Dhania Chalk Mosque
The Dhania Chalk Mosque is a historical Sultanate period mosque located in the southern suburb of the ancient city Gaur, presently in the village Shahbajpur under Shibganj Upazila of the Chapainawabganj District. The architectural style suggests that the building was likely constructed in the late fifteenth century. The mosque was reconstructed from ruins by Department of Archeology, now a protected archeological site.
Architecture
The mosque, an oblong structure, measures approximately internally while externally and is surrounded by a brick wall about thick. Before restoration much of the mosque lied in ruins, with only sections of the qibla and northern walls standing. The eastern and southern walls, as well as the four octagonal corner turrets were also rebuilt from their foundations remain. The qibla wall contains three mihrab niches, the central one being larger and taller, featuring a pointed cusped arch with decorative finial. A projection on the exterior of the qibla wall aligns with the main mihrab niche.Oversailing brick courses at the tops of the walls indicate that the structure was roofed with six domes supported by corbelled pendentives. The two central columns within the chamber feature square bases, octagonal shafts adorned with two rows of mouldings, and capitals decorated with crenellation. The engaged pilasters share a similar design. The arches sustaining the domes originate from the tops of the columns and the engaged pilasters.