Lost Mosque
{{Short description|7th-century mosque in Bangladesh}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Lost Mosque
| native_name = সাহাবায়ে কেরাম মসজিদ
| native_name_lang = bn
| image = Lost Mosque in Bangladesh 1.jpg
| image_upright = 1.4
| caption = The mosque in 2018
| status = Mosque
| functional_status = Active{{cite news |title=Companion Abu Waqqas built the 'Lost Mosque' of Lalmonirhat |url=https://www.bssnews.net/bangla/national/159776 |access-date=15 February 2025 |agency=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha |date=3 November 2024}}
| location = Panchagram, Lalmonirhat, Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila, Rangpur Division
| religious_affiliation = Islam
| coordinates = {{coord|25.859893|N|89.505807|E|type:landmark_region:BD|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| map_type = Bangladesh
| map_size = 250
| map_relief = 1
| map_caption = Location of the mosque in Bangladesh
| country = Bangladesh
| year_completed = {{AH|69|link=yes}}
| founded_by = Companion Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas
| site_area =
| length = {{cvt|6.4|m}}
| width = {{cvt|3|m}}
| dome_quantity =
| minaret_quantity =
| materials = Brick; terracotta
| inscriptions = One
| architecture_style = Islamic
| architecture_type = {{nowrap|Mosque architecture}}
}}
The Lost Mosque also known by its official name, Jame' As-Sahaba ({{Langx|bn|সাহাবায়ে কেরাম মসজিদ}}) is an ancient mosque located in Panchagram, in Lalmonirhat District, in Rangpur Division of Bangladesh.{{cite news |url=https://sadar.lalmonirhat.gov.bd/en/site/tourist_spot/f2qA-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6 |title=Lost Mosque, Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila |newspaper=Bangladesh National Portal |location=Lalmonirhat}} A inscription discovered claims the mosque to be built in {{AH|69|link=yes}}.{{Cite news |date=9 March 2013 |title= Ruins of a Lost Mosque |work=The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/ruins-of-a-lost-mosque-2 |access-date= }}
== History ==
For many years, there existed a desolate jungle in Ramdas Mouza of Panchagram Union, Lalmonirhat district. The locals called this jungle 'Majder Ara,' where 'Ara' signifies a dense, wild area. While clearing the jungle, ancient bricks were discovered. As the soil and bricks were further removed, the foundation of a mosque was unearthed. A study of an ancient inscription found there revealed that the mosque was established in {{AH|69}}.{{cite web |url=http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/harano-masjid/ |title=Harano Masjid |website=Offroad Bangladesh |author=Nayeem}}
=== Inscription ===
A {{convert|6|x|6|x|2|in|cm|order=flip|adj=on}} inscription was discovered within the ruins of the mosque. The inscription was clearly written in Arabic, stating "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah, Hijri year 69".{{Cite news |date=19 February 2011 |title=691 CE. ONE OF THE OLDEST MOSQUES IN THE WORLD. THE 'LOST MOSQUE' OF LALMONIRHAT, BANGLADESH |work=Bangladesh Unlocked |url=https://bangladeshunlocked.blogspot.com/2011/02/701-ce-one-of-oldest-mosques-in-world.html?m=1 }} This historical artifact is now housed in the Tajhat Museum located in Rangpur.{{Cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title= সাহাবি আবু ওয়াক্কাস গড়েছিলেন লালমনিরহাটের 'হারানো মসজিদ' |work=Somoy TV |url=https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2024-03-12/3Y6PSuEx |access-date= }}{{Cite news |date=15 March 2024 |title=Most Oldest Mosques in Bangladesh |work=10 teacher |url=https://10teacher.com/most-oldest-mosques-in-bangladesh/ |access-date= }}
Research
In early 1987, locals alerted journalists and researchers about the discovery of the lost mosque. Subsequently, over a hundred researchers, archaeologists, and historians flocked to the site for investigation.{{Cite news |date=20 September 2019 |title= লালমনিরহাটের রহস্যময় 'হারানো মসজিদ' |work=Desh Rupantor |url=https://www.deshrupantor.com/168726/%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%9F-%E2%80%98%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E2%80%99 |access-date= }}{{Cite news |date=18 August 2012 |title=Remains of ancient mosque found in Bangladesh |work=Al Jazeera English |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7zy_hTIyNA |access-date= }}
Tim Steel,{{who?|date=February 2024|reason=Is naming this guy really significant to the article?}} an advisor at the Tiger Tourism Institution, conducted extensive research on the Lalmonirhat mosque.{{Cite news |date=5 September 2013 |title=Lost mosque |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/heritage/37090/lost-mosques |access-date= }} According to traditional history, Sufis first arrived in the Chittagong region in the 10th century. The spread of Islam in East Bengal began through Sufis in the 11th and 12th centuries, and they are believed to have built the first mosques in the region. Therefore, the existence of a mosque so early in this area is quite astonishing.
Team Steel{{who?|date=February 2024|reason=Is naming this 'team' really significant to the article?}} then contacted the American Institute of Archaeologists. Researchers specializing in Islamic history there pointed to the writings of several Roman and German historians, which mentioned Arab and Roman traders traveling to and from the Brahmaputra basin for maritime trade. Additionally, several ongoing studies have provided evidence that the Brahmaputra-Tista basin was one of the oldest international maritime trade routes in the world. Team Steel{{who?|date=February 2024|reason=Is naming this 'team' really significant to the article?}} also received support from the research of Professor Shah Nawaz, an archaeologist who found evidence of an ancient city in Bhitargarh, Panchagarh. He believed that discovering the history of the mosque's construction might unveil another chapter in the relationship between the history of northern Bangladesh and world civilization.{{Cite news |date=4 February 2020 |title=১৩৩০ বছরের পুরোনো সাহাবা মসজিদ লালমনিরহাটে পুনঃনির্মিত হচ্ছে |work=Jago News 24 |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/religion/news/556976 |access-date= }}{{Cite news |date=28 February 2020 |title=লালমনিরহাটে তেরশত ত্রিশ বছরের পুরোনো সাহাবা মসজিদ |work=Janakantha |url=https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/bangladesh/news/483500 |access-date= }}
Gallery
Lost Mosque in Bangladesh 1.jpg|New mosque
Majader Ara.jpg|Inscription
Lost Mosque in Bangladesh 4.jpg|Main part
Lost Mosque in Bangladesh 3.jpg|Ruins
Lost Mosque (16).jpg|Main part
Lost Mosque in Bangladesh 6.jpg|Ancient minbar
Lost Mosque in Bangladesh 5.jpg|Current minbar
Lost Mosque-Sahaba Mosque, হারানো মসজিদ-সাহাবা মসজিদ (New interior & remains) 2021.jpg|The prayer room and ruins, in 2021
See also
{{stack|{{portal|Bangladesh|Islam}}}}
References
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons Category|Lost Mosque}}
- [https://www.aljazeera.com/video/asia/2012/08/201281852948844588.html Ancient mosque unearthed in Bangladesh]
{{Mosques in Bangladesh}}