Indo Islamic Heritage
The best way to visit Qadam e Rasool in Cuttack is to take a train to Cuttack Junction (CTC), which lies roughly 1.5 km from the shrine, then hire an auto‑rickshaw or walk. The newly opened Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) at Khannagar (about 3–4 km away) is an ultra-modern inter‑state bus hub with Mo Bus service connections . You can also use Ama (Mo) Bus Route 17, which provides direct service from Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, to CNBT or Barabati Stadium , or choose the express AE1 service from the airport straight to CNBT for ₹100 . From CNBT or CTC Junction, it's a quick auto‑rickshaw ride to Dargah Bazaar where the shrine is located.
The Qadam Rasul in Cuttack is a revered Islamic monument, historically surrounded by stone towers that also serve as burial grounds for many Islamic dignitaries of the region. According to historical accounts, when Kalapahar led an invasion into Odisha, Haji Syed Alimullah Dacca, a relative of Syed Nashim of Masher from Persia, arrived carrying a holy relic—a footprint (Qadam Rasul) of the Prophet Muhammad—originating from Arabia. This relic bore the official seal of Makkah Sharif and symbolized divine mercy. Initially, it was hidden inside a Khirin tree at Kukuriapada village in the Sungara area of the Cuttack subdivision. The site where the holy relic was installed came to be known as Rasulpur. As the relic's fame spread and people began experiencing spiritual and physical healing at the site, efforts were made to restore and honor it further. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the then Subahdar of Odisha, Nawab Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan, wished to express his devotion to the sacred relic. However, the location of Rasulpur was remote and difficult to access. Thus, at the request of Shah-Uddin, his minister Muhammad Ali ordered the transfer of the relic to Cuttack for better accessibility. Two key reasons supported this move: 1. Shuja-ud-Din, known for patronizing architectural projects in Odisha, aimed to build a grand sanctuary around the relic. 2. He wanted the holy relic to be placed in a location where a larger number of people could visit and seek blessings. Following this decision, the Qadam Rasul was shifted from Rasulpur to Jobraghat, situated on the banks of the Mahanadi River, in 1099 Amli (1687 A.D.). Munshi Hasdmand Khan was appointed to oversee the management of the shrine. This area later became known as Hashamant Shahi, a name it still holds today. Nawab Shuja-ud-Din donated 50 acres of land for the shrine and constructed a rectangular stone building with a central dome and surrounding towers. Later, under the reign of Alivardi Khan, another 90 acres were donated, followed by 2 acres from Emperor Farrukh Siyar, and additional land from Jamuji Bhonsle, the Raja of Nagpur. The shrine complex includes four square-shaped fortifications on each side of the enclosure. A Masjid (mosque) was built in the Qadam Rasul garden in 1130 A.H. (1718 A.D.), whose architectural beauty rivals that of the Ujalekhan Masjid in Muhammadia Bazaar. Notably, the mosque and the structures were built in traditional Odia architectural style, crafted by local artisans and builders. Architecturally, the complex resembles the Diwan Bazaar Masjid and the Jama Masjid in Balu Bazaar. Qadam Rasul also features a vast burial ground. Among those interred are prominent historical figures such as Subahdar Muhammad Taqi Khan, Fateh Khan, Ajam Khan, Bahur-i-Sultan, and others. Several shrines (dargahs) were constructed for these distinguished individuals, including a shrine for the martyr known as Shahid Pani. Inside the complex, there is a water storage chamber and an eight-room travelers’ rest house. The shrine is enclosed by a massive compound wall, forming a large rectangular structure. Today, Qadam Rasul stands not only as a spiritual sanctuary but also as a unique example of Indo-Islamic architecture rooted in Odia craftsmanship.
Year of Built: 18th Century
Address: Qadam e Rasool, Bajrakabari Road (Dargah Bazaar), Cuttack, Odisha 753001, India .
Country: India
State: Odisha
District: Cuttack
Pincode: 753001
Longitude: 85.864426
Latitude: 20.484631