Sylhet Shahi Eidgah

Sylhet Shahi Eidgah
Native name সিলেট শাহী ঈদগাহ
Shahi Eidgah grounds
Location	Shahi Eigdah Area, Kotwali Model Thana,Sylhet,Bangladesh
Built	17th century
Architect	FaujdarFarhad Khan
Architectural style(s)	Mughal,Bengali,Bangladeshi
Location of Sylhet Shahi Eidgah in Bangladesh

Sylhet Shahi Eidgah(Bengali:সিলেট শাহী ঈদগাহ), or simplyShahi Eidgah,is an open prayer hall situated inSylhet,north-eastBangladesh,three kilometers to the north-east of the guru nanak international circuit house, meant for theEid prayers.It was built during the rule of Mughal Sultan Sarfaraz Khan. More than 100,000 people can perform prayer at same time in thiseidgah.It is also one of the most visited tourist spots in the city. Recently, the gates were rebuilt to ensure safety and security.As well as for prayer uses and Islamic congregations, the eidgah has historically been a place to give speeches and host rallies by the likes ofMohandas GandhiandMuhammad Ali Jinnah.There have also been battles taken place there such as theMuharram Rebellion.

History

Main article:Muharram Rebellion

Entrance at night

During the rule of Mughal emperorAurangzeb,Farhad Khanwas appointed as thefaujdarof Sylhet. Farhad Khan supervised the construction of the Shahi Eidgah on a hill in the 17th century.On 16 December 1782 (10Muharram1197), the Pirzada of Sylhet two religious leaders, Syed Muhammad Hadi and Syed Muhammad Mahdi (known locally as Hada Miah & Mada Miah), led the first uprising against the British opposition in these grounds. The two brothers marched with their followers to the grounds with the main purpose for ataziaprocession,but to also do a sudden attack against the British. However,Robert Lindsay,the colonial supervisor ofthe district,was already made aware of this and came armed with contingents forcing the rebels to surrender.The rebels declined and revolted and a short battle took place in the grounds. In the aftermath, the leader of the rebels died with Hadi and the Pirzada being shot dead by Lindsay himself. The incident, known as the1782 Sylhet uprising,was also mentioned in Lindsay's diary while he was going back to Europe.Mohandas Gandhigave a speech in these grounds as part of hisnon-cooperation movement,and many other politicians followed after as the years went by such asMohammad Ali Jinnah,Mohammad Ali Jauhar,Huseyn Shaheed SuhrawardyandA. K. Fazlul Huq.

Architecture and design

Front entrance on the left

Although designed like a grand Mughal fort, it is actually meant forEid prayers.There are 3 gates to enter through and 15 domes. Through the large gate, there is a large pond, known locally as "fukoir" or "fukri", which is designated as awudu khana.The ground contains a largemihrabin the center of the wall, with other smallermihrabsscattered throughout. Around the borders of the eidgah are also many half-domedminars.

See also

• Sylhet District