Mughal Eidgah, Islamic prayer ground in Dhanmondi, Bangladesh

The Mughal Eidgah is a raised rectangular prayer platform of about 148 by 137 feet in Dhanmondi, lifted 4 to 6 feet above the ground on brick walls that enclose the courtyard on every side but the east. Only the 15-foot west wall survives from the Mughal period, holding a semi-octagonal mihrab with an inscription above it and three shallow niches on each flank.

Mir Abul Qasim, diwan of Shah Shuja and builder of Boro Katra, founded the Eidgah in 1640 on open ground near Saat Masjid, where a branch of the Pandu river then flowed. Mughal subahdars and diwans came for Eid prayers, while ordinary townspeople were at first barred; the ground was later opened to all. The Department of Archaeology has conserved it since 1981.

During major Islamic festivals, the open ground fills with worshippers from across Dhaka who gather to pray together. These collective prayers are one of the largest recurring religious gatherings in the city.

Visitors should wear modest clothing and follow any guidance posted at the entrance, particularly during prayer times. Coming outside of prayer times allows for a quieter look at the space and its architecture.

The site once bordered a former river branch that influenced where the prayer ground was placed in the early city. The decorative elements on the walls draw from Mughal military architecture, which sets it apart visually from most other prayer grounds.