Description
The Adina Mosque of Pandua, built by Sultan Sikandar Shah in 1375 is one of the most important Islamic monuments in the architectural history not only of Bengal, but in all of South Asia. It stands out because of its vast size and unique design, neither of which was repeated again. Naseem Ahmed Banerjis books fills a gap in the scholarship of the architecture and history of this region. . . The authors detailed study of architectural forms and decoration reveal their symbolic use by the ruler to further his own political ambitions. . . . Historical sources are carefully used to bring out the crucial role which the Sufis played in the politics of the times, and the author interprets the decorative motif of the lamp as well as the Koranic inscriptions. . . Banerji uses the Adina Mosque as a metaphor for the liberal politics and religious philosophy of Sikandar Shah who was able to forge a cohesive state for himself in this frontier region of Bengal. The book has added significance in the context of the current communal politics in South Asia. Perween Hasan
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