Chhota Katra

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.

Other synonyms of it are Chuttre (French) and Chatrra (Hindi), both meaning Umbrella, were used for a place that sheltered Pilgrims.

During the first reign of Shaista Khan, then Subahdar of Bengal and a patron of civic and religious building that gave to the architectural style appropriately named after him.

Accounts by Charles D'oyle in 1822 testify to the beauty of the partly surviving Bara Katra, plundered by the poor inhabitants who are still there.

The triple windows and the lofty angle towers reflect the colonial influence during subsequent restoration.

The one-dome square Mausoleum of Champa Bibi, a listed building now, was within its enclosure which was razed to the ground by Padre Shepherd.

As depicted by Charles D'Oyly (who mistook the mausoleum for a mosque) it appears to have been a multi-foil saucer dome with slim corner spandrels.