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Dakhil
Darwaza
Dakhil Darwaza, an impressive gateway built in 1425, is an important
Muslim monument. Made of small red bricks and terracotta work, this
dominating structure is more than 21 m. high and 34.5 m. wide. Its four
corners are topped with five-storey high towers. Once the main gateway
to a fort, it opens through the embankments surrounding it. In the
south-east corner of the fort, a 20-m. high wall encloses the ruins of
an old palace. In the past, cannons used to be fired from here. Hence
the gate also came to be known as the Salaami Darwaza.
Kadam
Rasool Mosque
Half a
kilometre away from the Feroze Minar is the Kadam Rasool Mosque. Aptly
named Kadam Rasool, which means Footprints of the Prophet, the mosque
contains the footprints of Hazrat Muhammad on stone. On the four corners
there are four towers made of black marble, with the spires on top
covered with intricate artwork. Sultan Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah built the
mosque in 1530.
Opposite the Kadam Rasool Mosque stands the 17th century tomb of Fateh
Khan, a commander of Aurangzeb's army. This interesting structure was
built in the Hindu chala style.
A short distance away is the elegant Tantipara Mosque, with its
intricate terracotta decoration.
Firoz
Minar
A kilometre away from the Dakhil Darwaza, is the Feroze Minar. It was
built by Sultan Saifuddin Feroze Shah during 1485-89. This five-storey
tower, resembling the Qutb Minar, is 26 m. high and 19 m. in
circumference. The first three storeys of the tower have twelve adjacent
faces each, and the uppermost two storeys are circular in shape. A
spiralling flight of 84 steps takes one to the top of the tower. Built
in the Tughlaqi style of architecture, the walls of Feroze Minar are
covered with intricate terracotta carvings. This landmark is also known
as the Pir-Asha-Minar or the Chiragdani.
Luko Churi
Gate
The
Lakhchhipi Darwaza or Lukochuri Gate is located to the south-east of the
Kadam Rasool Mosque. Shah Shuja is said to have built it in 1655 in the
Mughal architectural style. The name originated from the royal game of
hide-and-seek that the Sultan used to play with his begums. According to
another school of historians, it was built by Allauddin Hussein Shah in
1522. Situated on the eastern side of the royal palace, this double-storeyed
Darwaza functionally acted as the main gateway to the palace. The
innovative architectural style makes it an interesting place to visit.
Baroduari /
Boro Sona Mosque
Baroduari
mosque is half a kilometre to the south of Ramkeli. A gigantic
rectangular structure of brick and stone, this mosque is the largest
monument in Gour. Though the name means Twelve Doors, this monument
actually has eleven. The construction of this huge mosque, measuring
50.4 m. by 22.8 m., and 12 m. in height, was started by Allauddin
Hussein Shah and was completed in 1526 by his son Nasiruddin Nusrat
Shah. The Indo-Arabic style of architecture and the ornamental stone
carvings make Baroduari a special attraction for tourists.
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