Kusumba Shahi Mosque of Sultanate period is unique in history and tradition

The historic Kusumba Shahi Mosque of Naogaon is a wonderful example of Muslim architecture. This 465-year-old monument is entirely covered in stone. Carved designs on walls, minarets and domes. This mosque of extraordinary beauty is constantly attracting local and foreign tourists along with the worshippers. Those concerned believe that there is immense potential for the tourism industry around this mosque, which is printed on five taka paper notes.

According to history, the construction of the main structure of Kusumba Shahi Mosque started in 910 Hijri. After 56 long years, the construction of this mosque was completed in 966 Hijri. That is, this mosque was built in 1558 AD during the reign of Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah, the last ruler of the Shur dynasty of Afghans. Although its original masonry is made of brick, the entire wall is covered with black stone.

Kusumba Shahi Mosque, located in Manda Upazila, 35 km from the district town, is the first thing that comes to mind when visiting the surface of the mosque is the ancient terracotta work on the walls of the mosque. Its mihrab has various flowers, foliage, hanging chains and beautiful artworks. The north-south side of the mosque is 58 feet long and 52 feet wide. There are a total of six round domes on the roof.

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Before entering the mosque, a box-shaped black stone placed in the mosque square is noticed. It is said that a farmer found this stone in his land while plowing. The stone was slightly broken by the impact of the ploughshare. The stone was lifted from the ground and placed on the side of the road. The recovered stones bear Arabic script in Togra script. Al Maliku Ma Humam Mokarrama Abul Mozaffar Hussain Shah bin Syed Ashraf Al Hussain. That is, he is the ruler who is the son of Syed Ashraf Al Hussain, Abul Mozaffar Hussain Shah.'

In front of this walled mosque there is a huge dighi of 77 bighas, which is now known as Kusumba dighi. It is said that due to the mercury mixed in the bottom of this lake, kachuripana or any other weeds do not grow in the water. There are two spectacular staircases to descend to the Dighi. Where the pilgrims perform ablution at the ghat built in Shan. Visitors wash their hands and face in the heart-cooling water of Dighi to relieve fatigue. Local residents also bathe in this lake.

At present, the worshipers offer regular five-time prayers at the Kusumba Shahi Mosque. After entering the mosque, the Kazi Manch comes into view. It is said that the judges of that time used to sit in that seat. All the proceedings of the mosque-based judicial system took place here.

Local and foreign tourists from far and wide are constantly flocking to Kusumba Shahi Mosque to see this historical monument of Muslim architecture. Some also come to fulfill their wishes. But Kusumba Shahi Masjid is thronged by a large number of visitors on weekends, Fridays and the two Eids of the year. Shops have been built around this mosque in the last few years.

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Kanon Barua, a tour operator of Jaba Tour Limited, brought a Japanese tourist from Dhaka to Kusumba Shahi Mosque on March 19. He told Dhaka Post that the Japanese are very interested in learning about the traditions and culture of Bangladesh. After coming to Bangladesh, many Japanese took our help to visit historical places. A Japanese named 'Kenji Handa' was very interested in visiting the Kusumba Mosque. After showing him around the entire mosque, he was surprised to see this historical monument of the Sultanate period. After seeing the mosque, he said, 'About 500 years ago, technology was not so advanced. Yet how are the stones so neatly placed!'

Kohinur Begum, a resident of Motgari village in Manda upazila's Prasadpur union, who came to take vows at the mosque, said that her only daughter and grandson have been suffering from breathing problems for a long time. After praying at Kusumba Shahi Masjid, I vowed to pray for their health. If they are healthy, I will slaughter the duck here and cook the chicken and feed it to the worshipers of the mosque. I believe this time my daughter and grandson will recover inshallah. Because 25 long years ago I myself vowed to heal my illness. At that time, I also cooked chickens and fed everyone here.

Roksana Begum from Boalia village of Rajshahi's Rahanpur union told Dhaka Post that she came to take water from Huzur to wish for the well-being of her mentally unbalanced son. I have heard that if you take a vow here and eat with the water that falls, it is possible to recover, inshallah. I have come knowing that many have recovered. After praying, Huzur prayed in the water.

Nazmul Islam, a visitor from Kamargaon village of Kamargaon union of Tanor upazila of Rajshahi said, being a neighboring district, Kusumba mosque is visited whenever there is an opportunity. After coming here, praying feels a different kind of peace. Many stories are hidden around this historic mosque. Locals tell different stories. But as far as I know it took 56 years to build this mosque.

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Some residents of Kusumba village including Saurabh, Akash, Raihan told Dhaka Post that Kusumba Shahi Mosque is the pride of our Naogaon district. The image of this mosque is also printed on five taka paper notes. Tourists from different parts of the country and outside the country are constantly coming here. But there is not much development work here. There is immense potential for tourism around this mosque. So sincerity of archeology department is required here.

Muazzin Israfil Alam of Kusumba Shahi Mosque