About this experience

Sixty Dome Mosque of Bagerhat

Bagerhat, Bangladesh

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Published: 2023 (v2)

Story outline

  • The 60 Dome Mosque

    The Sixty Dome Mosque in Southern Bangladesh is a significant 15th-century religious site that embodies local resilience, but it's increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change.

  • Stop 1. Spiritual Serenity

    The "60 Dome Mosque" in Bagerhat actually has 81 domes and is an engineering marvel crucial to local religious life. Located near the Bay of Bengal, the area is flood-prone during storms.

  • Stop 2. Place of Refuge

    Many residents living nearby lack sturdy homes, and during cyclones, they frequently seek shelter within the mosque. It's remarkable that even after 600 years, the steadfast walls of this ancient mosque continue to provide invaluable protection and safety to the community.

  • Stop 3. Holy Architecture

    The mosque's interior features a "forest" of columns supporting overhead domes. The mihrabs, made from ceramic tiles, indicate the direction of Mecca and serve as prayer focal points, with the central mihrab uniquely made of stone.

  • Stop 4. Climate Change

    Bangladesh faces climate challenges due to its geography, high population density, and agricultural reliance. Coastal areas, where the Sixty Dome Mosque is located, are particularly vulnerable to flooding, storms, and rising sea levels, issues exacerbated by climate change.

  • Stop 5. Eroding Bricks

    Efflorescence is the white, powdery salt deposit seen on bricks, caused by water dissolving salts within porous materials. This process can weaken structures over time due to salt expansion and contraction with varying moisture and temperature.

  • Stop 6. A Sufi Saint

    Khan Jahan Ali was a key 15th-century figure in Bangladesh, known for his contributions to the country's social, religious, and architectural development. As a saint and administrator, he founded many important Islamic structures.

  • Stop 7. Community Resilience

    The Sixty Dome Mosque is a testament to both the skill of its original craftsmen and the ongoing preservation efforts of the local community. Bagerhat's residents show resilience and ingenuity, thriving in a challenging landscape.

Voices

  • Maruf Hossain

    Associate Professor of Architecture

    Maruf Hossain is an associate professor of Architecture at Khulna University and a practicing architect.

  • Afroza Khan Mita

    Regional Director of DOA

    Ms. Afroza Khan Mita is an archaeologist and Regional Director with the Department of Archaeology.

Partners

About the Project

Welcome to the Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat, a cherished religious site in Southern Bangladesh. The old city of Bagerhat was founded by Khan Jahan Ali in the 15th Century and was centered around the 60 Dome mosque. Located just North of the largest mangrove forest in the world, this low-lying region is known for its fertile soil and severe weather. Today the Sixty Dome Mosque serves as a cherished sanctuary for prayer and a testament to the tenacity and resourcefulness of the local community. Join Maruf Hossein, an architect, and Ms. Afroza Khan Mita, the regional director for the Department of Archaeology, as they guide you through the mosque's construction, its importance to the community, and the challenges it faces due to climate change.

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Credits

This Tapestry tour was made possible with support from Iron Mountain

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