Choto Katra

Choto Katra which means the Small Katra. It is one of the Katras built during Mughal's regime in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was constructed in 1663 by Subahdar Shaista Khan and the architectural work was done by him. Choto Katra is rectangular in a plan of 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 its boundary has disappeared. Choto Katra is slightly smaller than Bara Katra, but similar in plan and it is about 185 metres east to Bara Katra.

The ruins of Choto Katra, amidst urban encroachment.

Choto Katra ( Bengali: চত কাতর ) is an historically significant architectural monument situated about 200 yards East of the BARA KATRA at HAKIM HABIBUR RAHMAN LANE on the bank of the river BURIGANGA in OLD DHAKA. It was first established during MUGHAL’S regime in OLD DHAKA, BANGLADESH.

History:

KATRA is a form of cellular dormitory built around an oblong courtyard; the form originated in Persia, and like many other things Persian and middle-Asian that the Mughals introduced in this subcontinent, this was copied in Northern India, the home of some of the rulers, members of the Royal Court and the nobility. However, the term may have been derived from Arabic Katara which meant colonnaded building, or could be a corrupt French word used for a residential quarter. Other synonyms of it are Chuttre (French) and Chatrra (Hindi), both meaning Umbrella, were used for a place that sheltered Pilgrims.

Choto Katra was built between 1663-71. During the first reign of Shaista khan, the most successful and powerful Subedar of Bengal and a Portfolic builder (Patron) of civic and religious building that gave to the architectural style appropriately named after him. The British made some additions to the Choto Katra, once used by the first English Medium School in Dhaka (1816) setup by Padre Leonardo, and then the first normal school (1857). The Nawabs of Dhaka rented the places as a coal and lime go down for sometime.

Choto Katra shamsina zaman sarah

Inside, there is a Tomb of Champa Bibi, but there is no correct history regarding her identity. There was a small mosque within its enclosure which has now disappeared. The one-dome square Mausoleum of Bibi Champa, a listed building now, was within its enclosure which was raged to ground by padre shepherd. It was later reconstructed by the Archaeologists, but now lost within mazes of shops at Champatali. From D’oyle’s drawing who mistook the structure as a mosque, it looked splendid with a multi-foil saucer dome and slim corner spandrels. Bibi champa was either shaista khan’s daughter or a local concubine whom he later married. Shaista khan’s Bengali heirs from Bibi Champa’s lineage used to live in Choto Katra for Many years as Shaista Khan owned Katra.

Architectural Significance:

The Katra is Rectangular in plan, 101.20m x 92.05m externally and 81.07m 69.19m internally. The thickness of the outer walls is 0.91 TO 1.00m and the maximum thickness of the bastion walls is 1.22m. CHOTO KATRA is situated about 200 yards East of the BARA KATRA at HAKIM HABIBUR RAHMAN LANE on the bank of the river BURIGANGA in OLD DHAKA. It is similar in plan to that of the Bara Katra, but is smaller in size.

There are two gateways, one to the North and the other to the South. The southern one is the main entrance. Both the gateways, though much altered recently are still in a bad stage. In the two outer corners of the south wall of the structure there are two octagonal towers.

Present Condition:

The structures around the courtyard have undergone much renovation, reconstruction and repair. It is evident that the structure has lost much of its original given it some durability. Many modern extensions were also added to the original building. The three storied gateway on the river side has assumed some colonial features. The triple windows and the lofty angle towers reflect the colonial influence during subsequent restoration.

Since the shift of Mughal capital in 1713, the Katra started to lose its importance along with the city, though the Naib NAzim Jissarat Khan briefly stayed here before his palace, or rather a mansion of which nothing much is now left, was built in 1765 in nimtali in city just overcoming anarchy. Accounts by Charles D’oyle in 1822 testify to the beauty of the partly surviving Bara Katra, Plundered by the poor inhabitants whom are still there. Attempts by the Archaeology department in the past to take over the structure and restore it to its original glory have been unsuccessful, mainly thwarted by the people who are running a Madrash by illegally occupying a part of the structure.

Besides this Katra, there was several more such cellular structures mainly used as inns or residential enclaves, for example Maya Katra, Muqim Katra Nawab Katra, etc. We do not find many reminiscences of mughal period built residential quarters in Dhaka or elsewhere in Bengal, except these few Katras.

Reference:

• Ahmed, Nazimuddin, Buildings of the British Raj in Bangladesh, Edited by John Sanday, University Press Limited, 1st Edition, Page no. 46-49, ISBN No: 9840510916

• Mamun, Muntasir, Dhaka: Smriti Bismritir Nagari, 3rd Edition, Page No: 201-206, ISBN No: 984 412 1043

• Book of The City of an architect ISBN: 9848156010

• Ahmed, Nazimuddin, Islamic Heritage of Bangladesh (Dhaka, 1980: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)