Malda Gaur & Pandua

Maldagn of Sasanka was once the capital of ancient Bengal for several centuries . In the 12th century A.D. and it is during the reign of Senas that Gour became known all over India as a seat of learning art and culture . During the reign of Lakshaman Sen, Gour was invaded by Bhakhtiyar Khilji during early thirteenth centaury A.D. and after the conquest of Bengal by him, the fortunes of city was plundered by Sher Shah, the last independent Sultan of Bengal . Most of the monuments in Gour today are the remains of the Muslim period , and a number of them are constructed with materials taken from Hindu temple . The city of Gour was once compemently fortified by a high earthen rampart, the top of the wall being covered with buildings.

The Baroduari or the great golden mosque, the largest of the monuments in Gour, was erected by Sultan Nasrat Shah in 1526 A.D. This mosque is a massive rectangular building of brick. The Dakhil Darwajah, the main gateway to the was probably built in early 15th century . Its four corners are topped with 5-storied high towers. The Chika Mosque, a single domed edifice with Hindu idols featured on the stonework of doors and lintels is in an obliterated condition. Firuz Minar, an impressive monument stands 26 metre tall. The Tamaltola at Ramkeli – Shri Chaitanya , the great religious reformer of Bengal , arrived here on his way to Vrindavan during the reign of Sultan Hussain Shah . The Lattan Mosque was constructed by Sultan Yusuf Shah in 1475 A.D.

The Eklakhi Mausoleum is the most elegant monument in Pandua (32km from Gour and 20 km from Malda ), built in 1412-15 A.D. Contains a Hindu idol carved on the front door linet. The celebrated Adina Mosque was built by Sikandar Shah, between 1364-1374 A.D. Though partly in ruins, it is the most remarkable existing example of Muslim architecture of that period. The most remarkable feature about this great mosque is the total absence of any entrance gateway. Malda Museum has a collection of stone images and coins and inscriptions retrieved from the ruins of Gour and Pandua. Also worth seeing are Bari Dargah and Qutb Shahi Mosque in Pandua ( built in 1582 A.D. ) and many other historical places there are quite a number of “Beels” . Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed a Buddhist monastery at Jagjivanpur, 41 km from Malda . There are a number of cottage industries in Malda, particularly , the sericulture . Among fruit-bearing trees, the most common is the mango for which the district is famous . The most popular festival in this district is that of Gambhir which is celebrated in the middle of April every year.