Abstract:
The Architecture of the Khan.•.•.•ahan Style: Context and Influence
Md. Ali Naqi
For centuries the very fertile soil of 8engal has developed a number of independent styles in
its deferent regions. Among them the Khan--e-Jahan style stands out with its own Identity in
the southern Sunderban area. The ArcMectural out come of thiS Style In and around the
Khalifatabad city, 8agerhat bears the semantic and symbolic inner structure of reasoning
systems of the builder The austere ideals of a religious leader, the necessary functionality on
a marshy frontier region, the Impressions of a jungle life and moreover the hostile nature of
the climatic conditions ttlese are the determlnanls that defined the structure of these
architectural monuments and its place in Bengal culture. The study reveals these underlying
forces that constitute the Architecture of the Khan-e-Jahan Style,
The style was nourished from the very conte>dualrealities that the builder has faced dunng
his development endeavors, As a member of a fui! grown and independent Style these
monuments are very sympathetic to its geo.dimatic context and have developed a number of
unique techniques and systems to meet the situations. The extreme austere appearance of
the bnck monuments, ttle relatively dwarf looking reduced lIOidsor openings on the facades
and evolutionary development of independent to complex organization marks the identifying
characters of this style Along with them the use of curved cornice. the placement of stone
course at the base, the terracotta string-motifs and the water drainage system all these are
directed towards a common goal, ttlatls to continue longer with minimum resource in a very
antagonistic contextual setting, Through this struggie of existence the Style gained ~s
strength not only to sustain but also to grow and Influence the later architectural
developments In a considerable extent. The Influence of Architecture of Khan--e-JahanStyle is
fell far beyond the boundaries of the 8agerhat area, Masjid Bari MOSQueat Patuakhali and
Hammad's Mosque at Kumira are two finest examples of such influences The most
mentionable and the noblest influence of this Style is the introduction of Choucha/a roof. The
Pancharatna layout of Hindu temples drew its organizational Inspiration from the matured
Ionns of Khan--e-JahanStyle.
This study can also be considered as a guideline lor the conservation of the monumenls
under the Khan-e-Jahan Style The guidelines are drawn not from the apparent outlooks but
from the deeper meaning of the Archttecture of Khan--e-JahanStyle: meanings rooted in both
spiritual and physical conceptualities,
