First Author,The Second Author is: Pronoy Chowdhury
Research paper Title
Heritage Resurgence: Lessons from Unveiling the Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque Through Integrative Documentation Amidst Contemporary Alterations
Personal Biography
1. Imamur Hossain is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture, Sonargaon University (SU), Dhaka. He is also the Centre Coordinator of International Centre for Development and Environmental Studies and is a Conservation Architect in profession.
2. Pronoy Chowdhury is a Lecturer of the Department of Architecture at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
Paper Abstract
The Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque, a historic structure deeply embedded in the urban fabric of Chittagong, Bangladesh, exemplifies a complex challenge inherent in preserving heritage within rapidly transforming urban environments in the Global South. Due to unplanned urbanization and through various alterations over time, the core fabric of the mosque and its surrounding complex have been significantly changed, with features concealed by interventions such as wall tiles, added furniture over the niches, and plaster masking structural details- making it challenging to perceive the historic character of the mosque from the outside. This research meticulously documents the mosque through a sophisticated hybrid methodology that combines advanced photogrammetry with precise manual surveying, employing a systematic investigative process that rigorously hypothesizes, cross-references and utilizes advanced tools.
In doing that this study transcends the conventional technical exercise of measurement, delving into the mosque’s multifaceted identity as shaped by the temporal changes in its surfaces, driven by diverse needs and decisions over time. Each layer of material fabric in terms of addition and alteration was carefully deconstructed to reveal the underlying architectural heritage, requiring a delicate balance between technological innovation and hands-on critical engagement with the site.
Here, the high-resolution drone imagery was instrumental in documenting the mosque's form amidst the dense overlay of contemporary constructions, resulting in an unparalleled level of visual clarity and spatial accuracy. The authors did not simply accept the drone data at face value; rather, they rigorously validated and supplemented it with manual surveying to ensure a thorough understanding of the mosque's structural nuances and the material integrity of its remaining historical elements. This combination enables a process that supersedes the limitations imposed by the physical modifications to the site, prioritising both heritage rediscovery and documentation.
The findings of this study attempt to make a substantial contribution to the field of heritage documentation by confronting conventional methods that frequently fail to account for the challenges posed by urban encroachments. The study provided critical insights into the underlying layers and concealed features by subsequently correlating the documentation with another detailed documentation of similar mosque architectures from the same period, such as the Hazi Khawaja Mosque and Musa Khan Mosque, two Mughal-era mosques in Dhaka. The study advocates adaptive documentation strategies that consider both the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage, providing a sophisticated method for the preservation of sites such as the Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque, where historical significance is inextricably linked to the ongoing evolution of urban areas.
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