Mir Nasiruddin Ujjal, Munshiganj
The ancient six-domed Baba Adam Mosque located at Dargabari in Mirkadim of Munshiganj is a matter of curiosity to the tourists. This architectural masterpiece is 43 feet long and 36 feet wide. The thickness of the walls is 78 inches.
Between the two walls, two black stone pillars with a height of eight feet ten inches and a radius of five and a half feet have been carrying the weight of the whole mosque for centuries.
Freedom fighter Khandaker Delwar Hossain Milon, vice-president of the mosque’s steering committee, said the pillars on the north side often become damp. This stone keeps the mosque cool. Although the stone of the south pillar is similar in nature, it spreads warmth as needed.
The temperature of the mosque is amazing without any windows, he added.
There are only three entrances on the east side. However, only the middle one is kept open.
The mosque was built by Malik Kafur in 1483 during the reign of Sultan Jalaluddin Fateh Shah. The architectural design of the mosque includes an arched entrance in its front part.
Above the entrance there is a black stone plaque engraved with Persian letters. Moving forward from the main wall, one can notice four triangular shaped pillars at four corners.
Inside the mihrab, there are two walls on either side of the arch with carved work like racks. The floor is made of bricks.
Muslim architectural art by cutting thin bricks can be observed in the arched doors of the mosque, at the foot of the pillars and beneath the cornice of the roof.
The mosque, built 538 years ago with burnt clay bricks, powdered bricks, lime and tamarind water, stands as a witness to the Sultanate period.
Mentioning that there is a beautiful work of brick plaque on both sides of the entrance of the mosque and on the north and south wall, Imam Maulana Mahbubur Rahman Salehi, Khatib and Pesh of the ancient mosque said that slight cracks have developed in the south-west wall of this ancient mosque. Besides, bricks have come off in a few places.
Regular congregational prayers are offered in the mosque. The Department of Archeology has been supervising this infrastructure since 1948.
Former mayor of Mirkadim Municipality Khandaker Mohammad Hossain Renu said that the mosque was last renovated in 1909. He thinks that it requires immediate reform.
The picture of this wonderful mosque has got a place in the postage stamp of six taka.
Deputy Commissioner of Munshiganj, Kazi Nahid Rasul said, there are plans to properly renovate the mosque and to provide booklets to give accurate information to the tourists. At the same time, letters will be sent to the authorities concerned who are in charge of protecting the mosque.
According to the locals, Baba Adam was laid to rest next to his dargah. The mosque was built 319 years later next to his tomb.
Baba Adam, who was born in Ta’if, Mecca in 1099, came to Bengal in 1142 to preach Islam.
