Hoseni Dalan

Front (north) face of the Hoseni Dalan by Ragib Hasan

South face of the Hoseni Dalan by Ragib Hasan

Islamic Calligraphy in the north face of the Hoseni Dalan by Ragib Hasan

Hoseni Dalan, also spelt Husaini Dalan, is a Shia shrine in the old part of the Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was built in the 17th century during the Mughal era. This commemorates the martyrdom of Al-husain, grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, during the battle of Karbala on 10 October 680 CE.

History

It is said that one Sayyid Murad built the building during the Subedari (Governorship) of Shah Shuja, son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Although Shuja was a Sunni Muslim he patronised Shia institutions too. Legend has it that Sayyid Murad built the building after a vision of Al-husain. Since then, the building has been enhanced and renovated many times. During the rule of the East India Company, it was repaired in 1807 and 1810. After an earthquake damaged it in 1897 it was further extended and reconstructed.

Celebrations

Although most of the people of Bangladesh are Sunni, there is a small number of Muslims Shia Muslims in Dhaka. During the first 10 days of Muharram, it becomes a centre of mourning and religious celebration in old Dhaka. Both the Sunni and the Shia followers join the mourning, ending in the festival of Ashura when a great procession parades through the streets. For its reconstruction, Pearu Sarder (date, unknown), contributed a vast amount of money in 1975.

Gallery

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  Side view of Hoseni Dalan

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  Calligraphy on the walls

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  Rising minaret of Hoseni Dalan