Nayabad Masjid, Dinajpur, Rangpur

Nayabad Masjid

Nayabad masjid (নয়াবাদ মসজিদ) a 18th century brick mosque, situated in the village of Nayabad, Ramchandrapur Union, Kaharole sub-district, about 27 km  south-west of Dinajpur town across the Dhepa river. It's only 1.5 km away from the historical Kantajiu Temple. Those who are visiting Kantajiu Temple must see this place because there is a historical connection between these two sites. I am not sure actually when the Nayabad Masjid was constructed. I get two opinion about it. 


First opinion said: It was constructed during the Maharaja Ramnath period 1722 -1763 A.D. After the completion of the Kantajiu Temple, the Muslim architects those came from the west (maybe Persia) and the laborers had settled in Nayabad village near the temple. They took permission from the Maharaja Ramnath and build this Masjid. Generous Raja Ramnath helped them to construct the Masjid. 

Second opinion: According to a writing found on the main doorway, it was constructed at 1793 AD in the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II (1759 - 1806 AD). But that time Dinajpur was under British rule and there were lots of ups and downs happened in the selection of zamindar by the British.

I think the first opinion is stronger than the second.

Nayabad Masjid

Arched Shape Entrance

Description of the Masjid

It is a rectangle three dome mosque with octagonal towers (minar) at the four corners. The octagonal minars are 12.45 meter by 5.5 meter. This masjid is situated over 1.5 bigha land. There are 3 hemispherical domes cover the masjid. Among them the central one is bigger than the side ones. Same way there are three arched shape entrances to enter the mosque, of which the central one is bigger than the side ones. The central arch is 1.95 m high and 1.15 m wide. There are an arched window on the south and north sides. The wall is about 1.10 meter thick. Inside in the western wall there are 3 mihrabs along with the 3 doors. The central mihrab is bigger (length 230 meter and wide 1.08 meter) than the side ones. 

As like Kantaji Temple this Masjid also decorated with terracotta arts. But the design is different. They used terracotta of flowers on the wall. At present there are about 104 terracotta plaques exist. They are 0.4 m by 0.3 m rectangular in shape. The masjid is surrounded by a low brick wall with one access from the east.

Terracotta of Flowers

Grave of Master Architect

There is a grave of an unknown person in the area of the Masjid. People believe, this is the grave of the master architect who built both Kantanagar Temple and Nayabad Masjid Kalu Khan. In the board there is only written "Grave". 

About Our Tour
Actually this was the same tour when we visited Bogra, Rangpur and Dinajpur. June, 2010 from 14 to 16 I had traveled all this places with BTCL officers. We had started from Dhaka at 14th June, reached Dinajpur on the same date. Next day 15th June we visited Kantanagar Temple, Nayabad Masjid, Ramsagar, Dinajpur Rajbari.

Short history of the Raja and Maharajas of Dinajpur

Raja Sukdev Roy: 1642 - 1677 A.D.
Mughal emperor gave the title "Raja" to Sukdev Roy because he obtain a large territory in the north Bengal region. He died in 1677. Maybe the "Sukh Sagar" (Sea of Pleasure) is the only remaining left. Raja Sukdhev had two wives. Ramdev and Joydev were born by his first wife and Prannath was the son of second wife. Among 3 son Ramdev died very young.

Raja Joydev: 1677 - 1682 A.D. 
The second son Joydev became raja and ruled the kingdom for five years from 1677 A.D. to 1682 A.D. 

Maharaja Prannath: 1682 -1722 A.D.
Maharaja Prannath was a very powerful zamindar and he ruled the Dinajpur for 40 years. Rukmini was his wife and Ramnath was his adopted son. He dug a lake named "Pransagar" (Sea of life / Sea of Prannath), 18 kilometers south of Dinajpur. The most remarkable thing he did in his life was to start the magnificent Kantaji Temple. Some said he started it in 1704 AD but from the trusted source it can be assumed that he started it in his old age 1722. From 1722 to 1752 AD, in 30 years it was completed by his son Maharaja Ramnath.

Maharaja Ramnath: 1722 -1763 A.D.
Maharaja Ramanath was very powerful and honest king. He was a brave warrior and great administrator. After becoming king he gave attention to rebuilding the estate. He constructed the famous Rajbari and dug the famous Ramsagar Lake. He also built a temple at Rajarampur and gave attention to complete the unfinished Kantanagar temple. All his work make him the most memorable person of Dinajpur District. Also make the district a famous tourist place. Ramnath had four sons. Krishnanath, Roopnath, Baidyanath and Kantanath. He died in 1760 AD.

Raja Baidyanath: 1763 -1778 A.D.
When he was sited in the throne the political environment changed significantly in the sub-continent. British got the power to collect the revenues.  Maybe in 1772 an English collector was appointed as the zamindar of Dinajpur. Raja Baidyanath died in 1780 without any heir. Rani Saraswati's adopted son Radhanath become the zamindar (1792) under the British rule.

Places to see in Dinajpur 

1. Dinajpur Rajbari (দিনাজপুর রাজবাড়ী)
2. Swapnopuri Picnic Spot (স্বপ্নপুরী পিকনিক স্পট)
3. Suk Sagar Eco Park (সুখ সাগর ইকো পার্ক)
4. Ram Sagar (রাম সাগর)
5. Nayabad Mosque  (নয়াবাদ মসজিদ)
6. Surah Masjid (সুরা মসজিদ)
7. Chehelgazi Mosque and Shrine (চেহেলগাজি মসজিদ ও মাজার)
8. Rajarampur Rose Mary Church (রাজারামপুর রোজ মেরি চার্চ)
9. Sitakot Bihar (সীতাকোট বিহার)
10. Kantaji Temple (কান্তজি মন্দির)
11. Govindaswami Temple (গোবিন্দস্বামী মন্দির)
12. Birganj National Park (বীরগঞ্জ জাতীয় উদ্যান)
13. Singra National Park (সিংড়া জাতীয় উদ্যান)
14. Ghodaghat Fort (ঘোডাঘাট দুর্গ)
15. Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology  (হাজী মোহাম্মদ দানেশ বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়)
16. Deepshikha Meti School (দীপশিখা মেটি স্কুল)
16. Mohanpur Rubber Dam (মোহনপুর রাবার ড্যাম)
16. Eidgah ground (ঈদগাহ মাঠ)
19. Shalban of of Biral, Dharmapur Union (বিরলের ধর্মপুর ইউনিয়নের শালবন)
20. Hili Land Port (হিলি স্থল বন্দর)
21. Zero Point (জিরো পয়েন্ট)
22. Sheikh Russell National Park (শেখ রাসেল ন্যাশনাল পার্ক)

Related Post

Kantaji, 18th Century Brick Temple unique example of Terra Cotta architecture.

Dinajpur Rajbari, white painted large gate  called Lion Gate, inside Krisna Temple .

Ramsagar National Park, Dinajpur.

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