The next blog after Gour has to be on Pandua as this is where you will find the next set of mosques. So let’s explore places to visit around Pandua, Malda.
How to Reach Pandua
Pandu is located north of Malda and takes some time to reach. Unlike Gour, this place has just two functioning Dargah and three ancient mosques. But do keep in mind that the final mosque on the list and the last stoppage will be Adina which is huge and takes time to cover.
It’s around 19 kilometers north of Malda and the best way is to book a car. The route passes through a multilane highway and thus won’t take that long. Please discuss the rates for a car covering all these locations before your journey. The driver or the agency must be clear about the number of stops. If you want to include Jagjivanpur then inform them about the distance which will be around 50 Km from Adna each way.
Ideally, start early so that you can cover Pandua and from there go to Jagjivanpur to see the ruins of a Buddhist monastery.
Short History of Pandua
Before the prominence of the Gour, it was Pandua the capital of Bengal under the Muslim rulers.
In history, we get its mention after Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah defeated Alauddin Ali Shah in 1345. Back then this place was referred to as Hazrat Pandua. Some historians suggest that Pandua was the capital even during the reign of Alauddin Ali Shah as there are coins dating back to 1342 AD stating that. Back that Pandua was also known as Firuzabad.
Capital was shifted from Pandua back to Gour by Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah (1442 – 1459). It is to be noted that Gour (Gauda) previously was the capital during the early Hindu rule of this region. One of the main reasons sighted for the shift was the shifting of the main water flow of the Ganges.
Unlike Gour where we see several mosques only a few remain here today in Pandua. Historically speaking there were also other mosques in this region but none of them could be ever seen again.
Location of all Tourist Places in Pandu on Map
Please keep this map handy and use this for navigation.
Tourist Places in Pandua
Before proceeding to Pandua from Malda, I will request you to take a short detour to Nimasarai to see the remains of an ancient Minar (tower).
Nimasarai Minar (Tower)
This tower is located at a spot where the Kalindi River meets the Mahananda River. Said to be built around the 16th century could have been a watchtower. The word Nim which in Persian would mean half and this tower is indeed almost halfway between Gour and Pandua. And the word Sarai indicates a place for resting so this could have well been a halfway resting point for travelers traveling between the two places.
There are spikes carved out of stone to look like elephant tusks and this could have very well been ornamental but word of mouth passed from one generation to another tells that severed heads of enemies would be hung from these spikes as a sign of warning.
This tower was severely damaged in a lightning strike after which it has been repaired and one with prior permission can climb up to the top from there you can get a panoramic view of the village and the river. This place is located near Malda Railway Station and after this, you need to proceed towards Pandua for the rest of the sites.
Nimasarai Minar Vlog
Bari Dargah
Note: This is an active religious place thus your attire should be appropriate
This Dargah is in memory of Hazrat Shah Jalal Tabrizi. This shrine historians believe was constructed by Sultan Alauddin Ali Shah around 1342 AD. At the moment you can see the main mosque, tombs, grand kitchen, and several other rooms around the compound.
A little further down there is another structure known as Salami Darwaza (Saluting Gate) ironically not built like any Islamic structure instead resembles a Charchala temple.
Choti Dargah
Note: This is an active religious place thus your attire should be appropriate
Very near Salami Darwaza, there is another Dargah. Hazrat Nur Qutbul Alam who died in 1415 AD was active at a time when this region was getting very volatile. Even with a majority Muslim population, two Hindu kings had ruled this region.
He was the one who had converted (Jadu) Jalaluddin Mohammad Shah the son of Raja Ganesh to Islam. This Dargah was constructed after his death.
Bari Dargah and Choti Dargah Vlog
Eklakhi Mausoleum
This is the first heritage structure (Under ASI) that we see at Pandua. Its located very near Choti Dargah. This is a single dome mausoleum built-in classic terracotta brick style. As the name suggests it took one lakh Rupees (1,00,000) to build this structure back then. The structure contains three tombs are that of Sultan Jalaluddin (Jadu), his wife, and his son (Ahmad Shah). The structure is dated to be constructed around 1412 – 1415 AD.
Qutb Shahi Masjid
This mosque is located right behind Eklakhi Mausoleum and to reach this you have to go through the back gate which will take you to Qutb Shahi Masjid.
This mosque is also known by its other name “Sona Masjid” due to the gold-gilded walls and turret crowns. Built in 1582 AD this mosque was built to honor Nur Qutub-Ul-Alam by Makhdum Shaikh.
Eklakhi Mausoleum and Qutb Shahi Masjid Vlog
Adina Masjid
This is the most famous mosque in this entire region and its massive. Make sure you have at least one hour dedicated if not more to get to see all around the ruins of this great mosque.
This is considered the largest mosque in the whole of Bengal. It was built by Sultan Sikandar Shah between 1364 and 1374 AD. The Sultan later after his death was buried here. This mosque has a large rectangular open courtyard that is surrounded by domed structures. None of the domed structures are visible but the walls still stand.
There is an elevated lady’s section which has a separate entrance and this once had an elevated floor made of rock slabs. Some of them are still very much visible while the rest of them have been replaced by a wooden platform. There are three mihrabs at the gallery.
The main mihrab is very much seen right next to the western section right next to the main entrance from the western wall.
A lot of the raw materials used in the construction of this mosque had come from Hindu temples and the remains of them can still be seen with random pieces of Hindu gods and goddesses visible.
Take as much time as it takes as this is a fairly large structure and would take some time to see in detail.
Adina Mosque Vlog
Resources
Memoirs Of Gaur and Pandua by H. E. Stapleton
Financial Chronicle