Sixty Dome Mosque
Khulna
The Sixty Dome Mosque, locally known as Shat Gombuj Masjid, is a historic mosque located in Bagerhat within the Khulna Division of Bangladesh. Constructed between 1442 and 1459 under the patronage of Khan Jahan Ali, the governor of the Sundarbans, it stands as the largest mosque from the Bengal Sultanate period. Despite its name, the mosque features 81 domes supported by 60 slender stone columns arranged in a forest of arches, creating a unique architectural ensemble reminiscent of Tughlaq style with thick tapered brick walls and fortress-like corner towers. The mosque served multiple purposes including as a place for prayers, a madrasa, and an assembly hall. Its vast prayer hall is characterized by eleven arched doorways on the east and seven each on the north and south, allowing ventilation and light yet preserving a somber interior atmosphere. The western wall contains eleven mihrabs, with the central one projecting externally. Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mosque City of Bagerhat, the mosque is celebrated as one of South Asia's most impressive Muslim monuments, reflecting the rich cultural and religious history of 15th-century Bengal.
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Tip: Visitors should plan to visit during the cooler months to avoid the intense heat of the region. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance when possible, especially during peak tourist seasons. Modest dress is recommended due to the mosque's religious significance. Guided tours can enhance understanding of the mosque's architecture and history. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer better lighting for photography and a more tranquil experience. Discounts may be available for students and groups.
Zajímavosti
- •The mosque actually has 81 domes, not sixty as its name suggests.
- •It features 60 stone columns that support the domes, which may have inspired the mosque's name.
- •The corner towers resemble fortress bastions and are capped with small rounded cupolas, reflecting Tughlaq architectural influence.
- •The mosque is part of the Mosque City of Bagerhat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- •The mosque's thick, tapered brick walls are built in the Tughlaq style, uncommon in Bengal architecture.
Historie
The mosque was built in the mid-15th century during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah by Khan Jahan Ali, a saint-general who established a Muslim colony in the Sundarbans region.
The construction began in 1442 and was completed in 1459.
Originally part of a flourishing city called Khalifatabad, the mosque was one of many religious structures Khan Jahan Ali commissioned.
Over centuries, the mosque has remained a significant religious and architectural landmark, surviving through historical changes while retaining its original design and function.
Průvodce po místě
Main Prayer Hall1442-1459
The vast prayer hall is divided into seven longitudinal aisles and eleven bays by sixty slender stone columns, supporting 81 domes arranged in seven rows. The hall's eleven arched doorways on the east and seven on each side provide ventilation and light, creating a serene yet dim interior perfect for prayer and reflection.
Western Wall with Mihrabs1442-1459
The western wall contains eleven mihrabs, with the central mihrab projecting externally. Ten of these are blind mihrabs, serving decorative and symbolic purposes, while the central one marks the direction of Mecca for prayer.
Corner Towers1442-1459
Four hollow, round corner towers resembling fortress bastions stand at each corner of the mosque. Two of these towers were historically used to call the faithful to prayer (azaan). Each tower is topped with a small rounded cupola, reflecting Delhi's Tughlaq architectural style.