Choto Katra

Chhota Katra (Bengali: ছোট কাটারা; Small Katara) is one of the two Katras built during Mughal's regime in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was constructed in 1663 by Subahdar Shaista Khan. It is on Hakim Habibur Rahman lane on the bank of the Buriganga River. Basically it was built to accommodate some officials and Shaista Khan's expanding family. Chhota Katra is slightly smaller than Bara Katra, but similar in plan and it is about 185 metres east to it.

Katara is a form of cellular dormitory built around an oblong courtyard; the form originated in Persia, and like many other things Persian and middle-Asian that the Mughals introduced in this subcontinent, this was copied in Northern India, the home of some of the rulers, members of the Royal Court and the nobility. However, the term may have been derived from Arabic word Katara which meant colonnaded building, or could be a corrupt French word used for a residential quarter. Other synonyms of it are Chuttre (French) and Chatrra (Hindi), both meaning Umbrella, were used for a place that sheltered Pilgrims.

The Katra is rectangular in plan, 101.20m X 92.05m externally and 81.07m X 69.19m internally. The thickness of the outer walls is 0.91m to 1.00m and the maximum thickness of the bastion walls is 1.22m. It has two gateways - to the north and south. The southern one is the main entrance. Both the gateways, though much altered recently are still in dire condition. there are two octagonal towers in the two outer corners of the south wall of the structure.

The structures around the courtyard have undergone much renovation, reconstruction and repair. It is evident that the structure has lost much of its original given it some durability. Many modern extensions were also added to the original building. The three storied gateway on the river side has assumed some colonial features. The triple windows and the lofty angle towers reflect the colonial influence during subsequent restoration.

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