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| {{Short description|Historical and architectural monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh}} | |||
| The '''Bara Katra''' is a historical and architectural monument located in the city of ], ]. It is a palatial building dating to the reign of the ] in the ] region. It is situated to the south of Chawk Bazar close to the north bank of the river ]. | |||
| {{Infobox monument | |||
| | name = Bara Katra | |||
| | native_name = বড় কাটরা | |||
| | image = Boro Katra 4 by Ashif Siddique.jpg | |||
| | caption = Ruins of Bara Katra in 2008 | |||
| | location = Dhaka | |||
| | designer = | |||
| | type = Mughal building | |||
| | material = Brick | |||
| | length = | |||
| | width = | |||
| | height = | |||
| | begin = 1644 | |||
| | complete = 1646 | |||
| | open = | |||
| | restore = | |||
| | dismantled = | |||
| | dedicated_to = | |||
| | map_image = | |||
| | map_text = | |||
| | map_width = | |||
| | relief = | |||
| | coordinates = | |||
| | website = | |||
| | extra = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{EngvarB|date=March 2017}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} | |||
| '''Bara Katra''' ({{langx|bn|বড় কাটরা}}; {{lit|Great ]}}) is one of the oldest historical and architectural monuments in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/bangladesh/dhaka/attractions/bara-katra/a/poi-sig/1431662/355783 |title=Bara Katra |website=Lonely Planet |access-date=25 September 2017}}</ref> The word Katra may have originated from ] word Katara which means colonnaded building. 'Katra/ katara' in Arabic and Persian means 'Caravan (Karwan) Sarai' or simply a 'Sarai'. It is a palatial building dating to the reign of the ] in the ] region. It is situated to the south of ] close to the north bank of the river ]. It was partially demolished in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title=Even the law can't protect Dhaka's heritage! |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/even-the-law-cant-protect-dhakas-heritage-3118366 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alam |first=Helemul |date=2022-09-12 |title=Empty promises, demolished heritage |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/empty-promises-demolished-heritage-3117221 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| {{multiple image | |||
| The Bara Katra was built between 1644 and 1646 CE to be the official residence of Mughal prince ], who was the second son of emperor ]. The prince endowed it to his '']'' and the builder of the serai, Abul Qasim. According to an inscription composed by Mughal poet ]: | |||
| | width = | |||
| | footer = | |||
| | image1 = Charles_D%27Oyly04.jpg | |||
| | alt1 = | |||
| | caption1 = 1823 etching of Bara Katra by ] | |||
| | image2 = 1870 Photograph of Bara Katra.jpg | |||
| | alt2 = | |||
| | caption2 = 1870 photograph of Bara Katra | |||
| | alt3 = | |||
| | image3 = Boro Katra.jpg | |||
| | caption3 = 1975 view of Bara Katra from the south | |||
| }} | |||
| Bara Katra was built between 1644 and 1646 AD by Mir Abul Qasim, the '']'' (chief revenue official)<ref name="Asher1984">{{cite book |last=Asher |first=Catherine B. |year=1984 |title=The Islamic Heritage of Bengal |url=https://archive.org/details/islamicheritageo0000unse/page/55 |series=Protection of the Cultural Heritage: Research Papers |volume=1 |publisher=Unesco |page= |isbn=92-3-102174-5 |url-access=registration }}</ref> of Mughal prince ]. It was intended to be Shah Shuja's residence, but Shah Shuja endowed it to Mir Abul Qasem.<ref name="Ahmed1980">{{cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Nazimuddin |year=1980 |title=Islamic Heritage of Bangladesh |location=Dacca |publisher=Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |pages=50–51 |oclc=8476199}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| Less than half of the structure remains, and it is in disrepair. The ] has been unable to take charge of the monument owing to litigation and resistance from its owners. The owners have altered the original building and encroached upon it with new construction.<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book |last=Begum |first=Ayesha |year=2012 |chapter=Bara Katra |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Bara_Katra |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| ==Structure== | |||
| Originally, the Katra enclosed a quadrangular courtyard with 22 rooms on all of its four sides. Two gateways were erected, one each on the north and south. The ruins consist of an edifice having a river frontage. The southern wing of the structure was planned on a grand scale and was marked with an elaborate three-storeyed gate containing an octagonal central chamber. The remaining portion was two-storeyed and encased by projected octagonal towers. | |||
| ⚫ | {{Quote box|quote='''Abul Qasim al-Husaini at-Tabtaba as-Simnani built this edifice, endowing it with twenty-two shops, attached to it, on the rightful and lawful condition that the officials in charge of the endowment would expend the income derived from them upon the repairs of the building and upon the poor and that they should not take any rent from any deserving person alighting therein, so that the pious act may reflect upon the monarch in this world and that they should not act contrariwise, or else they would be called to account on the Day of Retribution.'''|source=— ''An inscription composed by Mughal poet Sa'ad-uddin Muhammad Shirazi''|align=center|width=60%|fontsize=88%|quoted=1}} | ||
| The gateway structure is lofty in height and projected towards the river. A tall alcove rising to the second storey reduces the mass of this projection. The wall surface is relieved with panels that are square as well as rectangular and that contain a variety of decorations of four-centred, cusped, horseshoe and flat arches. Above the apex of the alcove open the windows of the third storey. Under the alcove is the main arched entrance which leads to the guardroom. Passing through the two successive archways come an octagonal domed hall, the ceiling of which is plastered and bears various net-patterns and foliaged designs. The two-storeyed structure resolves on both sides of the central entrance into a row of five vaulted rooms in the ground floor and living rooms with a continuous corridor on the upper one. The three-storeyed corner towers are hollow and can be approached from the subsidiary structures. | |||
| ==Architecture== | ==Architecture== | ||
| The building follows the traditional pattern of Central Asian '']s'' and is embellished as per ]. Originally it enclosed a quadrangular courtyard.<ref name="Ahmed1980" /> | |||
| ] | |||
| The building's architecture follows the traditional pattern of the ]'s '']'' and is embellished as per ]. It originally enclosed a quadrangular courtyard surrounded by shops and was overlooked by a row of 22 living cells in each wing. Two gateways were built in the northern and southern wing. The southern wing is a two storeyed structure and extends 223' along the river. It is marked in the middle by the southern gateway -- an elaborate three storey central archway framed within a projected rectangular bay -- that provides access to the courtyard. The underside of the arched alcove of the gateway is adorned with intricate plasterwork. The wall surface around the spandrels with plastered panels in relief contain a variety of forms such as four-centred, cusped, horse shoe and flat arches. Each wing is two storeyed and the corners are marked by tall octagonal towers. | |||
| The southern wing extends {{convert|67.97|m|ft}},<ref name="Banglapedia" /> and fronted on the Buriganga River. In the middle is an entrance set in a three-storeyed projected bay.<ref name="Ahmed1980" /> The gateway has an arched alcove that rises to the second story, above which are the windows of the third storey.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> The arched main entrance is in the centre of the alcove. The underside of the alcove, ]s, and surrounding walls are decorated with plastered panels exhibiting a variety of forms, including four-centered, cusped, horseshoe, and flat arches. The main portion of the wing is two-storeyed and bookended by tall projected octagonal towers.<ref name="Ahmed1980" /> | |||
| The northern wing was similar, but with a less elaborate gate.<ref name="Asher1984" /> The east and west wings were single storey and about {{convert|70.10|m|ft}} long.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> In the 19th century, Orientalist ] described the building as "a stupendous pile of grand and beautiful architecture".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/b/019pho0000125s3u00037000.html |title=Bara Katra, south view, |website=British Library |access-date=25 September 2017}}</ref> | |||
| ==Maintenance== | |||
| The southern entrance leads to a guardroom, then an octagonal domed hall (the ceiling of which is plastered and decorated with net-patters and foliage designs), and finally to the courtyard. On the ground floor of the southern wing, there are five vaulted rooms to either side of the gateway. On the upper floor, living chambers open off of a corridor.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> Shops and living quarters surrounded the courtyard on all four sides.<ref name="Asher1984" /> | |||
| More than half of the Katra building was destroyed over time owing to neglect. The building remains in a dilapidated condition. The Bangladesh government has been unable to take charge of the monument owing to litigation and resistance from its present owners. The owners have made several alterations to the original character of the building and have also started construction of a new multi-storeyed building in the area. ] and shanty constructions envelope the palace today. | |||
| ==Cultural significance== | |||
| During the Mughal period, Dhaka was a port city. Large merchant ship could enter into the ] river. This was the major trading connection between Indonesia and Dhaka. So, it was a major hub for import and export. Bara Katra was mainly used for customs clearance and resting space for merchants and travelers. This type of Caravan Sarai which consists of so many functions and features which makes it the most unique worldwide. This increases the value of architectural and cultural heritage of Bangladesh. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *] | * ] | ||
| *] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| *] | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| *Asher, Catherine B, ''Inventory of Key Monuments. Art and Archaeology Research Papers: The Islamic Heritage of Bengal'' (], 1984: ]) | |||
| *Ahmed, Nazimuddin, ''Islamic Heritage of Bangladesh'' (], 1980: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| *Hasan, Syed Mahmudul, ''Muslim Monuments of Bangladesh'' (] |
* Hasan, Syed Mahmudul, ''Muslim Monuments of Bangladesh'' (]: ], 1980) | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| {{Commons category|position=left|Bara Katra}} | |||
| * | |||
| * | * . {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060301041707/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=7186 |date=1 March 2006 }}. | ||
| {{Dhakaplaces}} | |||
| {{Coord|23.7146|N|90.3952|E|source:wikidata-and-enwiki-cat-tree_region:BD_type:landmark|display=title}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:01, 22 October 2024
Historical and architectural monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh| বড় কাটরা | |
 Ruins of Bara Katra in 2008 | |
| Location | Dhaka |
|---|---|
| Type | Mughal building |
| Material | Brick |
| Beginning date | 1644 |
| Completion date | 1646 |
Bara Katra (Bengali: বড় কাটরা; lit. 'Great Caravanserai') is one of the oldest historical and architectural monuments in Dhaka. The word Katra may have originated from Arabic word Katara which means colonnaded building. 'Katra/ katara' in Arabic and Persian means 'Caravan (Karwan) Sarai' or simply a 'Sarai'. It is a palatial building dating to the reign of the Mughal dynasty in the Bengal region. It is situated to the south of Chowk Bazaar close to the north bank of the river Buriganga. It was partially demolished in 2022.
History
1823 etching of Bara Katra by Sir Charles D'Oyly
1870 photograph of Bara Katra
1975 view of Bara Katra from the south
Bara Katra was built between 1644 and 1646 AD by Mir Abul Qasim, the diwan (chief revenue official) of Mughal prince Shah Shuja. It was intended to be Shah Shuja's residence, but Shah Shuja endowed it to Mir Abul Qasem.
Less than half of the structure remains, and it is in disrepair. The Department of Archaeology has been unable to take charge of the monument owing to litigation and resistance from its owners. The owners have altered the original building and encroached upon it with new construction.
— An inscription composed by Mughal poet Sa'ad-uddin Muhammad ShiraziAbul Qasim al-Husaini at-Tabtaba as-Simnani built this edifice, endowing it with twenty-two shops, attached to it, on the rightful and lawful condition that the officials in charge of the endowment would expend the income derived from them upon the repairs of the building and upon the poor and that they should not take any rent from any deserving person alighting therein, so that the pious act may reflect upon the monarch in this world and that they should not act contrariwise, or else they would be called to account on the Day of Retribution.
Architecture
The building follows the traditional pattern of Central Asian caravanserais and is embellished as per Mughal architecture. Originally it enclosed a quadrangular courtyard.
The southern wing extends 67.97 metres (223.0 ft), and fronted on the Buriganga River. In the middle is an entrance set in a three-storeyed projected bay. The gateway has an arched alcove that rises to the second story, above which are the windows of the third storey. The arched main entrance is in the centre of the alcove. The underside of the alcove, spandrels, and surrounding walls are decorated with plastered panels exhibiting a variety of forms, including four-centered, cusped, horseshoe, and flat arches. The main portion of the wing is two-storeyed and bookended by tall projected octagonal towers.
The northern wing was similar, but with a less elaborate gate. The east and west wings were single storey and about 70.10 metres (230.0 ft) long. In the 19th century, Orientalist James Atkinson described the building as "a stupendous pile of grand and beautiful architecture".
The southern entrance leads to a guardroom, then an octagonal domed hall (the ceiling of which is plastered and decorated with net-patters and foliage designs), and finally to the courtyard. On the ground floor of the southern wing, there are five vaulted rooms to either side of the gateway. On the upper floor, living chambers open off of a corridor. Shops and living quarters surrounded the courtyard on all four sides.
Cultural significance
During the Mughal period, Dhaka was a port city. Large merchant ship could enter into the Buriganga river. This was the major trading connection between Indonesia and Dhaka. So, it was a major hub for import and export. Bara Katra was mainly used for customs clearance and resting space for merchants and travelers. This type of Caravan Sarai which consists of so many functions and features which makes it the most unique worldwide. This increases the value of architectural and cultural heritage of Bangladesh.
See also
References
- "Bara Katra". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- "Even the law can't protect Dhaka's heritage!". The Daily Star. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- Alam, Helemul (12 September 2022). "Empty promises, demolished heritage". The Daily Star. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ Asher, Catherine B. (1984). The Islamic Heritage of Bengal. Protection of the Cultural Heritage: Research Papers. Vol. 1. Unesco. p. 55. ISBN 92-3-102174-5.
- ^ Ahmed, Nazimuddin (1980). Islamic Heritage of Bangladesh. Dacca: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. pp. 50–51. OCLC 8476199.
- ^ Begum, Ayesha (2012). "Bara Katra". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- "Bara Katra, south view, [Dhaka]". British Library. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
Further reading
- Hasan, Syed Mahmudul, Muslim Monuments of Bangladesh (Dhaka: Islamic Foundation, 1980)
External links
- Bara Katra architecture. Archived 1 March 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
23°42′53″N 90°23′43″E / 23.7146°N 90.3952°E / 23.7146; 90.3952