‘800-year-old’ Rangpur mosque in dire state due to lack of care
A tiny mosque in Rangpur city, believed to be a structure built in the period of Bakhtiyar Khalji, is losing its lustre due to lack of any initiative by the concerned department.
The structure, locally known as Bakhtiyari mosque, is in need of urgent care and restoration measures, locals say.
Locals and historians believe that the three-domed mosque located in Mahiganj area of Rangpur city dates as far back as 12th to 14th century.
However, the site is yet to be enlisted by the Department of Archaeology.
Due to a lack of maintenance over the years, the mosque is left in a dilapidated condition and is gradually heading towards ruins. Locals believe if proper action is not taken immediately, the monument will not last for much longer. They demanded immediate steps to preserve the mosque.
The structure was once so beautiful, it would not fail to grab one's attention.
The three-domed mosque is 33 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 20 feet high, according to a book written by Md Azizul Islam, a teacher at a local madrasa.
It is the second-oldest mosque in the Dinajpur and Rangpur regions, says the book.
The mosque has cupped corner towers which are octagonal in shape. Its entrance is six-feet high and three-feet wide.
The doors were once arched with polygons and the walls were plastered. There are also deep arches inside the mosque towards the west. Bricks and limestones had been used in building the structure.
Twenty people can perform prayers together at the mosque.
Azizul Islam wrote that the mosque was built between 12th and 14th century to spread Islam. Renowned preachers, including Shah Jalal Bukhari preached from the Bakhtiari mosque, according to Azizul.
Shah Jalal Bukhari's shrine is located near the mosque.
There is a local belief that the mosque was dedicated to Ikhtiyar Uddin Mohammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji. According to the belief, Bakhtiyar stopped at the riverbank in Rangpur when he was heading to Ghoraghat upazila of Dinajpur soon after his win of Bengal in 1204.
Locals believe that this small mosque was built during his ruling period. As such, it is known as Bakhtiari Mosque. If that really is the case, then the mosque will be nearly 800 years old.
During a visit, this correspondent found that the bricks and plaster of the structure have already decayed. The domes and decorative features of the corner towers were removed and was covered in overgrowth. The arch entrance had also cracked.
Locals said there used to be an inscription in the middle of the entrance on the east side of the mosque. But it is not there anymore. The plaque could have been helpful in determining its founding period.
According to the Rangpur Museum's website, the Bakhtiari Mosque is listed in the district's unreserved sites.
Writer Monalisa Rahman in her book Mahiganjer Kotha, published in 2013, wrote about the establishment of the Bakhtiari Mosque. According to many historians, she wrote, Faujdar Ebadat Khan of Ghoraghat built the mosque in the 16th century. However, no source was mentioned.
Abu Tayab, a resident of Mahiganj Satmatha area and assistant professor of Rangpur Model College, said it is a historical monument built during the reign of Ikhtiyar Uddin Mohammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji. However, its origins needed a detailed investigation. It is necessary to declare the mosque as a heritage site, he said.
SM Hasnat Bin Islam, the custodian of Tajhat Jamindar Bari in Rangpur said that he has submitted a proposal to the department of archelogy to enlist the site.
Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, the mayor of Rangpur City Corporation, said steps will be taken to renovate the historical site.
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