Nasrat Gazi Mosque

{{Short description|Ancient mosque and archaeological site in Barisal, Bangladesh}}

{{Infobox religious building

| name = Nasrat Ghazi Mosque

| native_name = নসরত গাজীর মসজিদ

| native_name_lang = bn

| image = নসরত গাজীর মসজিদ ভবন.jpg

| image_upright = 1.4

| religious_affiliation = Islam

| organisational_status = Mosque

| administration = Department of Archaeology

| consecration_year =

| functional_status = Active

| location = Bakerganj, Barisal District

| country = Bangladesh

| map_type = Bangladesh

| map_size = 250

| map_alt =

| map_relief = yes

| map_caption = Location of the mosque in Bangladesh

| coordinates = {{coord|22.5526|90.4399|region:BD_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| heritage_designation =

| founded_by = Nasrat Ghazi

| year_completed = 1532 CE

| length = {{cvt|4.5|m}}

| width = {{cvt|4.5|m}}

| dome_quantity = One

}}

The Nasrat Ghazi Mosque ({{langx|bn|নসরত গাজীর মসজিদ}}, {{langx|ar|مسجد نصرت غازي}}) is a 16th-century one-domed mosque and archaeological site located in the village of Middle Sialguni in Bakerganj Upazila, part of the Barisal District of southern Bangladesh.{{cite Banglapedia |article=Bakerganj Upazila |author=Mizanur Rahman, Muhammad}} The mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah.{{cite web |script-title=bn:উপজেলার ঐতিহ্য |trans-title=Tradition of the upazila |url=http://www.bakerganj.barisal.gov.bd/site/page/afd6af6d-17a2-11e7-9461-286ed488c766/%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%90%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF |website=bakerganj.barisal.gov.bd |language=bn |access-date=29 September 2019}}

Architecture

This one-domed mosque is built on a square ground-plan which acts as an eidgah. The mosque is made of lime mortar and thin square bricks. The length and width of the interior of the mosque is a little over {{convert|4.5|m}}, while the walls are {{convert|1.43|m}} thick. The exterior of the mosque has four octagonal pillars in the four corners. There are arched entrances on the east, south and north sides. However, the north and south entrances are currently being used as two windows. The inner western wall of the mosque has a mihrab. In addition, there are four small mihrabs and lamps on the north and south walls. The walls, cornices and pillars of the mosque are decorated with flowers and foliage.

History

The mosque was constructed in 1532 CE, the final year of Sultan Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah's reign. It is said Nasrat Ghazi established this mosque; and hence its name.{{cite book |chapter=নসরাত গাজির মসজিদ, বাখরগঞ্জ |script-title=bn:বৃহত্তর বরিশালের ঐতিহাসিক নিদর্শন |trans-title=Historical sites of Greater Barisal |author=Bulbul, Saiful Ahsan |year=2012 |location=Dhaka |publisher=Gotidhara |language=bn |isbn=9789848945926}} To the north, west and south side of the mosque, there are ancient graves, although none of them belong to Nasrat Ghazi.{{cite web |script-title=bn:বাকেরগঞ্জ উপজেলা |url=http://www.bakerganj.barisal.gov.bd/site/page/afd6af6d-17a2-11e7-9461-286ed488c766/%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%90%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF |website=bakerganj.barisal.gov.bd |access-date=29 September 2019 |language=bn}}

The mosque is under the protection of the Bangladeshi Department of Archaeology,{{cite web |script-title=bn:বরিশাল বিভাগের পুরাকীর্তি |trans-title=Barisal Division |url=http://archaeology.portal.gov.bd/site/page/ccb66590-fce8-440f-ae4a-d2a3ac787929/ |website=Department of Archaeology |access-date=29 September 2019 |language=bn}} though it continues to be actively used by worshippers, even for iftar gatherings and tarawih sessions. The mosque was renovated in 2000, and again in 2015. A modern building has been constructed next to the mosque to increase the capacity of worshippers for daily prayers although the Nasrat Gazi mosque acts as the main prayer hall for the imam.{{cite news |trans-title=Iftar and khatm tarawih held at Nasrat Ghazi's mosque |script-title=bn:নসরত গাজীর মসজিদে ইফতার ও খতম তারাবি |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/opar-mohimar-ramadan/news/bd/718553.details |work=Banglanews24.com |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=29 September 2019 |author=Saurav, Mushfiq |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524171309/https://www.banglanews24.com/opar-mohimar-ramadan/news/bd/718553.details |archive-date=24 May 2019}}