This mosque, made of red-and-black patterned bricks and surki (a type of lime mortar), is over a century old. The mosque, with its large pillars, five arches, and three domes, appears as a piece of art. The walls of the mosque, above the arches, are adorned with motifs of vines, leaves, and flowers, reflecting the traditional craftsmanship of rural Bengal. The mosque, with its exquisite design, is located in a peaceful village surrounded by fields and the chirping of birds. Anyone walking along the village path is bound to stop at the mosque at least once. Its architectural style is sure to captivate anyone.
The mosque is located in the eastern Mithanala village, about 4 kilometers from the Mirsharai upazila headquarter in Chittagong. The village, surrounded by greenery and the sounds of birds, is quiet and free from much noise. In the heart of the village stands this century-old mosque, which draws the attention of everyone. The mosque was established in 1916 by a local philanthropist, Haji Golam Sultan, to make it easier for the people of the area to perform their prayers. The mosque is known as Haji Golam Sultan Jame Masjid after its founder.
According to Farid Ahmed Chowdhury, the grandson of Haji Golam Sultan, Haji Golam Sultan was a wealthy man from the eastern Mithanala village in Chittagong district. His father, Elahi Box, had four sons, all of whom worked in the food business in Rangoon (now Yangon), Myanmar. Haji Golam Sultan, one of the sons, built the mosque for the benefit of the local community to offer prayers.
While the basic structure of the mosque was built in 1916, it was in 1920 that artisans from Myanmar were brought in to complete the mosque in Burmese architectural style. Both the interior and exterior of the mosque feature intricate carvings of flowers, birds, and vines, making the architecture truly unique. The mosque, built on almost one acre of land, is surrounded by thick protective walls made of burnt bricks and surki. Its elegant minaret and three-domed design can be seen from a distance.
Farid Ahmed Chowdhury further mentioned that his grandfather, Haji Golam Sultan, did not just stop at building the mosque. To ensure the mosque’s operational costs were met without hindrance, he donated more than 12 acres of agricultural land in the mosque’s name. The income from this land is now used to cover the mosque’s expenses. However, he expressed regret that during the mosque’s several renovations, much of its original artwork has been lost.
Saleh Ahmed, a resident of Eastern Mithanala village, has served as the mosque’s muezzin for the past 30 years. He stated that this mosque is an ancient religious institution for the local community. Although Haji Golam Sultan was the founder, the mosque has now become an institution for the entire village. During religious festivals, especially Eid prayers, the mosque premises are always bustling with activity. The mosque’s heirs continue to work for its welfare, and today, people from far and wide visit it to admire its beauty.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Sheikh Haji Golam Sultan Chowdhury focused on the renovation of the renowned Aman Ullah Bhuiyan house in the region. During this time, he built a beautiful and elegant mosque in front of the house, which was named after his ancestor Aman Ullah Bhuiyan. Located in Mithanala village of Mirsharai upazila, this mosque captivates any visitor. It is believed that the architectural style of the mosque is based on the Mughal era.
The mosque was constructed using numerous valuable foreign stones. The mosque’s design is intricately carved and beautifully crafted. The presence of a pond and an open field in front of the mosque significantly enhances its beauty. The plaque in front of the mosque reveals that it was built in 1928. The founder of the mosque, Sheikh Haji Golam Sultan Chowdhury, was a descendant of Aman Ullah Bhuiyan and a prominent philanthropist in the area. Sheikh Haji Golam Sultan Chowdhury was also involved in the establishment of several educational and religious institutions in the region. During his lifetime, he provided food for travelers at the mosque. This great individual passed away in 1954, and he was buried beside the mosque he had built.
Mizanul Haque, a member of the local Mithanala Union Council, told Purbokone that the historic mosque is located in front of the famous Aman Ullah Bhuiyan house in his ward. The architectural style of the mosque is so beautiful that people come from distant places just to admire it. He believes that it is necessary to preserve the mosque as a historical heritage by urgently renovating it while maintaining its original design. Sheikh Haji Golam Sultan Chowdhury was one of the prominent landlords of Mirsharai during his time. He was born in 1883 into an aristocratic family at the traditional Aman Ullah Bhuiyan house in Eastern Mithanala village, Mithanala Union. In his adulthood, he traveled to Burma (Myanmar) for business, where he amassed considerable wealth and earned a reputation as a philanthropist in his area.
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