Shankarpasha Shahi Masjid, 15th century mosque in Habiganj Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh.
Shankarpasha Shahi Masjid is a brick building with a square footprint measuring about 21 feet on each side, topped with one large central dome and three smaller domes on the front verandah. The structure has fifteen doors and windows, with three main entrances on the eastern side designed to accommodate around one hundred worshippers.
Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah commissioned the construction of this mosque between 1494 and 1499 as a tribute to Shah Majlis-e-Amin, a figure who helped spread Islam throughout the region. This period saw increased Islamic influence expanding through the area under royal patronage.
The prayer niche displays decorated patterns with four-petalled flowers and rosettes that reflect local Islamic traditions from medieval times. These carved details show the care craftspeople put into creating a sacred space for worship.
The building is easy to approach through the main entrances on the eastern side, where visitors can find clear routes into the structure. The best time to visit is outside prayer times when you can explore the interior without disruption.
The walls of this brick building are remarkably thick, ranging from about 5 to 10 feet, with the western wall being the most substantial. This thickness provided great structural stability and was typical of important religious buildings from that era.
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