Tara Mosque ( Start Mosque ) is located on Abul Khairat Road in Armanitola area of Old Dhaka. As there is no inscription on the mosque, no information about the exact construction period of the mosque is available. However, it is believed that in the beginning of the 18th century, the zamindar of Dhaka, Mirza Golam Pir, built the mosque. Built in Mughal architectural style, the mosque is popularly known as Sitara Masjid or Mirza Ghulam Pir Masjid.
At the time of construction, the length and width of the mosque were 33 and 12 feet respectively. On the roof of the rectangular mosque, there are 3 white round domes studded with blue stars. The star 'motif' is particularly noticeable in the design of all mosques. Because of this special design, the mosque came to be known as Tara Masjid. There are 3 doors on the east side, 1 door each on the north and south side to enter inside the mosque.
Then local businessman Ali Jan Bepari started the renovation of the mosque in 1926. Then the east side of the mosque was extended and the verandah was made and the mosque was made with colored Chinese clay pieces and glass mosaics in the Chini-tikri technique. In the third phase, the mosque was again renovated in 1987. Then the old arch of the mosque was broken and 3 new arches were built. Two more domes were placed on the roof of the mosque and the walls were decorated with moon, stars, flowers and Arabic calligraphy. The present length – width of the extended mosque is 70 and 26 feet respectively.
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