MUNSHIGANJ, Oct 11, 2025 (BSS) - Baba Adam (R.A.) Mosque in Munshiganj is one of the oldest mosques in Bangladesh. Built in the Sultanate period, the mosque reflects the distinctive architectural and ornamental style of that era. 

It stands as a historical and archaeological monument - a witness to the fall of the Sena dynasty and the establishment of Muslim rule in Bikrampur.

Located in the village of Kazi Kasba (now known as Dargabari) under the present Mir Kadim Municipality - near the historic Ramapal area of Bikrampur - the beautifully ornate six-domed mosque is about 542 years old. 

The mosque is situated four kilometers northwest of Munshiganj town. It is covered by six equal-sized domes arranged in two rows, showcasing superb craftsmanship.

According to history and local traditions, the mosque was named after the Sufi saint and martyr Baba Adam (R.A.), who came to Bikrampur during the reign of King Ballal Sena to preach Islam.

The mosque bears the architectural features and ornamental motifs typical of the Sultanate period. Like other mosques from that era, its cornices and roof are curved. 

Although there is no inscription about its naming, a stone plaque installed on the mosque's front wall indicates that it was built by Malik Kafur Shah, son of Sultan Jalaluddin Abu Zafar Shah, during the reign of Sultan Fateh Shah, for the purpose of earning spiritual merit.

Construction began in 1479 and was completed in 1483, more than 300 years after the martyrdom of Baba Adam (R.A.).

The six-domed Baba Adam Mosque is built on a rectangular foundation. Its length from north to south is 43 feet and its width from east to west is 36 feet. There are four octagonal minarets at the four corners of the mosque. 

The walls, about 6.5 feet thick, are made of red burnt clay bricks of various sizes (10, 7, 6, and 5 inches). Inside, two gray granite columns rise from the floor - octagonal up to four feet, then sixteen-sided above - supporting the six domes.

The interior is divided into three bays and two aisles, with three mihrabs on the western wall. The main and side mihrabs, as well as the surrounding walls, feature intricate terracotta floral and geometric patterns. 

Above the mihrabs are beautiful double-tiered decorative panels, and the rear wall displays three-layered terracotta ornamentation. The mosque's fa‡ade has three arched entrances, finely carved with chain and bell motifs; only the central arch is currently used.

According to historical accounts, after the Muslim victory over the Sena dynasty, a mosque was built at the site where Baba Adam was martyred. A Persian inscription (in Tughra script) on the front wall states that Malik Kafur constructed the mosque in Rajab 888 Hijri (1483 AD) to earn divine blessings.

The mosque has no windows or veranda. Local legend says its walls were once adorned with precious stones, later looted by Magh pirates. 

Historian Shri Jogendranath Gupta, in his book "History of Bikrampur", noted that an earthquake once destroyed three domes, which were later restored. 

In earlier times, women of both Hindu and Muslim communities would visit the mosque to make vows and seek blessings.

Many legends about Baba Adam (R.A.) circulate in Bikrampur, most relating to his battle with King Ballal Sena. Historically, Baba Adam came to Bikrampur to preach Islam when Hindu and Buddhist rulers governed the region. 

There are several folk legends mentioned in "The Romance of an Eastern Capital" regarding the death of Sena King Ballal Sen and the construction of the Baba Adam Mosque.

According to popular belief, a Muslim from Kanaichang field of Abdullahpur village, near Rampal, slaughtered a cow and fled from Bikrampur to Mecca fearing persecution by King Ballal Sen. 

Seeking justice against Ballal's oppression, he appealed to Baba Adam (R.A.). to protect the Muslims from Ballal's tyranny, Baba Adam set out for Bikrampur with seven thousand soldiers. 

After arriving in Bengal, he established a camp at Kazi Kasba village, near King Ballal Sen's capital, Rampal, and built a mosque there, naming it after himself - Baba Adam Mosque.

Another version of the legend says that Baba Adam (R.A.) came to Bengal from Mecca and set up his tent at Kazi Kasba near Rampal. When King Ballal Sen learned of his arrival through his spies, he marched to Kazi Kasba to kill Baba Adam.

However, when he failed to strike him down during prayer, as instructed by Baba Adam, Ballal Sen dropped his own sword and used Baba Adam's sword to kill him instead. 

Miraculously, a mosque was said to have been built overnight at the exact place where Baba Adam had been praying. Since then, it has been known as the Baba Adam Mosque.

Whatever the legend may be, the Baba Adam Mosque became a center for the spread of Islam in Bikrampur.

According to the Archaeological Survey of India (1927-1928), the Archaeology Department of India once carried out renovation work on the mosque. Since then, it has not been renovated for a long time, except for the construction of an iron fence around it in 1991. 

The mosque has been under the supervision of the Department of Archaeology since 1948. 

The Baba Adam Mosque is not only a heritage site of Munshiganj but also a significant historical monument of the entire subcontinent. In 1991, the Bangladesh Postal Department issued a postage stamp featuring this mosque.

The mosque's Khatib (chief cleric) Md. Sanaullah said, "I have led prayers in many mosques, but I have never felt such peace anywhere else. Even though there are no doors or windows, the mosque remains cool during summer and warm during winter."

"Many devotees come here for prayer, and due to the crowd, space inside the mosque often becomes insufficient. As there is no veranda, prayers are sometimes held under the open sky," he added.

Former mayor of Mirkadim Municipality and president of the mosque committee, Mohammad Hossain Renu, said, "The mosque stands as a witness to hundreds of years of Muslim heritage, though now it is in a dilapidated condition. Cracks have appeared in the roof, and rainwater leaks through. Since it is under the Archaeology Department, we cannot take any initiative for repairs on our own."