Lattan Mosque
| Lottan Masjid | |
|---|---|
লোটন মসজিদ | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam (former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque (former) |
| Status | Inactive (as a mosque) |
| Location | |
| Location | Gour Road, Gour, Malda, West Bengal |
| Country | India |
  Location of the former mosque in West Bengal | |
| Administration | Archaeological Survey of India |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°52′58″N 88°07′41″E / 24.8829°N 88.1280°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | Bengal Sultanate |
| Date established | 15th-16th century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 21.95 m (72.0 ft) |
| Width | 15.54 m (51.0 ft) |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Materials | Brick |
| Official name | Lottan Masjid |
| Reference no. | N-WB-92 |
The Lattan Mosque (Bengali: লোটন মসজিদ) or Painted Mosque, officially known as Lottan Masjid[1] is a historical mosque located between the Tantipara Mosque and the Bridge of Five Arches in Gaur, Malda District, West Bengal. Built during the reign of Hussain Shahi sultans, the mosque stands out as one of the best preserved monuments in ancient city of Gaur.[2]
History
[edit]The mosque is stylistically dated to the late 15th or early 16th century and is thought to have been constructed during the Husain Shahi period.[2] An inscription found in the vicinity indicates it may have been built by Sultan Shamsuddin Yusuf Shah (r. 1474–1481), among the last of the Ilyas Shahi rulers of Bengal, in 1475. However, the exact date of the mosque's construction is not definitively known. Historian Alexander Cunningham describes the inscription of the Chamkatti Mosque instead.[3]
According to local tradition, Yusuf Shah married a Hindu dancer called Mira (or Mirabai) who had embraced Islam and taken the name Lotan Bibi.[4] In her name, Yusuf Shah established the Lotan Taluq (administrative subdivision) which contains the Lattan Mosque and Lotan Dighi, and that taluq existed even until the British period.[5]
Architecture
[edit]The structure is entirely constructed from brick. It comprises a square prayer chamber measuring 10.36 m (34.0 ft) on each side, adjoined by a verandah measuring 10.36 by 3.35 m (34.0 by 11.0 ft). Together, they form a rectangular platform extending 21.95 m (72.0 ft) from east to west and 15.54 m (51.0 ft) from north to south. Access to the prayer chamber is provided through three arched openings on each side, except the qibla side. The qibla wall features three semi-circular mihrab niches, recessed internally and aligned to correspond with the three eastern entrances.[2]
Gallery
[edit]-
Full view of the monument -
Front view -
Side view -
Back view -
Entrance path to the mosque -
Corner pillars of Lattan Mosque -
Intricate carvings on the wall -
Decorated wall surface -
Wall architecture -
Floral designs on the corner pillar -
Works on pillar
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments - West Bengal". Archeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ a b c Bari, MA (2012). "Lattan Mosque". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Ahemd, Sultan (2012). "Chamkatti Mosque". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Sarkar, Jagadish Narayan (1985). Hindu-Muslim Relations in Bengal: Medieval Period. Idarah-i Adabiyat-i-Delli. p. 53.
- ^ Mondal, Sushila (1970). History of Bengal: The middle age, 1200–1526. Prakash Mandir.
External links
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