Delving into remnants of a bygone era

Lalbagh Fort in Old Dhaka(L), Sadi's Mosque in Egarosindhur, Kishorganj and an inside view of Lalbagh Hammam, Old Dhaka(Inset). Photo Courtesy: Mughal Monuments Of Bangladesh

The Mughals came to Bengal in 1576 ACE. Although during their rule nothing was built here that can be compared to the grandeur of monuments built in Delhi, Agra or Fatehpur Sikri, the Mughals did create an architectural tradition in Bengal that suited the local taste and needs.

Nazly Chowdhury and Babu Ahmed's book Mughal Mouments of Bangladesh is a study of architectural remnants of a period that witnessed affluence. The book has been edited by Dr Enamul Haque (chairman and academic director, International Centre for Study of Bengal Art) and published by Traditional Photo Gallery. Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd (HSBC), Bangladesh has financially sponsored the book.

The book provides a brief history of the Mughals in Bengal, along with references of the independent Sultans. Although appointed 'subadars' (governors) worked to establish a 'Mughal control', Muslim and Hindu zamindars like Isa Khan, Khwaja Uthma, Mukundram, Lakshman Manikya, Shams Khan and others remained undaunted in their respective regions.

The Mughal conquest of Bengal did not occur at once. It took almost three quarters of a century to be accomplished, starting as far back as 1537 and continuing until 1612. History records the arrival of Prince Shahjahan in Bengal in 1622, after rebelling against his father Emperor Jahangir in Deccan, mainly because his hopes of a peaceful succession were crushed by the manipulative plots of his ambitious step-mother Noorjahan. Shahjahan occupied the throne of Agra in 1628, after the death of his father.

The book comprises six chapters that discuss mosques, tombs, forts, hammams (baths), bridges and other structures funded and constructed by the Mughal governors.

During the Mughal period, fortified palaces, monumental mausoleums and chahar-bagh (Persian garden design) with canals were very popular. Three-domed mosques over high terrace, elongated minarets, shouldered domes, engrailed arches and use of parapet became fashionable. The monuments of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri became prototype for all the provinces of Mughal Empire.

In Bengal, the existing terracotta ornamentation and curvature of the cornice were replaced by straight parapet and panelled decoration on arches. Corner towers were raised above the cornice, while domes were heightened by octagonal drums, and arch openings were in-set under half-domes.

Many of the edifices built during the Mughal period are disfigured by renovations and extensions. The book contains photographs and descriptions of 54 structures that still remain in their original forms more or less and can be of much help to history and architecture enthusiasts.

Proceeds from the sales will directly benefit local charitable initiatives by HSBC that include providing education for underprivileged children, supporting the differently-abled, promoting and celebrating Bengali culture and preserving the environment.