Shat Gombuj mosque in Bagerhat is the best architectural work by Sufi Sultan Khan Jahan. With four huge towers at the four corners and seventy-seven domes on the roof, the mosque looks very scenic and attractive. From the architectural point of view, the mosque continued the tradition of construction of building-style that had already begun in Bengal and contributed to the development of some of the new features taken from local and outside. The corner towers are built like defense towers. They are gradually narrowed to the up, with a round cupola adorning the top. The two-story tower, which rises above the ceiling, is probably influenced by the Khirki of Tughlaq (c. 1375) and Kalan Masjid (1380) of Delhi. It is noteworthy that the spherical feature of the corner tower is different from the other buildings of Khan Jahani style of Khalifatabad.
Shat Gombuj Mosque combines the Arab-Islamic tradition and the construction style of traditional Bengal. Its central huge nave, as well as the adjacent structure, was first seen in Bengal at the Adina Mosque (1375). This style is probably adopted from the Jami’ Masjid (705-715) in Damascus. And the Chauchala arch system on the central nave could be procured from the Chauchala hut type of rural Bengal. Although this tradition was absent in Bengal architecture till then, it was later observed in Chotta Sona Masjid (1493-1519) and Lattan Masjid in Gaur (early 16th century).
The seemingly triangular pediment on the eastern central entrance is probably taken from the triangular gable of the du-chala hut of Bengal. Likewise, the floral niche design on the outskirts of Shat Gombuj Mosque has probably been imitated by the wooden and fence designs of the huts of Bengal.
Another important feature of this mosque is the small entrance gate adjacent to the central Mihrab. It is found in some mosques in northern India but is obsolete in Bengal. This genre may come from ancient Muslim architecture. In the early Muslim architecture, the entrance adjacent to the mosque’s Mihrab was used by the Caliph, the governor or the Imam. So, it’s possible that this route was used by Khan Jahan, ruler of the Khalifatabad, whose residence was located a short distance to the north of the mosque.
The sixty-domed mosque at Bagerhat is one of the best architectural works by Sufi Sultan Khan Jahan, which carries archeological significance. I like the article, it contains travel descriptions. If I go to Bagherhat, I will see the sixty-domed mosque. InshaAllah!
Dear sir, thank you for reading this article about the traditional sixty-domed mosque. Yes, it belongs to the oldest architecture of Bangladesh. Stay with Porzoton. Best wishes!
The sixty-domed mosque at Bagerhat is one of the best architectural works by Sufi Sultan Khan Jahan, which carries archeological significance. I like the article, it contains travel descriptions. If I go to Bagherhat, I will see the sixty-domed mosque. InshaAllah!