Shankarpasha Mosque of Habiganj carries 600 years of heritage
From engraved inscriptions, it can be found that the mosque was completed in 1513 by Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah, in the memory of Shah Majlis-e-Amin, one of the saints who came to spread Islam in the region along with saint Hazrat Sahjalal (R)
ATT Desk Report 
The Shankarpasha Shahi Jame Mosque in Habiganj, adorned with exquisite architectural designs, has been carrying the legacy of nearly 600 years. Since its construction, the mosque has never undergone any renovation. As the Department of Archaeology has taken it under its control, local residents are also unable to carry out any repair work. Despite this, visitors from different parts of the country flock to the mosque every day to see the historic structure.
According to Wikipedia, from engraved inscriptions, it can be found that the mosque was completed in 1513 by Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah, On the memory of Shah Majlis-e-Amin, one of the Saints who came to spread Islam in the region along with Saint Sahjalal (R). His mazar is located next to the mosque.
The sideview of the Shankarpasha Shahi Jame Mosque. Photo: Wikipedia
According to Banglapedia, it was built sometime between 1494 and 1499 AD. As years passed, the area became entrapped in dense vegetation and forest land. Recently, this mosque has been discovered again.
Locals say the Shahi Jame Mosque was built in Shankarpasha village under Rajiura union of Habiganj Sadar upazila during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah. Initially it was named Shankarpasha Shahi Jame Mosque, but it is now widely known as Uchail Shahi Jame Mosque.
The striking red mosque instantly catches the eye from afar. A graveyard surrounds the structure, while to the south stands the shrine of Hazrat Shah Majlis Amin (RA), a companion of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) during his travels. Almost every day, people from different parts of the country visit the shrine and the mosque, making the place a steady draw for devotees and sightseers alike.
It is a one-storey building. The building has the same length and width which is 6.55 metres (21 ft 6 in). The width of the verandah is slightly above 0.91 metres (3 ft) wide. It has four domes; with one large dome on the main building and three smaller domes on the verandah. There are 15 doors and windows, almost equal in size. The thickness of the walls are all approximately 1.5 metres (5 ft), apart from the western wall, which is approximately 3.0 metres (10 ft). It has six decorative pillars in the four corners of the main hall and two corners of the verandah. There is a large pond behind the mosque. The mosque has three doorways, with the middle one much larger than the others. There is a small minaret, that is not attached to the mosque.
A portion of the wall of the mosque decorated with intricate craftsmanship from ancient times. Photo: Wikipedia
This historical mosque is significant for many reasons. It has equal importance to both historians and architectures. Its architectural style carries the tradition of Bangladesh. Both the interior and exterior of the mosque are decorated with intricate craftsmanship from ancient times. Faded Arabic inscriptions can be seen on different parts of the walls, though many of them are now barely legible. Even so, the delicate ornamentation is enough to soothe the eyes of any visitor. However, no initiative has been taken to renovate the mosque for a long time.
The walls of the mosque are about five feet thick and it has four domes, though it has no mimbar. Only about 40 worshippers can offer prayers inside the mosque at a time, while another 10 can pray on the veranda.
Visitors from different parts of the country, along with local residents, have demanded renovation of the mosque. They believe that if the ancient structure is restored and proper communication facilities are ensured, the mosque could firmly establish itself as a proud bearer of historical heritage.
Local resident Abdul Malek said the mosque now needs renovation. “If it is restored, more tourists from across the country will come to see it,” he said. Jasim Uddin, who came from Habiganj, said he lives abroad and first learned about the mosque through the internet. “So today I came to see it with my own eyes. It is truly beautiful and aesthetically impressive,” he added.
Md Bazlul Haque, who has been serving as the imam of the mosque for 45 years, said no one can say with certainty the exact history of the mosque. “Many people call it a mysterious mosque, but I have heard that it was built during the reign of Shah Alauddin Hussain Shah. The last renovation was carried out during the government of Ershad. Since then, no repair work has been done, and now it badly needs restoration,” he said.
Monirul Islam Badal, general secretary of the mosque management committee, also stressed the need for renovation. He said that restoring the mosque would not only enhance its beauty but also increase the number of visitors. “Work on the boundary wall is still unfinished, and if we can repair some parts at the front, even more visitors will be encouraged to come,” he added.
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