Loading...Atia Mosque (Atia Masjid) is an ancient historical mosque located in the Delduar Upazila of Tangail District, Bangladesh. It is one of the most important archaeological monuments in Bangladesh. The mosque was built in the 16th century, and prayers are regularly offered here in congregation. Currently, the Archaeological Department of the Government of Bangladesh oversees the management of this structure. To make it more well-known, the image of Atia Mosque appears on one side of the 10-taka banknote printed by Bangladesh Bank.
In the 15th century, a famous Sufi preacher named Adam Shah Baba Kashmiri arrived in this region and settled here. He passed away in 1613 AD. His shrine is located in Atia. It is known that he was appointed as the zamindar (landlord) of Atia by Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah of Bengal in 1598. During that time, he received a large area of land or a mahal as a waqf (charitable endowment) from the Karrani ruler, Solaiman Karrani, to support his religious activities. It is believed that the name ‘Atia’ originated from the word ‘Ata’ (gift) from this donation.
In his old age, Shah Baba Kashmiri advised his devotee Said Khan Panni to take over the governance of Atia Pargana. In 1608, Mughal Emperor Jahangir appointed Said Khan Panni as the ruler of Atia. Said Khan Panni later became the founder of the famous Kartyar Zamindar family. Said Khan Panni constructed Atia Mosque in 1608. It is the oldest mosque in the Delduar Upazila and Tangail District. The mosque’s design blends the architectural styles of both the Sultanate and Mughal periods, and the renowned architect Muhammad Khan was involved in its planning and construction. After its construction, the mosque was renovated in 1837 by Roushan Khatun Chowdhurani and in 1909 by Abul Ahmed Khan Gajnabi.
The mosque’s dimensions, including its prayer hall and veranda, are 17.7 meters by 12 meters. The walls of the mosque are 2.22 meters wide, and the veranda measures 3.82 meters by 7.5 meters. The mosque has four large octagonal minarets at each corner, and these minarets rise high above the roof and are topped with small domes.
Bengali architecture is mainly made of bricks, as stones are not readily available in the region. As a result, the architectural features and decoration of Bengali structures developed through brick construction. Atia Mosque is no exception. However, the mosque’s design showcases several characteristics of Sultanate architecture, such as the curved cornices, dual-centered pointed arches, the use of Bengali pandantive in dome construction, and notable terracotta decorations.
The construction of the mosque’s dome reveals that the large dome over the prayer hall was built using the arch-based (squinch) method, while three smaller domes over the veranda were constructed using the Bengali pandantive method. During the renovations, the domes were made smooth with plaster, but this was not the case during the original construction. The original domes were ribbed or waved. There are also various interpretations regarding the underground tomb in the northeast corner of the mosque, which is connected by a tunnel.
Atia Mosque is a remarkable example of the fusion of both Sultanate and Mughal architectural styles. It stands as an iconic example of mosque architecture during the transition period. Among the Muslim architectural heritage in Bangladesh, Atia Mosque is a significant monument.
Among the original inscriptions found in the Tangail region, there are an Arabic and a Persian inscription at Atia Mosque. These inscriptions help clarify the time of the mosque’s construction and resolve some historical discrepancies. The mosque combines the styles of the departing Sultanate and the incoming Mughal, creating a stunning and rare example of Muslim architecture in the region.
How to Get to Atia Mosque
You can reach Atia Mosque from Tangail city by taking a CNG auto-rickshaw.
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