On the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, the renovation and cleaning of all the mosques, which are monuments of the ancient history of nearly a hundred years of the district, are going on under the Central Department of Archaeology.
According to related sources, the renovation work of almost all the traditional old mosques in the ten upazilas of the district is progressing more or less. Among the noteworthy mosques respectively, the Miyabari Mosque in Raipasha-Karapur Union of Sadar Upazila is one of the attractions of ancient architectural style. It is one of the oldest mosques in Bangladesh built during the Mughal period. It is believed that the two-storied mosque was built in 1800 AD. Beneath the elaborately carved mosque is a chamber with six doors. However, the real beauty of the main mosque is revealed on the second floor. This section contains all the wonderful design work. The main mosque has three doors. The mosque has eight big minarets. Among the big minarets there are 12 smaller minarets. There are three domes in the center of the mosque. The interior of the largest dome has spectacular craftsmanship. After climbing the stairs to the second floor, there is an open seating area. There are two dighis on the east and west sides of the mosque, which highlight the beauty of the mosque. Local and foreign tourists often visit the ancient mosque.
Also, the nine-domed traditional ‘Allah’s Mosque’ is located in Bara Kasba area of Gournadi Paur area of the district. The mosque is believed to have been built during the reign of Khan Jahan (RA) in the mid-15th century. The mosque now stands as a witness of ancient times. The length and width of the mosque is 11.68 meters. That is, by 38 feet. The walls of the mosque are about 2.18 meters or 7 feet wide. Built of thin brick and lime-surki, this mosque currently has a total of 5 pointed high arched entrances, 3 on the east wall, 1 each on the north and south walls. The upper panel of the entrance arch has some floral and diamond ornamentation. Also there are a total of 9 domes on the roof. There are also 4 stone pillars inside the mosque and 3 mihrabs on the western wall. The middle mihrab is large in size.
The related sources also said that the traditional and historical Kamalapur Jame Masjid was made of burnt soil during the Sultanate period. This rectangular mosque with three domes under the control of the department located in Kamalapur village of Khanjapur union of Gournadi upazila of the district is believed to have been built at the end of the seventeenth century. The mosque has 1.83 meters or six feet thick walls and measures 17.22 meters or 56 feet in length from north to south and 8.08 meters or 26 feet in length from east to west. The walls of the mosque have many fluted arched entrances. There are a total of five entrances including three on the east side and two each on the north and south walls. The central entrance of the mosque on the eastern side is larger than the others and is used as the main gate. The mosque has three semi-octagonal mihrabs on the qibla (front) side.
On the other hand, Nasrat Ghazi Mosque is an ancient mosque and archaeological site located in Barisal district. The mosque was built during the reign of Nasir Uddin Nusrat Shah. It is located in Sialguni village of Bakerganj upazila. The mosque is currently under the protection of the Department of Archaeology. It is estimated that in 1519 a man named Nasrat Ghazi built the mosque in Sialguni village. Therefore, the local people of the mosques are renovating these traditional mosques based on the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Committee members and Directorate of Archaeology. As a result, traditional mosques are becoming a sight to behold. There is also a two-storied building and a mosque with three domes in the first part of the 19th century on the bank of Ulania Diri in Gobindpur area of Mehendiganj upazila of the district during the Mughal period. Which is now known as Ulania Mosque.
In this regard, UP Chairman of Sadar Upazila Raipasha-Karapur Union Ahmad Shahriar Babu said that Miabari Mosque of the union is one of the attractions of ancient architectural style. All kinds of cooperation is being given by the council to preserve this architecture. And it will continue in the future.
Speaking in this context, Assistant Director of Archeology Directorate of Khulna and Barisal Division Md. Golam Ferdous said that most of these traditional and important ancient mosques have disappeared in the womb of time. However, a significant number of ancient cultural heritages survive in remote areas of the country, known more as archaeological sites. The Department of Archeology is gradually working to restore history through the search, excavation, renovation, preservation, display and research of these archaeological artifacts.
