Subject Index
Browse by Maps
|
| Lukochuri Darwaza situated a little
to the north of the gumti
gate of the citadel of Gaur-Lakhnauti, is a Mughal building,
ascribed to shah
shuja, son of Emperor shahjahan,
and governor of Bengal in the middle of the 17th century. The structure
is in pure Mughal style. Although it has some similarity in plan with
other gateways of the citadel, it is completely different in construction
since it is to be entered by a iwan-type portal of four centred
central arches flanked by similar arched doors on the sides. The gateway,
made of brick, is rectangular in design, measuring 19.80m long and 12.90m
broad. It is three storied in height and has flanking doorways in the
first floor, similar to those below it, but with a flat roof above used
as a naqqar khana that heralds the governor's entrance into and
exit from the citadel. In the top storey, above the central arch occupying
the space of the ground and first floors, are three large windows in the
form of machicoulis above which are the crowning merlons typical of Mughal
architecture. The entire structure is plaster-covered, and is designed
in rectangular frames with muqarnas ornamentation of the Mughal
type inside the hood of the central arch.
Since there was alreadya Sultanate gateway near it to the south,
what was its necessity? The answer is simple. A Mughal subahdar
would not use a Sultanate structure as a ceremonial gateway for
his entrance. The gateway was symbolic of Mughal rule and represented
the spirit of independence and Mughalization.
|
|
Lukochuri Darwaza, Gaur-Lakhnauti |
From the time of the restored Iliyas Shahis, the city
expanded towards the south. So its governor felt the necessity of erecting
this gateway towards that direction. Moreover, it is known that Shah Shuja
often visited his patron saint shah
niamatullah Wali who resided in the southern part of the city
in Firuzpur quarters. The erection would have shortened his journey and
also given him an opportunity to pass through the city-centre, which was
then towards the east and south side of the gateway.
The name Lukochuri (Bangla) is probably a later
addition, and derives from its use by children who played hide and seek
in it. [ABM Husain]
|
|
Subject Index
Browse by Maps
|