Gour-Pandua

Gaud or Gour is in Bangladesh.
Gour-Pandua is the medieval capital of Bengal. They are twin towns located to the north and south of Malda town, 340 km from Kolkata, in West Bengal. Malda is the base for a visit to Gour-Pandua. The area saw three eras of glory - the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu Senas and the Muslim Sultans. The Senas, the last Hindu kings of Bengal, were displaced by the Muslims in the beginning of the 13th century. They ruled till the Battle of Palashi in 1757. There is no trace of any shrine or structure of the Buddhist or Hindu periods. Even those of the Muslim period are virtually in ruin.
During the 13th-14th century Bengal's rulers maintained a certain independence from the Sultans in Delhi. It was also the period of founding of the Bengali language and the Bengali identity. The Iliyas Shah dynasty ruling from Gour played a big role in that development.
The place has variously been referred to as Lakshanabati, Lakhnauti and Jannatabad.

By train

It is about 7-8 hours from Kolkata. All trains going to North Bengal stop at Malda Town. Convenient connections from Kolkata – Gour Express from Sealdah, Intercity Express from Howrah etc.

By bus

Rocket service from Esplanade, Kolkata for Siliguri.

By car

The normal route is to take NH 12, which links Dalkolha with Kolkata, but the longer route via Durgapur Expressway (part of NH 19) from Dankuni, NH 19 from Palsit to Panagarh bypassing Bardhaman city, and then taking the Panagarh-Moregarm Expressway up to Morgram and on to NH 12 is a more comfortable and enjoyable option.

Hired cars are available at Malda Town and Sujapur (local town situated on NH_34)
West Bengal Tourism operates a bus from Malda for visiting Gour and Pandua. For details check with Tourist Lodge at Malda.

Area landmarks

• Malda Town railway station

• Mohodipur border crossing

• Mahananda Bridge

• NBSTC Malda Depot

At Gour

Situated 14 km south of Malda

• RamkeliContains footprints of Sri Chaitanya on stone.

• Baro Sona MasjidIt is also called Baro Duari Masjid. It was, started by Allaudin Shah and completed by his son, Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah in 1526. The Indo-Arabic style of architecture and the ornamental stone carvings make Baroduari a special attraction for tourists. The 168 ft x 76 ft structure is said to have 44 gilded domes, of which only 11 exist, that too without the gold cover.

• Dakhil DarwazaBuilt in 1425 and also known as Salami Darwaza it was once the main entry for the fort. It is more than 21 metres high and 34.5 metres wide.

• Firoz MinarIt was built by Sultan Saifuddin Feroze Shah during 1485-89 to mark his triumph over Barbak Shah. 26 metres high and 19 metres in circumference. Tourists are not allowed to climb.

• Chika MasjidSultan Yusuf Shah built the Chika Mosque in 1475. The beautifully ornate carvings on the walls and the images of Hindu idols on the stonework of doors and lintels are still partly visible. Near Chika masjid is a mango orchard and beyond it the Bais Gazi wall, built in 1460 by Barbak Shah to protect his palace. The palace has vanished but some parts of the wall remain. Near the wall are excavations made in 2003.

• Kadam Rasul MasjidThis mosque was built by Sultan Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah in 1530. It contains the footprints of the Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad on stone. It was brought from Arabia by Pir Shah Jalal Tabriji.

• Tomb of Fateh KhanThis 17th century tomb of a commander of Aurangzeb's army is an interesting structure, built in the Hindu chala style.

• Tantipara MasjidIt has intricate terracotta work.

• Lukochuri DarwajaThis is a place where the sultans played hide and seek with the begums. There is a difference of opinion as to who built this gate, some say that Shah Shuja built it in 1655, others opine that it was built by Allauddin Hussein Shah in 1522. The innovative architectural style makes it an interesting place to visit.

• Chamkati Masjid

• Gumti DarwazaThis small decorated structure with a dome, near the Lukochuri Darwaja, probably served as a private entrance from the eastern side.

• Lotan Masjid

• There are some monuments on the Bangladesh side of the border and are approachable from Bangladesh: Chhoto Sona Masjid, Khania Dighi Masjid, Balia Dighi, Darasbari Masjid, Dunichak Masjid and Firozpur Masjid. See Gaud for details.

At Pandua

Situated 15 km north of Malda town.

• Adina MasjidBuilt in 1369 by Sultan Sikander Shah it was one of the largest mosques in India. Carved basalt masonry from earlier Hindu temples is said to have also been used.

• Qutb Shahi MasjidLocally known as the Chhoto Sona Masjid, built to honour Saint Nur Qutb-ul-Alam. The ruins of his shrine are nearby, along with that of Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal Tabrizi, collectively known as the Bari Darga.

• Eklakhi MausoleumIt is the most elegant monument in Pandua, with a carved Ganesh on the doorway. It is a tomb of the son of a Hindu Raja, who converted to Islam.

Relax in your place of stay - the visit to the historical sites will be tiring.

Malda is famous for mango, it is called "mango city". Otherwise, there is nothing special about Malda but those who are very keen to buy something can look for Murshidabad silk. Those who are traveling by car can look for fresh vegetables, particularly extra-large aubergines.

There are no eateries in Gour or Pandua.
In Malda, there are some good sweet-meat shops with local varieties.
Some eateries in Malda are: Rajani Ganhdha (Continental Lodge), Purbanchal, Fiza (Kalinga Hotel), Rojgere Ginni (Chanakya Hotel), Payel restaurant.

Normally drinks are available in the hotels but those who are particular about it should preferably carry it.

All hotels and lodges are in Malda. Broadly speaking there are several lodges around Tourist lodge, some around the NBSTC terminus and the private bus stand near it, and some on ABA Gani Khan Choudhury Sarani.

• Malda Tourist Lodge

  phone: +91 3512 220 123, +91 3512 220 991

• Hotel New Heaven

  phone: +91 3512 252735

• Purbanchal

  phone: +91 3512 266 183

• Continental Lodge

  phone: +91 3512 251505, +91 3512 252388, +91 3512 253379
  address: 22/21 KJ Sanyal Rd

• Hotel Landmark

  phone: +91 3512 221 184

• Hotel Chanakya

  phone: +91 3512 266 694

• Meghdoot Lodge

  phone: +91 3512 266 216

• Hotel Kalinga

  phone: +91 3512 283 567

• Hotel Pratapaditya

  phone: +91 3512 268104
  address: Station Rd

• Zilla Parishad Atithi Niwas

  phone: +91 3512-252423

• Youth Hostel

  phone: +91 3512 252158
• New Circuit House, for booking write or fax to: District Magistrate, Malda – 732101, Telephone +91 3512 252 330, Fax +91 3512 253 092, +91 3512 253 049

• Farakka Barrage – about 35 km south of Malda. It is on NH 12 and those travelling by road or rail from Kolkata will cross it.
• Murshidabad – about 140 km from Malda
• Siliguri – about 250 km from Malda
• Kolkata – about 347 km from Malda