The historic Gholdari Shahi Mosque -Photo: BSS

By Bipul Ashraf

CHUADANGA, April 6, 2026 (BSS) - The historic Gholdari Shahi Mosque, located in Gholdari village under Ailhash Union of Alamdanga upazila in the district, stands as a remarkable architectural relic adorned with ancient craftsmanship. 

It is widely recognized as one of the oldest landmarks in the southwestern region. According to local belief, the mosque is more than a thousand years old.

Locals believe that around 1006 AD (Bengali year 413), Hazrat Khairul Bashar Omz (RA) constructed the mosque in Gholdari village of Alamdanga upazila with the aim of spreading Islam. 

Historians note that the Gholdari Mosque was built long before the conquest of Nadia by Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji. As a witness to heritage, the mosque still stands today.

It is believed that at some point in the first century, Hazrat Khairul Bashar Omz (RA) arrived in Alamdanga through river route. Upon his arrival, the riverbank ended in the Gholdari area, where a few settlements already existed. 

He established a base in Gholdari village to spread Islam and began his missionary activities from there. During this time, he constructed a mosque in the village, which is now known as the Gholdari Jame Mosque. After his death, he was buried in the mosque premises.

The mosque was built following Mughal architectural style. It is square in shape, with notably thick walls. 

The structure features three domes on top and four minarets at its corners. Constructed with red bricks and a mixture of lime and surki, the mosque walls are intricately carved with floral and vine motifs, reflecting the skilled craftsmanship of the artisans of that era.

Adjacent to the main minaret are two rows where 20 to 25 worshippers could once offer prayers. Over time, however, the mosque has undergone modernization. It has been renovated several times.

There is also a popular belief that the mosque was miraculously constructed in a single day. A large ancient pond located beside the mosque continues to attract visitors.
The mosque’s muezzin, Mohammad Ainuddin, said that around 1006 AD, a man named Mohammad Khairul Bashar built the mosque. 

While the original structure still exists, several renovations have been carried out later. 

Previously, only a limited number of worshippers could pray in two rows in the old structure, but now around a hundred people can offer prayers at a time. Every Friday, many people make vows at the mosque. 

Devotees come from distant areas to perform Jumma prayers. Some believe that the mosque was built overnight by jinn, but this information is incorrect, as the mosque was not constructed in a single night.

Md. Minarul Islam, a resident of Gholdari village, said that the mosque is known as the first established Jame mosque of the then greater Kushtia district (Kushtia–Chuadanga–Meherpur). It is located about one kilometer southeast of Gholdari Bazaar.

He added that due to its ancient heritage, people from far and wide visit the mosque. Although parts of its walls have deteriorated over time due to lack of maintenance, its beauty remains intact. The intricate designs of the mosque are captivating. 

As the first Muslim architectural structure of the district with a thousand-year heritage, the mosque is in need of renovation, locals observed.