Variation of BANGLADESH

   Shat Gambuj Mosjid in 

Bagerhat

A muslinm colony was founded in the inhospitable mangrove frost of the Sundarbon near the seacost in Bagerhat district by a saint Ulugh Khan Jahan in mid-15^th century. He was the earliest torchbearer of Islam in the South who laid the nucleus of an affluent city during the right of sultan Mahmud Shah (1442-59), then known as ‘Khalifabad’(at present Bagerhat). Khan jahan adored his city with numerous mosques, tanks, road and public buildings. the most spectacular of which is the imposing multidomed mosque in Bangladesh, known as the shat Gombuj Masjid. The stately fabric of the monument stands on the eastern bank of a vast sweet-water tank, clustered around by the heavy foliage of a low-lying countryside characteristic of a seacoast landscape. The mosque is roofed over with 77 squat domes, including 7 chauchala or four-sided domes in the middle row. The vast prayer hall is provided with 11 arched door-ways on east for ventilation and light. It has 7 longitudinal aisles and 11 deep bays by these columns spring rows of endless arches, supporting the domes. The arches are six feet in fhickness, have slightly tapering hollow and round walls. The interior and the exterior of the mosque give a view of rather plain architecfurebut the interior western wall of the mosque was beautifully decorated with terracotta flowers and foliage.

Besides being used as a prayer hall the mosque was also used as the court of Khan Jahan Ali. Now it is one of greatest tourist attractions and best architectural beauties of Bangladesh.

The most spectacular of which is the imposing multi domed mosque in Bangladesh, known as the shat gambuj masjid. The stately fabric of the monument stands on the eastern bank of a vast sweet water tank, clustered around by the heavy foliage of a low lying countryside characteristic of seacoast landscape.