The Heritage of Mughals in Bengal

Introduction
From the early history, many dynasty ruled Indian subcontinent after defeating one by another. The Muslim rule in Bengal continued for about five centuries and a half, from Bakhtyar khaljis conquest in 1204-05 to the Battle of Plassey in 1757. This period of Muslim rule is divided into two phases- Sultanate and Mughal. The Sultanate rule ending in 1576,when Sultan Daud Karrani was defeated by Mughal genenal Shan Jahan of Emperor Akbar in the battle of Rajmahal. But Bengal not conquest by Mughals at a time, Akbar made tough efforts by sending general after general, to bring the whole of Bengal under his control but Whole Bengals came under Mughals at the reign of Jahangir. With the coming of Mughals into Bengal, the country witnessed the working of new forces in administrative, social, economic and cultural life. Unlike the previous period, Bengal enjoyed independence and became a province of centralized Mughal Empire. During Mughal conquest of Bengal, the capital was in Tanda , then Rajmahal but in the reign of Jahangir , subahdar Islam khan transferred the capital into Dhaka as name as Jahangirnaghar. So, we can understand that how Bengal was important province for the Mughals. As Mughal emperor ruled Bengal for a long tenure, they developed the infrastructure of Bengal, build Mosque, tombs, forts, hammams (baths), bridges, saraikhana(Katra) and many other things. Still we can find these establishments in many areas of united Bengal. Mughal also has a strong influence in our culture also. We still follow many ritual and customs that introduced by Mughals. These all are become the heritage of Mughal.

Why I choose Mughal Heritage as my research topic

It is for sure that the social and cultural situation of Bengal in the Mughal period was somewhat different. In this period Bengal was not an independent and separate country rather the region became a province under Delhi. In the Mughal period direct communication with North India was established. Also relations grew with middle and western Asia and outside India. As a result, the people of Bengal came into direct contact with thoughts and ideas, and behaviors of people of different countries. These had profound impact on different aspects in their lives, including their dressing pattern and food habit, education, religion, art and architecture among [Link] Bengal was important place for trade and commerce from early history so it was the hub of trade and melting place of people of different culture. So we have an indigenous culture with influence of many cultures. I have an interest to learn what customs of our culture came from which foreign culture and history of the ancient structure we see in different places specially who and when it was build. Thats why when I asked to select a topic from BPH lecture; I select The Great Heritage of Mughals in Bengal as my research topic. I wonder by seeing the beauty Tajmahal, red fort,

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Agra fort and other establishment of Mughal in different media and make an effort to identify if anyone in Bengal.

Mughal Architecture
All the early Mughal Rulers were great bui1ders. With the coming of the Mughals, Indian architecture was greatly influenced by Persian styles. The Mughals constructed excellent mausoleums, mosques, forts, gardens and cities. The Mughal buildings show a uniform pattern both in structure and character. The main characteristic features of Mughal architecture are the bulbous domes, the slender minarets with cupolas at the four corners, large halls, massive vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation.

Mughal Heritage in Bengal

I stated earlier that Mughal emperor ruled Bengal for many years so they have contributed in different aspect of society. There are many structure of mughal still available throughout the Bengal. Some are preserved with historical importance some are still remain ignorant. We can divide the remaining Mughal Heritage in Bengal in two subdivisionsStructural Heritage Cultural Heritage Structural Heritage of Mughal in Bengal: By structural Heritage I mean that the landmark, mosque, building, monument and other establishment like saraikhana, eidgah, tombs, forts, hammams (baths), bridges that are build in Mughal period and still exist in Bengal. Although during their rule nothing was built in Bengal that can be compared to the grandeur of monuments built in Delhi, Agra or Fatehpur Sikri. But the Mughals did create an architectural tradition in Bengal that suited the local taste and needs. From the thousands of establishment covered few of landmarks in Bengal that represent Mughals sovereignty and culture in Bengal.

Mosque: the Mughal are very well known for establishing mosque. During the mughal period,
they set up lots of mosque all over the subcontinent including Bengal. The Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in the Agra Fort and The Jama Masjid at Delhi are model of mughal mosque. In Bengal Saat Ghambuj(seven dome) Mosque Dhaka,Khutub Shahi mosque at kishorganj, Chaukbazar mosque, Babubazar mosque, Lalbagh mosque, Bibir Majid are the remaining archaeological heritage of Mughals in Bengal. According to the Archeologists of Bangladesh the Saat Ghambuj Masjid was made by Shaista Khan. He was a Subadhar and army general of Mughal Empire in Bengal from 1664 to 1688.

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This mosque is also looked like the other mosque of Mughal period with large dome and massive gateway. Shahi Mosque is situated in the Austogram(Town) on the bank of the Gorautra in the district of Kishorgonj, is one of the best conserved monuments in Bangladesh. Kutub Shahi Mosque is a five doomed mosque which represents Mughal tradition in Bangladesh. This Mosque was named after Kutub Shah, one of the prominent saints of Kishorgonj region. The graveyard of this great pious man is adjacent to the Mosque. Another archaelogical heritage of Mughal era is the The Tomb of Dara Begum, built on the east bank of a huge pond nearly three acres in size in what is now Lalmatia Bibir Majid to the locals. Traditionally the tomb is ascribed either to a daughter of Shaista Khan or to the wife of a Subahdar before him.

Saat Ghambuj Mosque

Shahi Mosque

Tomb of Dara Begum

Fort: Many forts were built in the time of Mughal as they divided subcontinent in many
provinces (shuba). Each of the provinces was controlled by subhedar under central Mughal administration. The fort was the residence of the subhedar. The general characteristics of the forts are almost the same high rampart walls, iwan shaped gateways with machicoulis and oriel windows. The most important ones are the remnants of some forts in Bengal such as the LALBAGH FORT (1678), IDRAKPUR FORT (1660), SONAKANDA FORT. Lalbagh Fort was built in 1678 A.D. by Prince Mohammad Azam, son of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh are the tomb of Pari Bibi, Lalbagh Mosque, Audience Hall and Hammam of Nawab Shaista Khan. It is one of the most beautiful heritage which is conserved by the govt. The Hammam of Nawab Shaista Khan now housing a museum. Idrakpur Fort is situated at Munshiganj proper, on the west bank of the canal running through the town, and in the eastern vicinity of Deobogh village. This water fort was built on the bank of the river Ichhamati, probably by the Mughal Subahdar MIR JUMLA in about 1660 AD. It was intended to counter the advances of PORTUGUESE raiders by water. The surroundings of the fort

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are now filled with earth and in some places the silt has risen up to the level of the parapet. It also represents the great architecture of Mughals.

LalBagh Fort

Idrakpur Fort

Saraikhana: Saraikhana or Katra is another unique identity of Mughal heritage. It is the palace
which built to take rest in journey from one province to another. As Bengal was the commercial and trading hub, people from different place visit here, thats why so many saraikhana in many places was built by mughals. In a Katra there was arrangement of sleeping rooms, kitchen, dining space, lavatories, mosque and even a hospital for the passersby. Two Katras built at Dhaka by the Mughals deserve special mention- the Bara Katra and the Chhota Katra. These two are among the important architectures of the Mughals at Dhaka. Bara Katra is situated to the south of the Chawk Bazar and is located just on the Buriganga. The Bara Katra contains two inscriptions in Persian: one records that it was built in 1053 AH (164344 AD) and the other contains the date 1055 AH (1645-46 AD) and confirms that SHAH SHUJA gave the building to Mir Abul Qasim to be used as a Katra on the condition that the officials in charge should not take any rent from any deserving person. Chhota Katra is situated about 200 yards east of the Bara Katra at Hakim Habibur Rahman lane. Slightly smaller than the Bara Katra, it is similar in plan and was built almost for the same purpose. The Chhota Katra is built by SHAISTA KHAN in about 1664 AD. Mir Jumla gate,nowadays known as Ramna gate is also an important remaining artifact of Mughal period in Bengal .Mir jumla was subhedar of mughal [Link] gate was probably meant to guard the city from the north.

Bara Katra

Eidghah,Dhanmondi

Mir Jumla gate

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Eidgah is another significant mughal heritage in Bengal. In Dhaka, Historical Eidgah at Sat
Masjid Road, Dhanmondi was constructed by Mir Abul Qasim, Dewan by the order of Prince Shah Shuja, Mughal viceroy of Bengal, second son of Emperor Shahjahan. A Persian inscription records the date of its erection in 1640 AD. This oldest Mughal monument still draws a large number of visitors because of its architectural beauty. The Mughal Subehdars and Diwans living in this land used to come to the Eidgah for Eid prayers twice a year. People still gather at the place in congregation for prayers on Eid day. Cultural Heritage: By the cultural heritage I mean the customs, ritual, food habit and culture of Mughal inherent in our culture and still remain. Here I tried to figure out the cultural aspects of Mughal that are still dominant in our society.

Dress: Mughal dress culture influence the people of Bengal and other part of subcontinent. The
sherwani, we wear today that come from Muhals. The woman wears 'salwar' and 'kamiz', ornamented and pearl-studded glittering are derived from Mughals still remains as part of our culture. Food Habit: In Bengal, people use different types of spices in the food. It is an influence of Mughals in our food habit. 'Kabab' 'Rezala', 'Korma', Biriyani, Parata are food that added into our food menu from the Mughal beside the usual fish, rice and vegetables. Communal Harmony: Bengali people very know for their communal harmony and hospitality. These things are the reflection of Mughal cuture. Mughal period is considered to be the best rulling period for good administration, development and peace in this region. In the Mughal Age all people could follow their respective religions independently. They were liberal in religious matters. The people of Bengal became familiar with the Shiate customs and ceremonies throughthe Mughal as some of the subhedar was the follower of Shiate. The different ceremonies of Muslim like the holy 'Muharram' became popular from that time.

Remarks
By studying the establishments of Mughal period, it is clear that Mughal architecture is one of the world best architecture as many of the Mughal establishments like Taj mahal, Agra fort, Lahore fort, Lalbag fort, Delhi Jame mosque are renowned as world heritage by UNESCO. More over Taj Mahal is one of worlds seven wonders. All the establishments of Mughal represent the economic prosperity in that time. Although there are few artifacts of Bengal in Bengal compare to the central and north Indian side, but these are not preserved properly. Many of the edifices built during the Mughal period are disfigured by renovations and extensions in the name of development. In Bangladesh, only

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Lalbagh fort is conserved accordingly under the patronage of UNESCO. Idrakpur Fort and many mosque of Mughal period still remain unexposed and unpreserved. Many of these are now in the way to demolish. If necessary steps not taken immediately, it will take place only in the page of history book. In our culture, we still carry the Mughal heritage. The dress sense (sherwani, salwar, kamiz), spicy food menu and the communal harmony of Bengali culture are derived from Mughal culture.

References

A F Salahuddin Ahmed, Bazlul Mobin Chowdury ed. Bangladesh national culture and heritage Ramesh Chandra Majumdar- Bahgladesher Ithihas Dr. Enamul Haque (chairmanr, International Centre for Study of Bengal Art) ed. Mughal Mouments of Bangladesh Banglapedia

 

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