Islam Mosque (Baba Adam's Mosque of Munshiganj)

The Munshiganj Mosque is one of the ancient mosques of Bangladesh. This mosque is also known as Baba Adam’s Mosque. Baba Adam’s Mosque bears the mature form of the sultanate mosque style of Bangladesh. This mosque shows all the decorative and architectural characteristics of the sultanate architecture of Bengal. It is situated in the village of Kazi Qasba under Rikabibazar Union in Rampal Thana of Munshiganj district. It is a six-domed mosque. The rectangular measures internally 10.35m x 6.75m and externally 14.30m x 11.45m; the thickness of the wall is about 2m. This mosque is divided into two aisles and three bays. Baba Adam's Mosque is roofed over by six uniform hemispherical domes. The mosque is built, but the freestanding pillars and engaged pilasters are made of stone. All the entrances and mihrabs are recessed within rectangular frames. The arches are supported on faceted small pillars and decorated with a beautiful terracotta floral design and a hanging motif. The construction of this mosque started in 1479 AD. Three years later the construction completed. An inscription, fixed above the central doorway in the east records 1483 AD/888AH as the date of construction of the mosque. Malik Kafur built it during the reign of Sultan Fath Shah. But it was familiar by the name of Baba Adam’s. He was an Islamic preacher in the time of King Ballal Sen. Baba Adam’s killed in a holy war by the king. There is a tomb known as Baba Adam’s Mazar besides the mosque. His dead-body was burial beside the mosque. It is difficult to ascertain the historicity of this tomb due to lack of authentic sources. There is a newly built small tomb structure situated on the south-east side of the courtyard of the mosque. Baba Adam’s is now a protected monument under the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh. This is a nice historical place.