieved. This ultimately necessitates reframing the Institutes as full-fledged universities. Due to the development of Engineering Education it was the appropriate steps to convert the 4 BITs to Engineering and Technological Universities. The parliament passed the university bill and that ultimately paved the way to commence the activities of university from Septmenber 1, 2002. The name of the BIT became Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET).

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

VARENDRA RESEARCH MUSEUM

Varendra Research Museum

RAJSHAHI

Varendra Research Museum

Varendra Museum was the first museum to be established in erstwhile East Bengal in 1910. Just a short distance away from the Rajshahi University in Rajshahi, in Bangladesh, is the Varendra

Research Museum. Over the years, the museum has not only gained popularity as a research centre, but as an attraction in Bangladesh. The Varendra Research Museum became a part of the Rajshahi University in 1960 and is known to be the oldest museum in the subcontinent.

The museum started out as the collection for Varendra Anushandhan Samiti or Varendra Investigation Society and got its current name in 1919. The Rajahs of Rajshahi and Natore, notably Prince Sharat Kumar Ray, donated their personal collections to Varendra Museum. Varendra refers to an ancient janapada roughly corresponding to modern northern Bangladesh.

Dhov kol (one time it use to store water since the time of Moharane Hemonto Kumare)

In side the Museum

This fact and that it is home to the largest collection of archaeological and historical artifacts and documents in regard to Bangladesh, makes this an attraction worth visiting.

The Varendra Research Museum collection consists of stone and metal sculptures, epigraphs, coins, pottery and plaques in terracotta, weapons, Arabic and Persian documents, paintings, books and periodicals, Sanskrit and Bangla manuscripts.

Gallery

Gallery-1 offers relics of the Indus Valley-Civilisation (2500 BC), finds from the excavations at Paharpur in Bangladesh (8th-12th century AD), Persian farmans and Bangla documents, Sanskrit inscriptions in old Bangla scripts, glazed tiles, metal ware in Islamic style, hand written copies of the Holy Quran, Bangla and Sanskrit manuscripts, Mughal paintings and miscellaneous sculptures in stone and bronze, antiquities from Nalanda, Bihar and other parts of India.

In Gallery-2, there are Buddhist and Hindu stone sculptures and modern wood sculptures. Gallery-3 displays Hindu sculptures: images of Surya, Shiva, Ganesha and Visnu, including his incarnatory forms. In Gallery-4 are cult icons of the Shaktas of Durga-Gauri-Uma-Parvati, the Matrikas and Chamunda. Gallery-5 offers images of Buddha, Bodhisattavas, Taras, Jaina Tirthankaras and minor gods and goddesses of Hinduism. In Gallery-6 there are Arabic. Persian, Sanskrit and old Bangla stone inscriptions, sculptured stones of the Muslim period, miharab, decorated doorjambs and lintels and a pair of Sher Shah's Bronze cannons

Terracotta

The upper row of the verandah is furnished with terracotta moulded plaques from Paharpur. In the bottom row are Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. The courtyard offers a fascinating view of sculptured stones from Hindu and Muslim buildings, stone pillars, Shiva Lingams and Yonipattas.

Stone sculptures

The museum library built up a collection of books and periodicals, right from the beginning, essential for research and higher studies in ancient and medieval history and art and archaeology of Bengal. The number of Sanskrit manuscripts traced so far is 2,530. An idea of their subject matter can be formed from the descriptive catalogue of 840 manuscripts prepared and already published (1979), 89 Puranas, 106 Smrti, 98 Grammar, 24 Lexicons, 71 Poetry, 10 Drama, 5 Rhetoric, 62 Vasisnava literature, 75 Vedanta (Nyaya), 37 Ayurveda. 37 Astrology, 2 History, 3 Buddhist literature, 12 Miscellaneous. The museum can, at present with 10,147 volumes, reasonably feel proud of its library.

River/Boat/Sunset

As a research facility, the Varendra Research Museum is vital for studies in history, archaeology and in anthropology. Working together with students and the university has enabled the museum to make significant discoveries and explore new territories. Their dedication and the tireless work being done by them is seen throughout the halls of the galleries. It allows locals and visitors to journey back in history and time to reflect on the progress that has been made since ancient times.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

SHRIN / DARGAH OF HAJRAT SHAH MOKHDUM RUPOSH (Rh.)

Shrine / Dargah of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum Ruposh (Rh.)

RAJSHAHI

Main gate of shrin

A gate named by hazrat shah Mokhdum Ruposh (Rh.) at Rajshahi city

Among many other popular tourist attractions in Rajshahi, Shrine of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum, Rajshahi is known be one of the ancient places in the city. Rajshahi is a district in Bangladesh that boasts of a large number of historical sites that can spellbind the visitors. The grace and elegance of Shrine of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum, Rajshahi is a must-visit for every traveler coming to the city.

Shrin gate

Rajshahi is itself an important tourist destination that houses many historical and ancient sites. Shrine of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum is a "majar" or "darga" that was built around the grave of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum Ruposh. He was known to be the first Islam preacher in the district of Rajshahi and the major dargah had been established on his memory.

Entry gate of the grave

 

Grave of hazrat shah mokhdum Ruposh (Rh.)

Shrine of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum in Rajshahi is situated beside the famous River Padma and in the area called Durgah Para. Durgah literally means a shrine and refers to the famous shrine of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum Ruposh. There are many stories that are related by the locals about the famous preacher. According to the legends, he came to Rajshahi via river Padma by riding on two crocodiles. It should be noted that there is a large pond next to the shrine where some crocodiles have been kept on the memory of the preacher.

 One of crocodile Grave,By which Hazrat Shah Mokhdum Ruposh  (Rh.) came to Rajshahi via river
Padma

 Crocodile child grave

Introduction:
hazrot Shah mokhdum ruposh (Rh.)

Bith    Hazrat Sayod Abdul Kader Zillani (Rh.)'s own Grandson and Hazrat sayod Azalla Shah (Rh.)'s son.Birth place: Bagdad Iraq 2nd Rojob 615 Hijre 1215 A.D

War:   From1287-1326 year there wewe three war 1st,2nd and 3rd wars against ancient Rajshahi mahakal gor's king deuraj. After long time of 39 years Mahakalgor achived a victory.

Deth:   He became died in 731 Hojri, 1331 A.D

Hafizia Madrasha

 

Mosque 

Short description:    in Dorgah area there has a Hafezia Madrasha in left of Dargah gate and  a office of Dorgah state right romDargah gate ,a mosque in the south , east-south ther is a pond , in the west a hujrah(room) of Hazrat shah mokhdum ruposh (Rh.) , beside this room a stone in a room people said that there had been giving sacrifice people since that time. There also a KOWME MADRASHA NAMED BY HAZRAT SHAH MOKHDUM RUPOSH (RH.)

Dargah pond

Hujrah of Hazrat Shah Mokhdum (Rh.)

Sacrifice place

Entering the grave room of Shah mokhdum (Rh.) there is a grave of crocodile child.This was the crocodiles by which Shah Mokhdum (Rh.) came to Rajshahi via river Padma.The main Place of Dargah the place where the grave of Shah Mokhdum (Rh.) situated in a room. There is also a crocodile grave beside his grave.There is different management to visite both men and women.

Shah mokhdum (Rh.) Kowme madrasha

Entry gate of hazrat shah Mokhdum ruposh (Rh.) grave

Real story: mainly the first person is hazrat Turkan Shah (Rh.)who spreaded islam in rajshahi.He came to spread islam but a last became martyred with all his companions by the king of Mahagkam . to take revenge of Hazrat Shah Turkan Shah (Rh.)'s deth and to speard islamrajshahi Hazrat Shah mokhdum Ruposh (Rh.) came to rajshahi.

Shrin of Hazrat Turkan Shah (Rh.)

shrin of hazrat turkan shah (Rh.)

 

Some necessary thing of Hazrat Shah mokhdum (Rh.)

The visitors can go for a day trip and visit the shrine built next to the grave of the preacher. It is regarded as one of the ancient sites of the Rajshahi region and a popular attraction of the country.

BAGHA MOSQUE

Bagha mosque
RAJSHAHI

The Bagha Mosque  is situated at Bagha Subdistrict, 25 miles southeast of Rajshahi  in Bangladesh. It was established in 1523 by Nashrat Shah, an independent Sultan of Bengal. The mosque is depicted on the 50 Taka note of Bangladesh.

 The mosque is depicted on the 50 Taka note of Bangladesh.

The mosque was built on the western bank of a fairly large tank within a brick-walled compound, 48.77m square. The mosque compound could be entered by two old arched gateways - one on the north and the main one on the south comprising a simple oblong curved structure with a turret on either side. This brick-built mosque, now a protected monument of the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh, is an oblong structure measuring externally about 23.16m by 12.80m.

The four exterior angles of the building are emphasised with octagonal towers, divided into sections by moulded bands and topped over with polygonal solid cupolas. The cornice of the building is gently curved in the Bengali fashion.

There are five arched openings in the east and two on either of the south and north sides. Inside the mosque there are three mihrabs at the western end of the three southern bays, a panelled design in the fourth and a smaller mihrab in the raised gallery in the northwestern corner. The interior of the mosque is divided into two longitudinal aisles and five bays by a row of four stone pillars. The mosque has therefore ten independent square divisions, each being covered by an inverted cup-shaped dome. The Department of Archaeology has reconstructed the present domed roof, as the original roof had collapsed in the earthquake of 1897. The domes are carried on intersecting arches springing from stone pillars and engaged stone pilasters. It is important to note that the stone blocks in the form of a lintel at the springing point of the doorway arches run all round the building, which gives the mosque a two-storied appearance from outside.

The mosque is noteworthy for its exquisite terracotta ornamentation. Although much of the ornamentation has already disappeared, quite a bit still exists both in the interior and exterior of the building. All the archways and mihrabs are set within decorated rectangular frames, while the spaces around the mihrabs and archways are enriched with highly ornate rectangular panels, one above the other. One such panel in the eastern facade is encircled by a frame of tendrils and contains an exuberant engrailed and floreate arch. From the apex of this arch hangs a conventionalised chain motif, which ultimately evolves into a fantastic grape-cluster.

The mihrabs consist of deep recesses and are faced with beautiful engrailed arches carried on decorated faceted pillars. The deep recesses are divided by raised mouldings into rows of rectangular small panels, each embellished with cusped arches containing varieties of designs. The spandrels of the mihrab arches are enriched with flower vases, out of which rise vine-like scrolls and leaves intertwining boldly projected rosettes. The whole composition is enclosed within a rectangular frame filled with a series of decorated rectangular panels. A window grill of the building is marked with a fine design of intersecting circles and diagonals. The faceted corner towers are also enriched with varieties of terracotta designs.

It is interesting to note that the additional prayer chamber created by means of a raised platform in the north-west corner within the building appears to have been an exclusive gallery for the governor who ruled the area as a nominee of the reigning sultan. This sort of special prayer chamber, noticed in some other Bengal mosques, appears to have been meant as a substitute of maqsura - a feature introduced in the mosque architecture of early Islam for the safety of the caliphs. This particular feature of the Bagha mosque has given it the status of a Jami mosque.

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