Sultanate Architecture found at Chhota Sona Masjid, Attractions, Bangladesh
In the town of Gaur, visitors to Bangladesh will find a religious attraction that has often been described as one of the most breathtaking examples of Sultanate architecture. It has not been determined exactly what year the Chhota Sona Masjid was constructed, but as the plaque on the structure indicates that the mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Hussain Shah, it can be narrowed down to between the years of 1493 and 1519. The magnificent fifteen domes of the mosque were once gilded in gold, giving the mosque the name of Small Golden Mosque or as it is generally known, the Chhota Sona Masjid.
The Chhota Sona Masjid looks like a simple rectangular Rajmahal black stone structure at first glance, but visitors are always amazed at the countless features and surprises that await them on this inside. As with many historical buildings in Bangladesh, the massive earthquake of the 1800’s did cause some damage to the mosque, but enough remains to impress upon the visitor, the wonders and magnificence that this mosque once held. The mosque was divided into fifteen units, with each unit fulfilling a specific role within the mosque. Stone pillars, breathtaking archways, intricate mihrabs, terracotta art and delicate finishes that have survived through the centuries assist visitors in envisioning how the mosque must have look upon completion. As the Chhota Sona Magjid is the best preserved structure of its kind in Bangladesh, it is under the protection of the Department of Archeology, to prevent any further damage and to preserve the original building, as best they can.