Choto Sona Masjid (Small Golden Mosque)
About Experience
The Origin Built between 1493 and 1519 during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah, this architectural masterpiece is often referred to as the "gem of Moorish architecture in Bengal." Historically situated in the outskirts of the ancient capital city of Gaur, it earned the name "Golden Mosque" because its domes were originally gilded with real gold that gleamed brilliantly under the sun. Today, it is so deeply ingrained in the country's national identity that it is proudly featured on the Bangladeshi 20 Taka banknote. The Architecture While the core of the mosque is built from brick, the entire exterior and major interior sections are stunningly faced with black stone. The roof features 15 meticulously crafted domes—12 hemispherical ones and 3 rectangular chauchala (resembling traditional Bengali hut roofs) running down the center. The stone walls are covered in incredibly delicate, shallow-relief carvings of floral motifs, rosettes, and hanging chains, showcasing the absolute zenith of the Bengal Sultanate's artistic craftsmanship.
Visitor Tips
- •What to Look For: Pay close attention to the intricate terracotta and stone carvings near the multiple arched doorways and the beautifully ornate mihrabs (prayer niches) inside.
- •Pay Your Respects: Within the serene courtyard of the mosque lie the graves of Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir (a revered Bir Sreshtho martyr of the 1971 Liberation War) and Major Najmul Huq, giving the site immense modern patriotic significance alongside its ancient history.
- •Getting There: It is located very close to the Sonamasjid Land Port on the Bangladesh-India border. The easiest route is to travel from Rajshahi to Chapai Nawabganj town, and then hire a local CNG or auto-rickshaw directly to the mosque gates.
Highlights
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