The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Bara Katra and Choto Katra, two important historical monuments of the Mughal era situated at the north end on the bank of River Buriganga and to the south of Chawk Bazar, are now in dilapidated state.

The Katras, inns, enclosed a quadrangular courtyard with 22 rooms on all of its four sides. Bara Katra was built by Abul Qasim al Husaini in 1644 and Choto Katra by Nawab Shaista Khan in 1663, according to the design of the caravanserai found in the Central Asia, which facilitated over-night traders on the major route along the River Buriganga. Now the two gateways were erected, one each on the north and south. The ruins consist of an edifice having a river frontage.

While visiting the two Katras, this correspondent found many shops and a packaging factory are now occupying the Choto Katra along with several families who have occupied the space illegally.

The architecture on both sites of the building has been drastically altered or extended by the occupants seriously damaging its archaeological value. While designing the Katras, the southern wing of the structure was planned on a grand scale and was marked with an elaborate three-storey gate containing an octagonal central chamber. The remaining portion was two-storey and covered by projected octagonal towers.

The gateway structure is rectangular in plan. It is lofty in height and its fronton is projected towards the river. A tall alcove (niche) rising to the second storey reduces the mass of this projection. The wall surface is relieved with panels that are square as well as rectangular and that contain a variety of decorations of four-centred, cusped, horseshoe and flat arches. Above the apex of the alcove open the windows of the third storey.

Under the alcove is the main arched entrance, which leads to the guardroom. Furthermore, as one passes through two successive archways, one comes across an octagonal domed hall, the ceiling of which is plastered and bears various net-patterns and foliaged designs. The double storey structure resolves on both sides of the central entrance into a row of five vaulted rooms in the ground floor and living rooms with a continuous corridor on the upper one. Similarly the upper floors of the entrance are furnished with rooms. The three storey corner towers are hollow and can be approached from the subsidiary structures. The Bara Katra contains two inscriptions in Persian - one records that it was built in 1053 AH (1643-44 AD) and the other contains the date 1055 AH (1645-46 AD) and confirms that Shah Shuja gave the building to Abul Qasim to be used as a Katra on the condition that the officials in charge of the donations (Waqf) should not take any rent from any deserving person alighting therein.

Choto Katra is rectangular in a plan (101m X 92m). It has two gateways, one to the north and the other to the south. Basically it was built to accommodate some officials and Shaista Khan's expanding family. It has the tomb of Champa Bibi, whose history and identity is mysterious. The small mosque within it's boundary has disappeared. Choto Katra is slightly smaller than, but similar in plan and it is about 185 metres east to Bara Katra.

The Katra could not be taken over by the Department of Archaeology owing to the resistance of its owners. The owners have made several alterations to the original character of the building and have also started construction of a new multi-storeyed building in the area.

Dr Abu Sayed M Ahmed, a conservation architect, said, "It is a national heritage site and a landmark of the great historical significance. It needs to be protected. Both sites are in need of immediate conservation work."

But the occupants claimed that they have a legal hold on the sites and are not willing to move. The occupant of Choto Katra claimed that his father had bought the property before independence. Bara Katra has lost its original features, being used by the Jamia Husainiya Ashraful Ulum Madrassah.

In fact, in most cases, the inheritors are not willing to do so for one reason or the other. On the other hand there is more than one inheritor or the property has been leased out.