Firoz Minar

Firoz Minar is a five-storeyed tower located in the ancient city of Gaur (Gour) in Malda district, West Bengal. Built between 1485 and 1489 by Sultan Saifuddin Firuz Shah of the Habshi dynasty, the 26-metre high minaret is an important example of Tughlaq-style architecture. It is an Archaeological Survey of India protected monument and a key attraction within the Gaur-Pandua archaeological complex.

Visitors can expect a tall, tapering five-storey tower standing alone in the Gaur archaeological zone surrounded by mango groves and open fields. The lower three storeys are twelve-sided polygonal and the upper two are circular, built of brick with terracotta detailing. A 73-step spiral staircase inside leads to the top but is generally closed to the public. The exterior can be viewed up close, with ruins and other Sultanate-era structures nearby.

Built between 1485 and 1489 by Sultan Saifuddin Firuz Shah, a ruler of the Habshi dynasty of Bengal Sultanate, to commemorate his victories and mark his reign. It was possibly designed by the sultan himself and reflects Tughlaq architectural influence. Gaur was the capital of Bengal for several centuries and the minar is one of its most prominent surviving Sultanate monuments.

Represents Bengal Sultanate architecture and the cultural heritage of the medieval capital city of Gaur. Known locally as Pir-Asha Minar and Chiragdani, it is associated with local traditions and is an important landmark within the Gaur-Pandua heritage circuit showcasing Indo-Islamic architecture.