ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
TARA MOSQUE
A STUDY ON MUGHAL MOSQUE
A M MUYEED KHAN
ID-1230493010,
CELL NO. +8801764376971
Email- muyeedkhan69@gmail.com
Abstract
Heritage connects to the communities past, and ensures the continuity into future. They are product of many
generations; created and carried through shared experiences. Dhaka is known as the city of mosques. In
this city full of numerous noteworthy mosques, the Star mosque (Tara masjid) stands out as a glistening
jewel in the Armanitola area of the older part of Dhaka. It is known that the mosque was erected by the son
of a prominent landowner (zaminder), Mirza Golam Pir who died in 1860. Therefore, it is generally agreed
that the beautiful Star Mosque, which at that time was known as Mosque of Mirza Shaheb, was built in the
first half of the 19th century. This study is about the unique style that is used in the construction of this
mosque. Also showing the general style that was being followed during the Mughal era. The mosque is now
commissioned under a local committee for its conservation and heritage value and also gets a small funding
from the government.
Keywords: mosque; Tara mosque; Star mosque; Mughal; old Dhaka; Bengal heritage;
Armanitola
INTRODUCTION
Star Mosque (also known as Tara Masjid), is a mosque located in Armanitola area, Dhaka,
Bangladesh. The mosque has ornate designs and is decorated with motifs of blue stars. It was built
in the first half of the 19th century by Mirza Golam Pir. It is one of the earliest mosques of the British
colonial period in the city. The Mughal style three domed mosque was built by Mirza Ghulam Pir,
dating back almost two centuries to 1819 A.D. The heritage mosque is one of the oldest surviving
mosques in Old Dhaka. In its original use for the entire period, it has been the main mosque of
Armanitola neighbourhood for two centuries. The Star Mosque is deemed to be the finest surviving
example of mosque architecture from the colonial period.
Background and significance
It is considered one of the best examples of the chini-tikri work. The main feature of the mosque
is the fine chini-tikri work of broken white porcelain pieces patterned by thousands of striking star
shaped blue porcelain pieces on the domes that give the mosque its name. Some of the finest
quality imported Japanese and English china porcelain pieces were used. The mosque also has
some of the finest examples of early 20th century tiles in the interior. There is chini-tikri work of
other decorative patterns on the interior.
Intangible elements and cultural events
The chini-tikri craft is the most important intangible element of the heritage mosque and the
neighbourhood. The continuity and authenticity of the heritage are directly related to the continuity
of the craft. The first generation of chini-tikri craftsmen came about a hundred years back, mostly
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
1
ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
in the 1920s, during the time of Ali Jan Bepari, an influential businessman of the neighbourhood.
They came from different parts of Pakistan, which was then part of undivided India.
The chini-tikri craft is carried on through generations with a system of apprenticeship. Normally,
when chini-tikri work is not available (as it is not done commonly), the craftsmen do common
masonry work to survive. The second and third generation (apprentices of the first generation) of
craftsmen worked on the extension of 1987. The community bodies have ensured the continuity of
the craft by engaging them in community and private buildings.
The Star Mosque compound is one of the main social gathering places in Old Dhaka and the focal
point of the Armanitola Muslim community. One of the most recognized landmarks of Old Dhaka
and Bangladesh, it was printed on the 100-taka bill in the 1980s.
The mosque has been the centre of several historically significant incidents of Armanitola.387 The
Mosque is directly related to several important religious events, like the Ramadan, the Eid ul Fitar,
Eid ul Azha and the Muharram festival of the Arabic calendar. During these religious events, the
mosque compound is used for the larger congregations and fairs. During the Eid ul Azha, the
mosque committee organizes a temporary bazaar near the mosque for animals to be sacrificed for
the Eid.
Informal heritage management activities
The Star Mosque is one of the best preserved heritage mosque of Old Dhaka. The mosque has
been owned by the community for nearly two centuries. Until recently, there has been no
government intervention. The Star Mosque is now officially protected by the Department of
Archaeology, but in a limited capacity. Practically the mosque is still managed by the informal
community body Star mosque committee along with occasion help from the Armanitola Panchayat.
Both Armanitola Panchayat and the Star mosque committee have several common members. The
members are generally selected yearly from a pool of candidates who are respected and influential
senior members of the local community.
The mosque committee members informed that two government officials represent the Department
of Archaeology and attend important meetings, where decisions about the restoration of the
mosque are taken. Only in matters of significant restorations or maintenance, the Department of
Archaeology’s permission is required. Other than that, for day to day management, the community
bodies have the authority. Important decisions are taken in regular meetings after Jumma (Friday)
prayers, where community members also attend.
Renovations and political influence
As chini-tikri work is relatively durable, lesser repair work is required than painting. Regular surveys
and repair work are done during the Arabic month of Ramadan, before the two Eid festivals. Along
with regular maintenance, two major restorations were done in 1926 and 1987. In 1926, Ali Jan
Bepari, an influential businessman of the neighbourhood, solely financed the renovation of the
mosque. A veranda was added to east and the exterior was redecorated with chini-tikri works with
beautiful tiles in the interior, following the decorative style that was popular during the early 20 th
century.
A politically motivated initiative to increase the capacity of the older mosques of Dhaka led to an
expansion project of the Star Mosque in 1987 undertaken by the Government’s Department of
Architecture. During the expansion, two new domes were added to the north of the original three
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
2
ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
domed mosque. Even though the extended part blends with the original part in exterior with the
original chini-tikri work carefully imitated, the distorted proportion of the extra domes has been
criticized by the experts. The space has increased, but the new chini-tikri work at the interior is not
consistent with the beautiful older tiles; as the expansion had to be finished within a short period
due to political pressure.
Present condition of mosque’s facade
The old tiles (about 80 years old) manufactured during the restoration undertaken by Ali Jan Bepari
are not in production anymore. It may have been possible to produce them if there was sufficient
time. As it was not possible to match the original tiles, it was decided to replicate the chini-tikri work
of other parts of the interior. This is significantly disturbing the authenticity of the mosque. The
intricate chini-tikri work takes long time and is a slow process, otherwise the quality suffers.
During the extension, the craftsmen had to hurry to finish the detail of the extended part for political
pressure to complete faster. So, the quality of the work could not be like the original at places. Also,
the original square fountain in Mughal style was harmonious and balanced with the mosque. It has
been replaced by a strange star shaped fountain during the hasty extension. To cope with the
increasing pressure of the neighbourhood population and the house the additional facilities a new
six story building was constructed in south. This has ensured that the authenticity of the mosque is
not disturbed.
Threats and challenges
There are no major threats to the mosque as it is actively used and well managed. The chini-tikri
work ensured that there is no condensation or vegetation growth on the exterior surface. The
original proportion of the heritage mosque has been disturbed by unsympathetic additions through
government intervention of the 1980s. The two extra domes were added on political decision rather
than by community demand. There is always the threat of another formal intervention which may
further damage the authenticity of the mosque. The ever increasing population has been a major
threat. Also, more financial and technical assistance is required to successfully manage the
heritage, as there is increasing number of heritage management issues to deal with today.
A senior craftsman, probably from the second generation of craftsmen that came to Dhaka, was
head of the group that did the chini-tikri work of Star mosque, Kosaituli mosque and Kamranga
mosque. He has now retired and the members of the community bodies are concerned that
craftsman of his quality is becoming increasingly rare and the number of apprentices is diminishing
due to lack of work.
CONCLUSION
Tara mosque is one of the famous and renowned mosque of old dhaka. It has a blend of mughal
architecture as well as islamic architecture. The use of the star form in the fountain mainly acts as
a landmark for this mosque. Heritage sites such as this should be conserved and preserved so that
it can be used as future references in mosque architecture.
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
3
ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
Photographs and drawings
figure 1. Front view of Tara mosque (Photography: Muyeed Khan, 2016)
figure: 2 Minarets of Tara Mosque (Photography: Muyeed Khan,2016)
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
4
ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
figure 3. Mihrab of Tara mosque (Photography: Muyeed Khan, 2016)
figure 4. Front façade of Tara mosque (Photography: Muyeed Khan, 2016)
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
5
ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
figure 5. Floor tiles pattern (Photography: Muyeed Khan, 2016)
figure 6. Inside the mosque (Photography: Muyeed Khan, 2016)
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
6
ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
figure 7. Ground floor plan (CAD drawing, 2016)
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
7
ARC 492 Independent Study | Spring 2016
REFERENCES
Book
Pundranagar to Sher-E-Bangla Nagar: by Saiful Haque , Raziull Ahsan, Kazi Khaleed Ashraf
Iftekhar Ahmed : A study of architectural heritage; management by the informal community
bodies in traditional neighborhoods of old Dhaka, 2012
Websites: http://nijhoom.com/star-mosque/
http://www.beautifulmosque.com/star-mosque-in-dhaka-bangladesh
http://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/heritage/the-spakling-star-mosque-157552
__________________________________________________
Spring 2016 | Department of Architecture
8