PANDUA

Fakhr ad-Din, who established a new independent government, the Ilyas Shah Dynasty, in Bengal and constructed a new capital in 1338 then transferred the capital from Gaur to Pandua. Muslims called this new capital Firozabad. This transfer of the capital can be traced by roads of 4 metres in width, paved by bricks and stone materials from Hindu temples in Gaur. Under the same dynasty, huge Adina Masjid was built as a Jama Masjid. However, the Ilyas Shah Dynasty moved its capital to Gaur again in 1420 and Pandua became one of local cities of East Bengal. (Naoko Fukami) 　1.EKLAKHI TOMB (c.1431) 　2.ADINA MASJID (1364-74) 　3.QUTB SHAHI MASJID (1582)

1.EKLAKHI TOMB

It is considered to be a tomb for sultan Jalal ad-Din (d. 1431), son of a Hindu king, Raja Ghanesh, who converted to Islam. This brick tomb with a magnificent dome is very similar to Chika Masjid, which still exists in Gaur. It is situated near Qutb Shahid Masjid and dargah of Nur Qutb Alam. By the outside walls, niches and statues and delicate patterns on pillars at the four corners, it is assumed that it was built by Hindu masons. Inside the tomb is octagon-shaped with each side having arches. There still exist three mausoleums of the king, his wife and child. (Matsuo Ara) 　→Plan and photos of each part

▲Viewing from the southeast

2.ADINA MASJID

It is considered to be a tomb for sultan Jalal ad-Din (d. 1431), son of a Hindu king, Raja Ghanesh, who converted to Islam. This brick tomb with a magnificent dome is very similar to Chika Masjid, which still exists in Gaur. It is situated near Qutb Shahid Masjid and dargah of Nur Qutb Alam. By the outside walls, niches and statues and delicate patterns on pillars at the four corners, it is assumed that it was built by Hindu masons. Inside the tomb is octagon-shaped with each side having arches. There still exist three mausoleums of the king, his wife and child. (Matsuo Ara) 　→Detailed Explanation 　→Plan and photos of each part

▲Viewing the iwan from the courtyard

3.QUTB SHAHI MASJID

This mosque was built in 1582 by Makhdum Shaikh, a descendant of a Sufi saint, Nur Qutb Alam who was influential in the early 15th century. This is evidenced by an inscription remaining on an arch of the central entrance. Thus the name of this mosque also came from this Sufi saint. Inside of the mosque is separated into two corridors by pillars. The ceiling with 10 domes that corresponding to 5 entrances has collapsed. However, 5 mihrabs and the qibla wall at the west side still remain. Also, minbar, which structure is similar to that of Adina Masjid, exists. At the east side of the mosque, majestic darwaza, with back side being collapsed, remains. (Matsuo Ara) 　→Plan and photos of each part

▲ The exterior viewed from the east

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