Pandua

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Pandua
Qutub Shahi Mosque at Pandua in Malda district 01.jpg
Qutub Shahi Mosque
Pandua is located in West Bengal
Pandua
Shown within West Bengal
LocationWest Bengal, India
Coordinates25°09′08″N 88°09′53″E / 25.1523°N 88.1647°E / 25.1523; 88.1647Coordinates: 25°09′08″N 88°09′53″E / 25.1523°N 88.1647°E / 25.1523; 88.1647
TypeAncient site
History
Founded500-400 BC
Abandoned1453 AD
CulturesPala Empire, Sena dynasty, Bengal Sultanate
EventsCapital city from 1339 to 1453
Site notes
Excavation dates1930
ArchaeologistsAlexander Cunningham
Websitemalda.gov.in

Pandua is a ruined city in the Malda district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

History[edit]

In ancient times, it was known as Laksmanabati. In the course of time, it became Lakhnauti. The history of the Gauḍa (region) can be traced back to 500-400 BC. The mention of Pudanagala, found in the Brahmi script , and archaeological excavations point to its existence. The city of Pundranagara in Pundravardhana have been mentioned during the Gupta, Pala and Sena periods. During the rule of Raja Shashanka this area was ruled as a part of Gauda in the seventh century. Even after the Muslim conquest, it remained the seat of power for about three centuries. It was capital of the Bengal Sultanate from 1339 to 1453. Interestingly, while 9 kings of the Ilyas Shahi dynasty, founded by Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah in 1339, ruled over Bengal from Pandua, the only exceptions were Raja Ganesh of the Ganesha dynasty. In 1453, the capital was shifted from Pandua to Gauda city. With the shifting of the capital, largely dictated by the change of course of the Mahananda, Pandua declined.[1][2]

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton was the first person to peep into the ruins of Pandua in 1808. Alexander Cunningham, an archaeological surveyor during the British Raj, conducted a detailed study and an aerial survey in 1930. The aerial survey of 1930 also revealed the presence of the ruins of several Buddhist stupas and viharas in the area.[3]

Geography[edit]

Pandua is 20 km from Malda and 32 km from Gauda.[4] National Highway 12 (previously NH 34) runs from Dalkhola to Bakkhali. It passes through Pandua.[1][5]

Economy[edit]

Pandua was a trading centre for cotton and silk in the 18th century.[6]

Cuiture[edit]

Gauda and Pandua not only have a colourful historical past, but the architecture and beauty of many structures in what was once the capital of the Bengal Sultanate attract many tourists, apart from being a Muslim pilgrimage site. Pandua is also known as Hazrat Pandua, because many Muslim saints and preachers, like Jalaluddin Tabrizi and Nur Qutb Alam, made it their home.There are so many structures that it would take at least 3–4 days if someone were to see them all. Unfortunately, none of them are well maintained, but even the ruins remaining puts forward a vivid presentation of the glorious past. The eras of the Buddhist Pala Empire, the Hindu Sena dynasty and the Muslim Nawabs Bengal Sultanate were periods of glory for Pandua.[1]

Adina Masjid[edit]

Adina Masjid was built in 1373 by Sultan Abul Mujahid Sikandar Shah. At that time, it was the largest mosque in the sub-continent. The mosque is largely in ruins. It is one of finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. It was built in lines with the Great Mosque of Damascus, and during its construction it was the largest mosque in the sub-continent. Built of stone and bricks, the mosque is centred round a huge rectangular courtyard. The large open courtyard measures 507 feet by 285 feet, surrounded by pillared halls on all sides. Only the western section of the structure has withstood the vagaries of nature, the structures on all the other sectors have collapsed .It is believed that it had 300 domes and only 40 domes have survived. There are some Buddhist and Hindu elements in the Adina Masjid. It is obvious that carved stones of earlier eras have been used but it is difficult to specify whether they were picked up from already ruined temples or whether old temples and stupas were destroyed for building the mosque. Among the decorations is a unique hanging lamp and flower motif. Some of the intricately carved patters seem to include the swastika symbol.[7][8]

Other Structures[edit]

Other notable structures in Pandua are:[9]

  • Eklakhi Maosoleum, 2 km to the south of Adina Mosque
  • The Qutub Shahi Mosque or Sona Masjid
  • Salami Darwaja, Badi Dargah and Chhoti Dargah. The Darwaja was the gateway to the Dargas of Sheikh Shah Jalaluddin Tabrizi, a Sufi saint.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Gaur-Pandua". India Unveiled. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "History of Gour Malda". Offbeat and Untold. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "Pandua". Md Akhtaruzzaman. Banglapaedia. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Malda Gaur & Pandua". Club Side. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways" (PDF). New Delhi: Department of Road Transport and Highways. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Pandua". Britannica. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Online Gallery". Watercolour painting by Sita Ram. British Museum. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "Adina Masjid, Pandua". Archnet. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Places to visit in Pandua". holidify. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
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