Bagerhat: the story of a lost city!

Bagerhat: the story of a lost city!

The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat: A Medieval Muslim Town in Bangladesh

Outline: I. Introduction A. Brief overview of the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat II. History and Significance A. Formerly known as Khalifatabad B. Flourished in the 15th century BC C. Contains some of the most significant buildings of the initial period of the development of Muslim architecture of Bengal III. Architecture A. Unique architectural style known as Khan-e-Jahan B. The density of Islamic religious monuments C. Lack of fortifications IV. Criteria A. Criterion (iv) of the World Heritage Convention B. Shait-Gumbad and Khan Jahan's tomb V. Integrity A. Preservation of original elements B. Threats to physical integrity VI. Authenticity A. Conservation and restoration actions B. Loss of original features VII. Protection and Management A. Antiquities Act, 1968 (Amendment 1976) B. Implementation of the Master plan prepared by UNESCO VIII. Challenges A. Conservation of the historic landscape, buffer zone, and the property B. South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project IX. Conclusion

Keyword: Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, medieval city, Muslim architecture, Bangladesh, UNESCO

The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat: A Medieval Muslim Town in Bangladesh

The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, located in the south-west part of Bangladesh, is an important evidence of a medieval Muslim town. The ancient city, formerly known as Khalifata bad, sprawls over the southern bank of the old river Bhairav and flourished in the 15th century BC. The magnificent city, which extended for 50 km2, contains some of the most significant buildings of the initial period of the development of Muslim architecture of Bengal.

The monuments, which have been partially disengaged from the vegetation, may be divided into two principal zones 6.5 km apart: to the West, around the mosque of Shait-Gumbad and to the East, around the mausoleum of Khan Jahan. More than 50 monuments have been catalogued: in the first group, the mosques of Singair, Bibi Begni and Clumakkola; and in the second, the mosques of Reza Kheda , Zinda pir and Rabbi joy pur.

The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat exhibits a unique architectural style, known as Khan-e-Jahan (15th Century A.D.), which is the only known example in the history of architecture. The density of Islamic religious monuments is explained by the piety of Khan Jahan, which is evidenced by the engraved inscription on his tomb. The lack of fortifications is attributable to the possibilities of retreat into the impenetrable mangrove swamps of the Sunderbans. The quality of the infrastructures - the supply and evacuation of water, the cisterns and reservoirs, the roads and bridges - all reveal a perfect mastery of the techniques of planning and a will towards spatial organization.

The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat meets the Criterion (iv) of the World Heritage Convention as it represents the vestiges of a medieval Muslim town in the northern peripheral land of the Sundarbans. It contains some of the most significant buildings of the initial period of the development of Muslim architecture in Bengal. Shait-Gumbad is one of the largest mosques and represents the flavor of the traditional orthodox mosque plan and it is the only example of its kind in the whole of Bengal. The second important monument, Khan Jahan