Sat Gambuj Mosque: The Well-Preserved Mughal Era Mosque

If you are an inhabitant of Dhaka city then you might have heard the name of Sat Masjid Road (সাত মসজিদ রোড), but hardly any of you know that this road has been named after the Sat Gambuj Mosque (সাত গম্বুজ মসজিদ). This century-old road has connected Mohammadpur and Mirpur Road near Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), which is commonly known as “Science Laboratory”. To be more specific, this road has joined the north and south points of Dhanmondi. Mohammadpur bus stand is situated on the north point while Pilkhana’s 4^th gate is on the south point. In the ancient period, this road would take people to this remarkable mosque. With the advancement of time, more roads have been constructed. As a result, people can visit the place from different parts of Dhaka city by different roads. The Seven Domed Mosque is covered by high rise buildings built around it. For this reason, visitors have to find it difficult to get the location. This hidden jewel of the Mughal era is also called as Saat Gombuj Jaame Masjid or Sat Gumbad Mosque.

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History:

There is no accurate information about when and by whom this beautiful mosque was erected. According to some historians, it was built by Shaista Khan when he was a Subahdar and a general in the Mughal army in the Bengal region from 1664 to 1688. On the other hand, some sources claim that it was Umid Khan, son of Shaista Khan, who built this mosque in 1680 AD. So, there may be confusion about whoever and whenever it was built, but it is almost clear that this archaeological site was constructed in the 17^th century. This mosque is similar to Lalbagh Fort Mosque and Khwaja Ambar's Mosque.

Structure:

Seven Domed Mosque is considered as an excellent and unique example of the regional Mughal style of architecture found in Bangladesh. The mosque is built on an elevated platform that can provide accommodation to hundreds of people. The most distinguishable features for which this historical site comes into the attention of the visitors are its seven bulbous domes, which gave the mosque its name. The mosque features three large domes covering the main prayer hall. Adjoining to these three domes, there are four two-stored hollow towers in four corners. On the east side of the mosque, there are three cusped entrance arches through which people enter into the mosque, the middle one being taller than the other two. Three mihrabs on the qibla wall have made it different from other Mughal structures. There is a small gate in front of the mosque. However, this gate is a part of archaeological heritage. On the west side of the mosque, there is a place for ablution (Oju).

A large rectangular garden is placed just after the boundary of the mosque. This garden carries various types of flowers. Different colors of flowers and their continuous dispersal smell attract the tourists. The garden also houses some ancient tombs which are thought to be the graveyards of Mughal aristocrats. The road on the edge of the garden brings an end to the boundary. Just opposite side of the road, there is a one-chambered decorated shrine, which is known as Bibir Mazar (Mausoleum of Bibi). This tomb is thought to be the final resting place of one of Shaista Khan’s daughters.

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If the historians are believed to be true then the mosque was the religious center for people residing in rich agricultural villages called Jafarabad, Sarai Begumpur, Katasur, located in between Pilkhana and Buriganga River. The quay near the mosque was used by the Mughal officials and merchants to arrive at the towns along Brahmaputra river bypassing pirate-infested Shitalakhsya River. If we look at the old painting then we can see that boats and merchant vessels used to be anchored at the quay near the mosque.

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Take a look at the above image of Sat Gambuj Mosque taken during the 60s. Here, you can see that it was situated beside the stream of Buriganga. To be more particular, it was built on the bank of the river. However, if you go there then you cannot see the river but many houses. The river has moved southwards and the tranquil riverbank has been replaced by a big madrassa complex called Jamea Rahmania Arabia. After the end of the Mughal Empire, this historical mosque was abandoned and because of invading vegetation, it was almost destroyed. However, it was first renovated during the Pakistan period. Now, the Department of Archaeology maintains these ancient structures.

Unplanned alterations such as the use of terrazzo on the floor inside the mosque have become the main cause of destroying many of its Mughal features. The Bangladesh government and people related to this sector should take proper care of this property to protect this ancient structure from further careless modification and encroachment.

Location:

After reading the above descriptions, if you feel like visiting this magnificent mosque and want to say a prayer here then you will have to go to the Mohammadpur area. It is very close to the Mohammadpur bus stand. You will find this mosque on the side of a road that goes towards Shia masjid through Bashbari from Katasur of Mohammadpur. Still, if you cannot find the location, you can ask people about its direction and they will show you how to go there. You will be amazed by its tranquil nature and beauty.