Saat Gumbuj Masjid, located in Bagerhat district under the Khulna Division of Bangladesh, is one of the most outstanding examples of Bengal Sultanate architecture. It is part of the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during the Bengal Sultanate period (1352–1576), it is considered the largest mosque of that era in Bangladesh.
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The mosque was constructed by Khan Jahan Ali, the then governor of the Sundarbans region, during the reign of Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah. He established the city of Khalifatabad in this region. It is believed that the structure was initially used as a royal audience hall (Darbar Hall) before being converted into a mosque. Stones were transported from Rajmahal, and the construction took many years with considerable expense. The architectural style clearly reflects Tughlaq and Jaunpur influences.
Architecturally, the mosque is massive and strongly built. It measures approximately 160 feet in length (north–south) externally and 143 feet internally. Its width (east–west) is about 104 feet externally and 88 feet internally. The walls are approximately 8.5 feet thick, demonstrating remarkable structural strength.
Although it is popularly known as “Saat Gumbuj” (Sixty Domes), the mosque actually contains 77 domes. Including the four domes on the corner towers, the total number reaches 81. Among these, 70 are hemispherical domes, while the seven central domes are designed in the traditional Bangladeshi chauchala style. Many historians believe the mosque derived its name from the 60 stone pillars that support the domes.
The eastern wall features 11 arched doorways, with the central entrance larger than the others. The northern and southern walls each contain seven doorways. Four circular corner towers rise at the corners, tapering upward. The front two towers are known as Roshan Kotha and Andhar Kotha. Inside, 60 stone pillars are arranged in six rows, with ten pillars in each row.
On the western wall, there are ten mihrabs. The central mihrab is the largest and richly decorated. To its south are five mihrabs, and to its north are four. A small doorway near the central mihrab is believed to have served as an entrance to a royal chamber. The mosque also contains a mimbar, from where the Imam delivers sermons.
Located about 4.8 kilometers from Bagerhat town and approximately 320 kilometers southwest of Dhaka, Saat Gumbuj Masjid is not only a place of worship but also one of the most impressive Muslim architectural monuments in South Asia.
It stands today as a lasting symbol of the glorious architectural legacy of the Bengal Sultanate.