Branding Bangladesh in Tourism

During the mid 15th century, a saint Ulugh Khan Jahan established a muslim colony near the seacoast in the Bagerhat district. He is the first one to preach Islam in the southern area of Bangladesh and to lay the foundation of a wealthy city during the regime of the Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah. At that time this region was known as Khalifalabad. Saint Khan Jahan adorned the city with a number of mosques, roads, buildings etc. One of such mosques is the largest multi – domed mosques of the country the Shat – Gombuj Masjid (Mosque of 60 domes), which was built in 1459.

This noble and exquisite monument is predominantly known for its intense simplicity but sheer size, reflecting the noble strength, honesty and simplicity of the one who built it. The area of the mosque is about 17280 square feet having a length of 160 feet and a breadth of 108 feet. It was built my red burnt mud.

The Bengali word ‘Shat’ means the numeric ‘60’. Though the name implies that it has got 60 domes, the actual number of domes in this mosque is 81.

In Bengali Shat means the number 60, so it might be quite apparent that it has 60 domes but actually the numbers of domes in the mosque are 81. The mosque is roofed with around 77 squat domes, including seven (07) four sided ones. The gigantic prayer hall creates a dark and solemn appearance inside the mosque though there are a number of doorways, 11 on the eastern side while 7 on the north – south side.

The thick hollow and round walls recall a typical Tuhglaq Architecture, the then prominent trend of Delhi. The solemn and serene architectural beauty of the Shat Gombuj Mosque charms a number of tourists every day. An Archaeological museum is also there along with the mosque, to make people know about different culture of that time.