Shat Gombuj Mosque

Hazrat Sayed Shah Rasti (R.A) is a celebrated Sufi Muslim figure in Bengal. Shah Rasti's name is associated with the Muslim movement into north-eastern Bengal and the spread of Islam in Bangladesh. He spread Islam in Bangladesh through Sufism, part of the long history of travel between the Middle East, Central Asia, Indian Subcontinent and East Asia. He was buried in Chandpur, Bangladesh, formerly known as Shahrasti, while the Thana, post office, Upazila, and School are named in his honor.

Early life and education: Shahrast's date and place of birth is not certain. He was Born in Mecca, Arab and later moved to Bagdad, Iraq as a child with his family. He excelled in his studies a studied in Islamic study and Islamic theology. He achieved spiritual perfection (Kamaliyyah) after years of study and meditation.

Travel to India: According to legend, He came in India with a group of Muslim saints. All saints had a handful of soil, they had to choose to settle and propagate Islam in any place in India where the soil exactly matched. Shahrasti reached India in c.1300. He matched the soil with the soil of Camilla and stayed on a hill. But the place was wrong. After that, a tiger came to him to the right place where the soil exactly matched that later life.

During the later stages of his life, Shahrasti devoted himself propagating Islam. Under His guidance, thousands of Hindus and Buddhists converted to Islam. His brother Sayed Shah Mahbub and two companions were with him. He was unmarried; his Brother Shah Mahbub’s son Sayed Shah Giasuddin was his successor and descendant. His descendants are still living in beside the Dargah. He is buried in Chandpur in his Dargah (Tomb), which is located in Shahrasti, the area is named in his honor. His shrine is famous in Chandpur and throughout Bangladesh, with hundreds of devotes visiting daily.

This is known as Dhuni Chawk Mosque (ধুনি চক মসজিদ) and located at Shibganj (শিবগঞ্জ) of Chapai Nawabganj (চাপাই নবাবগঞ্জ) district of Bangladesh. Near the area of Sona Mosque (সোনা মসজিদ), there are few more archaic edifices available, this mosque is one of those.

This is a six domed mosque. It was completely dilapidated and only few walls were available. But the government totally renovated this mosque recently. There is no road available to reach near to the mosque. You have to walk through the mango garden and beside the fields. You have to rely on your GPS (24°49'54.71"N, 88° 9'1.17"E) device, or the local villagers to be you on the correct route.

No inscription was found near the mosque to know its age. The people who lived near the mosque at past were cotton carder in occupation. In Bengali, the cotton carder means Dhuni (ধুনি). Using this word, later the mosque was named as Dhuni Chawk Mosque (ধুনি চক মসজিদ).

Nawabbari Mosque of Dhonbari is built at the outside of the Nawab Manzil premise, so that local people can access it during their prayer time. Initially, Nawabbari Mosque of Dhonbari was an old fashioned three domes mosque similar to the other ancient mosques from Bangladesh. But later this mosque was extended to accommodate more people. Extended part is having 10/12 minarets at top which are similar to Persian design. This extension with the old fashioned mosque made it a hybrid looking mosque. Not enough antiquities are left now a days.

But still, you'll love to see this mosque. It’s neat and clean everywhere. Apart from the mosque, there are few micro edifices are available around the mosque. I am not sure what those are.

There are few old graves available at the graveyard which is at the western side of the mosque. Since 1929, after the death of Nawab Ali Choudhury (নবাব আলী চৌধুরী) the Holy Qur'an has been recited continually beside his grave.

জনসাধারণ যেন নামাজ পড়তে পারেন সেজন্য এই মসজিদটি নবাব মঞ্জিলের সীমানার বাইরে নির্মাণ করা হয়েছিল। বাংলাদেশের অন্যান্য প্রাচীন মসজিদের মত এটিও একটি তিনগম্বুজ বিশিষ্ট মসজিদ ছিল। পরবর্তীতে ধারনক্ষমতা বাড়ানোর জন্য মসজিদটিকে বর্ধিত করা হয়। মসজিদটির বর্ধিত অংশে পারস্য নকশার সাথে মিল রেখে ১০ টি থেকে ১২ টি মিনার নির্মাণ করা হয়। বর্ধিতকরনের কারনে মসজিদটির প্রাচীন বৈশিষ্ট্য অনেকাংশেই লোপ পেয়েছে।

তবে এখনও পরিষ্কার পরিছন্ন মসজিদটি দেখে আপনার ভাল লাগবে। মসজিদের আশেপাশে কিছু ক্ষুদ্রাকৃতির স্তম্ভ রয়েছে যদিও এসব কি এবং কেন এখানে রয়েছে তা জানা যায়নি। মসজিদের পশ্চিমে অবস্থিত কবরস্থানে কিছু প্রাচীন কবর রয়েছে। ১৯২৯ সালে নবাব আলী চৌধুরীর মৃত্যুর পর তাঁর কবরের পাশে সবসময় পবিত্র কোরআন শরীফ পড়া হয়ে আসছে।

In every single part of Bangladesh there are some Archaeological & Historical remains, which has enriched our cultural history. Lack of awareness and proper knowledge in common people results in gradual ruining of many Historical & Archaeological sites in our country.

One of the great example of deteriorations of an Archaeological site in Narsingdi district is ‘Single domed Mosque and Tomb of Shah Mansur’ located at Kumradi, Shibpur upazila.

It was built in eighteenth century by a Muslim saint named Shah Mansur. In course of time, the existence of the mosque is totally replaced by a new built Madrasa. But, still now the remaining of ‘Tomb of Shan Mansur’ is existing, although it is hard to assume how the original structure was.

Architectural Property and Layout:

Tomb of Shah Mansur, A massive structure which is architecturally rich and decorated with different kinds of design. It is in rectangular shape and built in very unique way. In the western wall of this building there are five arch shaped entrance, among them middle one is open and decorated with multi foil design. Others are Closed arch & also contains the same design like the opened one. The southern side of the tomb is severely disturbed, broken and ruined. Main entrance of the tomb is totally vanished, but still we can observe some three archways very close to the grave of Shah Mansur. It seems like there are two grave inside the building. We assume that other grave might be Shah Mansur’s wife.

There is another unique structure situated in the southern side of the tomb. It is just a square shaped Minar containing open space inside of it, in the roof top it contains a bulbous shaped dome. It has four arch shaped ways in four brick wall.

In the most eastern part of this tomb there is a large pond. Which is probably same years old as the tomb is.

Myth related to this Structure:

There are several myths interrelated with this feature. People say that Shah Mansur used to pet a tiger inside of square shaped structure which is situated in the eastern side of the tomb. Although, It’s a myth but it contains some evidences which might prove it true. Inside of this square shaped structure there are two iron’s ring attached with brick wall.

And it is also said, Once there were some big fishes in the pond. Local people believe that, those fish were actually cursed human being and for this reason they buried those death fish in a grave yard near to Pond.

Present Condition and Immediate Conservation Issue:

Present condition of the features situated in this complex is in very sensitive condition. One domed Mosque built by Shah Mansur is vanished and a new Madrasa replacing it. The tomb of Shah Mansur is near to destruction. The whole brick building contains several banyan tree and different species of trees.
The unique square shaped Minar is also near to ruin. Beside this structure there is bathroom built very recently for Madrasa students.

Immediate steps should be taken to conserve and preserve these features from its deterioration.