Dholeshwar Hanafia Mosque: A 150-year-old witness to history

The historic Dholeshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque in South Keraniganj has stood up as a witness to history for nearly 150 years, preserving the religious and architectural heritage of the region.

The mosque, located in Dholeshwar village under Konda union of Keraniganj, is regarded as a symbol of history and tradition and a source of pride for local residents and worshippers. Although it has undergone several rounds of renovation over the years, its original design and architectural character have largely been preserved.

The mosque has also attracted visitors from home and abroad because of its distinctive architecture and historical significance.

The construction works of the mosque began in 1868, corresponding to 1275 in the Bangla calendar and 1285 in the Hijri calendar, under the initiative of Daroga Aminuddin Ahmad.

As he was the principal initiator of its construction, the mosque was locally known as the "Daroga Mosque."

According to information displayed on a signboard at the mosque, an extension was first constructed in 1968, while the latest major renovation was carried out in 2018.

A new mosque has since been built beside the old structure. As a result, the historic mosque is now used as a library and maktab.

Built with red bricks, the Hanafia Jame Mosque reflects the traditional architectural style of historic mosques in Bengal.

Its most prominent feature is a single large, elevated dome surrounded by smaller minaret-like structures. The entrance features arched doors decorated with intricate designs, while carved ornamental patterns can also be seen on the front wall and around the entrance.

The interior is spacious and high-ceilinged, allowing sufficient circulation of light and air. The mosque is surrounded by greenery, including grass and small trees. A water body nearby provides a striking reflection of the historic structure.

The mosque measures approximately 43.5 feet in length and 27 feet in width, while its total height, including the dome, is about 18 feet.

The mosque received international recognition for its architectural and historical significance.

In December 2021, it received an Award of Merit under UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

On 16 December of the same year, it also received the Abdul Latif Fawzan International Award for Mosque Architecture.

Later, on 17 March 2023, then Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Yousef bin Al-Duhailan visited the historic mosque.
Mufti Abdul Kabir Firozi, imam of the mosque, said preserving the historic character and red-brick structure had been the top priority during renovation.

"The mosque's unique architectural design naturally helps keep the interior cool, providing a peaceful experience for everyone who enters," he said.

The mosque's international recognition has further increased interest among domestic and foreign visitors. People from different parts of the country now regularly visit the site after learning about it through social media and other platforms.

Aminul Islam, who travelled from Mohammadpur in Dhaka, said he learned about the more than century-old mosque through social media and visited out of curiosity.

Muhammad Rahman Bepari, who came with his family from Bangshal in Old Dhaka, described the mosque's design as "extraordinary," saying it was "a source of pride not only for Keraniganj but for the entire nation."

Shila Ahmed, a student of Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, said the mosque remained captivating even after a century and a half.

"It feels as if this architecture is telling stories from history," she said.
Local resident Habibur Rahman Khokon said the international attention given to the mosque was gratifying. "I grew up seeing this mosque. Restoring it while preserving its original character has given it a new lease of life," he said.

Local social worker Ayat Ullah Chowdhury Saimon called for government initiatives to ensure the mosque's long-term preservation.

"People are coming from far and wide every day to see the mosque. The authorities should pay attention to the matter immediately," he said.

He also called for the historic Hanafia Jame Mosque to be officially listed as a protected archaeological monument, considering its historical and archaeological importance.

Afroza Khanam Mita, regional director of the Department of Archaeology for the Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, said the growing popularity of short videos on YouTube and other platforms was encouraging more people to visit historic sites and ancient mosques.

She explained that anyone seeking to have an old structure included on the list of protected archaeological monuments must apply to the Director General, Department of Archaeology, Agargaon, Dhaka.

After an application is submitted, she said, a team of experts from the department visits the site and conducts an assessment. Following the verification process, a final decision is taken on whether the structure can be declared a protected archaeological monument or archaeological site.

The preservation of Dholeshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque, local residents say, would help safeguard not only a historic place of worship but also an important part of Bangladesh's architectural heritage for future generations.