Loading...The Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque, or the Two-Story Mosque, is a prominent historical site in the city of Dhaka. It stands as a witness to the rich history of the city, which has long been known as the city of mosques. Despite various natural disasters and the passage of time, many mosques have disappeared, but the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque in Old Dhaka’s Lalbagh (Atashkhana) still stands tall, bearing witness to its heritage. It is locally known as the “Two-Story Mosque.”
This ancient mosque was constructed in 1706 during the reign of Nayeeb-e-Nazim Farrukhsiyar. According to historian Muntasir Mamun, the mosque was built by Khan Mohammad Mridha on the orders of Dhaka’s chief Qazi, Ibadullah. The mosque is now maintained by the Department of Archaeology of the Government of Bangladesh.
Standing at a height of 38 meters, the mosque is surrounded by walls. Upon entering the mosque compound through the main gate, you’ll find the main mosque structure on your left. The mosque has three domes, and around it, there are about 20-25 smaller minaret-like structures. The mosque is built on a platform that is about 17 feet high. Below the platform, there is a corridor with small rooms on either side, which allow for light and air to flow in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
On the northeast side of the prayer hall is a madrasa (Islamic school). Apart from the mosque and madrasa, the other areas remain open. It is believed that the madrasa was used for teaching students, while the lower rooms were used for living spaces.
The mosque is surrounded by a wall made of old red bricks. To enter the mosque, you have to pass through a small gap. The lower rooms of the two-story mosque are used as living quarters for the staff of Lalbagh Fort. The main prayer hall on the upper floor is where the worshippers perform their prayers. Above the walls of this room, there is a black stone plaque. The upper floor also contains rooms for the Imam, the attendants, and a guest room for visitors.
On the right side of the mosque is an expansive garden. The garden is adorned with Tilottama (Taro) or Hurhure flowers. There is also an abandoned well nearby. The water from this well was once used for wudu (ablution) and other purposes for the worshippers. The main entrance to the mosque is on the southern side, and you must climb a staircase to reach the mosque, as it is located on the upper floor.
How to Reach:
To visit this ancient mosque, walk for about 5 minutes from the main gate of Lalbagh Fort. You will easily find it. To make it simpler, the mosque is located about 200 yards west of Lalbagh Fort. Locals don’t usually refer to it by its full name, Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque; they simply call it the “Two-Story Mosque.”
How to Reach Lalbagh Fort:
To get to Lalbagh Fort, you can take a tempo from Gulistan Golap Shah Mazar for only 6 Taka. There are two types of tempos going towards Islambagh and Killa Mor, operating day and night. Alternatively, you can take a rickshaw directly from New Market or Gulistan to Lalbagh Fort, and the fare will be around 30-40 Taka.
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