Historic Atia mosque about to wear away

Four century-old Atia Mosque in Delduar upazila of Tangail still remains an impressive structure. Inset, artistic terracotta decorations of the beautiful mosque are decaying due to lack of proper maintenance.Photo: STAR

Four hundred years old Atia Mosque in Delduar upazila of Tangail district shows signs of all neglect although the Department of Archaeology took its charge in 1978.
The gorgeous structure decorated with intricate terracotta patterns has become faded while the ornamental plaques on the nine-feet wide walls are wearing away as during the last three decades, there has been hardly any initiative for its protection, let alone bringing it back to the past splendour.
Marking 400 years of the mosque, a discussion was held on the premises of Shahan Shah High School yesterday.
The programme also saw publication ceremony of Atianama, a book on the historic mosque.
Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr Abdur Razzak attended as chief guest at the discussion presided over by Tangail Deputy Commissioner M Bazlul Karim Chowdhury.
Lawmaker from Tangail-6 (Nagarpur-Delduar) Khandakar Abdul Baten, Jahangirnagar University Archaeological Department teacher Prof Dr Shahnawaz, Tangail Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman, Tangail district Awami League General Secretary Fazlur Rahman Faruque, Delduar Upazila Parishad Chairman Motiar Rahman and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shibir Bichitra Barua addressed, among others.
Speakers vowed to preserve the mosque as well as other archaeological sites and structures in the district to make the future generation aware of the country's rich culture and heritage.
According to archaeology department officials and local historians, zamindar Syed Khan Panni, who received Atia Pargana as a gift from Mughal Emperor Jahangir in early 17th century, built the mosque in 1609.
Best masons and artisans of the time were employed for the purpose.
The mosque is near the shrine of Hazrat Shahan Shah, who came to Atia from Kashmir in 913 Hijri along with his 39 followers to preach Islam in the region. Their graves are also near the mosque.
The mosque was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1800. Later in 1837, Rowshan Khatoon Chowdhurani, a female merchant from Delhi, reconstructed the damaged mosque.
Abu Ahmed Guznavi Khan, the zamindar of Delduar, together with Wazed Ali Khan Panni and other zamindars of the area repaired it again in 1909.