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| Kherua Mosque Stands with Four and a Half Centuries of Heritage |
Explore the Kherua Mosque in Sherpur, Bogura. Built in 1582, this 16th-century monument is a stunning blend of Sultanate and Mughal architectural styles. A top historical site in Bangladesh.
Standing in the green, secluded environment of Sherpur, Bogura, the Kherua Mosque is one of the oldest relics of Muslim architecture in Bangladesh. Carrying nearly four and a half centuries of history, this structure continues to mesmerize visitors with its unique construction style and spiritual atmosphere. Kherua Mosque is one of the historic mosques in the country that holds special significance in terms of architecture and artistic value.
Located in the village of Khandakartola, approximately 23 kilometers away from Bogura city, the mosque's enclosing boundary wall is visible before entering. Inside, the founder's grave can be seen, which further brings the history of the mosque to life.
Historical information states that the foundation stone for this mosque, built by combining Sultanate and Mughal architecture, was laid by Abdus Samad Fakir, who arrived from Arabia. Construction began in 989 Hijri or 1582 AD under the patronage of Mirza Nawab Murad Khan. The external length of this north-south facing structure is 57 feet and the width is 24 feet. The inner part is comparatively smaller—45 feet long and 12 feet wide. The six-foot-thick walls bear testimony to the construction strength of that era.
The three-domed mosque has four minarets at its four corners. There are three doors on the eastern wall and two doors on the north and south sides—a total of five entrances. Inside there are three mihrabs, whose arches, ordered designs below the cornices, and decorations reveal the beauty of the Mughal architectural style. Some terracotta decorations still survive on the walls, though their number is very limited.
Besides the bricks, lime, and shurki (brick dust) used in construction, large black stones have enhanced the mosque's permanence. There were once two inscriptions on the front wall of the mosque. It is believed that valuable resources were preserved inside one of the inscriptions, which was later utilized. The other inscription is currently preserved in the Karachi Museum. The architectural style of Akbar's reign—the brick arrangement, vertical panels, and floral and vine designs—are all clearly visible on the walls.
The mosque, which was damaged by neglect in the nineties, was renovated through an initiative by the Department of Archaeology. However, the unpaved path leading to the mosque remains a source of inconvenience for visitors even today.
Local resident Samad Mia said that foreign tourists, in addition to those from different parts of the country, come to see this mosque. In his opinion, improving the communication system would further increase the number of visitors and enable the new generation to gain deep knowledge about traditional Muslim architecture.
The mosque's Muezzin, Md. Zubair, stated that this mosque is one of the oldest structures from the Muslim era in the area. Abdus Samad Fakir decided to build the mosque here after observing the local settlement and completed the construction with the help of Mirza Murad Khan.
He further mentioned that worshippers of all ages regularly participate in prayers, but the mosque would become more public-friendly if renovated under government initiative.
The unique combination of history, architecture, and heritage has made the Kherua Mosque not just a place of worship, but a valuable asset of the country's cultural heritage. In the future, if better communication systems are developed, this structure could emerge as a new potential in the tourism sector.