Bangladesh, with its rich heritage of Muslim architecture, is home to many mosques, each a witness to history. In every district of the country, one can find the oldest mosques, which hold within them centuries of tradition. Here, we will introduce ten of the oldest and most beautiful mosques from ten districts of Bangladesh.
1. Kusumba Mosque, Naogaon District
Kusumba Mosque is a heritage of the Sultanate period, standing as a testament to over 400 years of history. Located in Kusumba village, Mandah upazila, about 35 kilometers from Naogaon district, this archaeological site was built between 1558 and 1559, according to an Arabic inscription above the main entrance. The mosque is 58 feet long and 42 feet wide, with walls that are 6 feet thick. There are three doors at the front. This mosque, built by a noble named Sulayman during the reign of Sultan Giyas-ud-Din Bahadur Shah, was severely damaged in the 1897 earthquake but later renovated. The mosque is featured on Bangladesh’s 5-taka note. It is located about 400 meters north of the Mandah Bridge on the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway. Kusumba Mosque can be reached by bus from Naogaon.
2. Atiya Mosque, Tangail District
The Atiya Jam-e-Mosque in Tangail is a significant archaeological monument. Located 6 kilometers south of Tangail city, in the village of Atiya in Delduar upazila, the mosque was likely built between 1608 and 1611. The mosque’s construction is attributed to Sayyid Khan Panni, a disciple of Baba Adam Kashmiri, who was a prominent figure in the region during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The mosque features a square design with octagonal minarets and is made of terracotta. The mosque’s image is also featured on Bangladesh’s old 10-taka note.
3. Sixty Dome Mosque, Bagerhat District
The Sixty Dome Mosque, located in Bagerhat, is one of the oldest and most historic mosques in Bangladesh. Built in the 15th century by the famous saint Khan Jahan Ali, the mosque has 60 pillars, arranged in six rows with ten pillars each. Although it is called the Sixty Dome Mosque, it actually has 77 domes, including those on the four minarets. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. The mosque also appears on Bangladesh’s currency.
4. Chhoto Sona Mosque, Chapainawabganj District
Located in the Shahbajpur Union of Shibganj upazila, Chapainawabganj, the Chhoto Sona Mosque is a jewel of Sultanate architecture. It was built between 1493 and 1519 during the reign of Sultan Hussain Shah. The mosque is known for its golden domes, which gave it its name “Sona” (golden). The mosque’s walls are thick, made with a combination of bricks and stones. It has eight pillars inside and 15 domes. The mosque’s structure allows only five domes to be visible from any side, with the others hidden from view.
5. Bagh-e-Shahi Mosque, Rajshahi District
The Bagh-e-Shahi Mosque in Rajshahi’s Bagh upazila is one of Bangladesh’s oldest and most significant architectural landmarks. Built in 1523 by Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Nasrat Shah, the mosque is known for its unique terracotta decorations. The mosque has four large octagonal minarets, intricately carved with beautiful designs. Originally, it had 10 domes, but after the 1897 earthquake, some were destroyed. The mosque was later renovated in 1980.
6. Dholeshwar Hanafiya Jame Mosque, Dhaka
Located in the Dholeshwar Union of Keraniganj, Dhaka, this mosque was built in 1868 and has been expanded several times. In 1968, the mosque’s minaret was added, and in 2018, a restoration project was completed under the guidance of architect Saeed Mostak Ahmed. The mosque won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2021.
7. Baba Adam Mosque, Munshiganj District
The Baba Adam Shahid Mosque in Munshiganj is a significant historical mosque built in memory of Baba Adam, a prominent figure in the spread of Islam in the region. Built during the reign of Sultan Jalaluddin Fateh Shah, the mosque features six domes made of red burnt clay bricks. It is also known for its impressive Arabic inscriptions. The mosque’s photo was featured on a postage stamp by Bangladesh Post in 1991.
8. Miyabari Mosque, Barisal
The Miyabari Mosque in Barisal was built around 1800 AD and is a beautiful example of Mughal-era architecture. Located in the Raypasha village of Karpur Union, this two-story mosque has six doors on the ground floor for housing the students of the madrasa. The mosque has eight tall minarets and three large domes, with intricate carvings on the interior and exterior. The mosque was built by Hayat Mahmud, who also fought against British colonial rule.
9. Chatmohor Shahi Mosque, Pabna District
The Chatmohor Shahi Mosque in Pabna, with its three domes, is a 400-year-old architectural masterpiece. Built in 1581 by the famous Sultan Syed Abul Fateh Muhammad Masum Khan, the mosque’s walls are made of thin “Jafri bricks” and adorned with ancient carvings. The mosque features three doors, each with a unique inscription, and a large central mihrab. The mosque is a prime example of Sultanate-era architecture in Bangladesh.
10. Haji Ganj Big Mosque, Chandpur District
The Haji Ganj Big Mosque, located about 20 kilometers east of Chandpur district, was built in 1325 Bangla (1918 AD) by local resident Ahmad Ali Patwari. The mosque has a total area of 28,405 square feet, with an intricate design that includes 77 pillars and a stunning central mihrab. This mosque is known for its beautiful glasswork and its unique historical significance.
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