Bangladesh
Bagerhat
The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat comprises the remains of a 15th-century city renowned for its early Muslim architecture.
Bagerhat, the historical Khalifatabad, was founded by Khan Jahan, an Islamic preacher probably of Turkic origin. He adorned the city with mosques, roads, bridges, palaces and reservoirs constructed from baked brick. He established all of this within a short time span while introducing a distinct architectural style. The unique Shait-Gumbad mosque is a central feature.
Community Perspective: the site essentially consists of two locations a few km apart - the impressive main mosque and the mausoleum which attracts plenty of local worshippers. Those who have visited the Bangladeshi Hindu temples (from a later period) will notice the “similarity of building materials and, to some extent, style and decoration”.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat (ID: 321)
- Country
- Bangladesh
- Status
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Inscribed 1985
Site history
History of Bagerhat
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
- iv
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- archaeology.portal.gov.bd — Department of Archaelogy
Community Information
- Community Category
- Religious structure: Islamic
Travel Information
Recent Connections
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Ganges Basin
On the Bhairab river, considered a trib… -
Selected for the "Preserving Legacies" project
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World Monuments Watch (past)
2022See www.wmf.org
Connections of Bagerhat
- Geography
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Ganges Basin
On the Bhairab river, considered a tributary of the Ganges
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- Trivia
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On Banknotes
Khan Jahan's shrine, 50 Taka issued 2003 -
On Passports
Bangladesh passport (Shat Gombuj mosque)See www.flickr.com
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- Architecture
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Domes
has nearly sixty big domes -
Indo-Islamic architecture
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- World Heritage Process
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Incorrect UNESCO 'Number of locations'
shown as only having a single location but apparently having 2. "Today,the monuments of Khalifata-bad, which have been partially disengaged from the vegetation, may be divided into two principal zones 6.5 kms apart : to the West, around the mosque of Shait Gurrbad, renowned for its large prayer room, divided into seven longitudinal naves; and to the East, around the mausoleum of Khan Jahan. More than 50 monuments have been catalogued: in the first group, the mosques of Singar, Bibi Begni and Clumakkola; and in the second, the mosques of Reza Khoda, Zindavir and Ranvijoypur." (AB evaluation). -
Inscribed on a single criterion only
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history -
First inscriptions
Bangladesh: two inscriptions in 1985, with Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat as the lowest number
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- Religion and Belief
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Sufism
Founded by the Sufi Satin Khan Jahan. His mausoleum is within the inscribed area. -
Notable mosques
Mosque of Shait Gumbad (or Sixty Dome Mosque) and several others - 15th century - Sunni
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- Constructions
- WHS on Other Lists
- Timeline
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Built in the 15th century
Constructed first half of 15th century (AB)
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- Visiting conditions
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Foreigner prices
20 taka for Bangladeshi, 200 take for foreigners -
Discriminatory Entry Policies
Khan Jahan's tomb - Men Only
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News
No news.
Recent Visitors
Reserved for members.Community Reviews
Show full reviews
I had been there once to visit the sites including the tomb of Khan Jahan Ali. Beautiful places. The mosque built in a unique architectural fashion and also managed nicely up to this time. There is an amazing pond full of fresh water in front of the Tomb of the Saint Khan Jahan Ali. I strongly recommend the tourists to visit the site.
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The lost city of Bagerhat now mainly consists of a number of mosques and the tomb of its founder, Khan Jahan. We start our tour at the 60-tower mosque (there are actually 77). Because a service is about to start, we do a quick round on the inside. 60 pillars, now mostly covered in cement, hold the roof of this largest mosque of its time.
On the other side of the road is another small mosque, built in the traditional brick style. A few kilometers down the road is the shrine of Khan Jahan. This still is an active site of worship. It attracts both visitors and beggars.
Because it's Friday when we visit, the museum is closed and the mosques are reserved for praying. There are a lot of Bangladeshi daytrippers around. Most of them are gathered near the large pond behind the Khan Jahan tomb. They are staring at / feeding a crocodile that lives in this pond.
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These inscribed monuments are titled “Bagherat” after the modern town situated nearby but are in reality those from city of Khalifatabad built in the 15th century by the Turkish Sufi general Khan Jahan Ali who became widely known as a warrior-saint. Little of the city remains visible apart from a number of Islamic buildings – mainly mosques, but also the tomb of Khan Jahan himself. These are important architecturally for being pre-Mughul in design. However the location is perhaps more highly revered by Bangladeshis as the country’s Islamic cradle than the buildings might appear to justify to the average non Bangladeshi visitor or architectural expert!
The site is easy to get to from Khulna (and fits in well with a visit to the WHS of The Sundarbans) but the mosques are scattered in 2 main groups across several kilometres and require time to visit even if you have a car. The most significant building, is that of the Shait Gumbad Mosque (photo) said to be “the most magnificent traditional mosque in the country”. There are at least 7 other mosques to visit – mainly small square or rectangular buildings in brick with terracotta decoration and varying numbers of domes. At the Shait Gumba you are likely to be welcomed and shown the interior by the friendly Imam but you will probably be the only person around as you search out the other mosques by following footpaths among fields and ponds – in itself a pleasant way of spending time! The …
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