Noongola Mosque
Noongola Mosque or Noongola Dhibi Mosque is an early 16th century Bengal Sultanate mosque located in Mithapukur village, Barobazar of Kaliganj Upazila of Jhenaidah District. The name of the mosque indicates that the area was at some point a depot for salt collection.
History
The structure, originally found in a severely dilapidated condition, was excavated by the Department of Archaeology and Museums in 1994. The original building was in ruins. Only the lower portions of the walls, including sections of the mihrab wall and the lower half of the northern mihrab, remain original. Subsequent reconstruction efforts restored the building.
Architecture
It is constructed from brick, measures internally, with walls thick. The dome and upper wall sections had collapsed prior to excavation. The building features octagonal corner towers set on circular bases. The west wall contains three semicircular mihrabs, with the central mihrab being the largest, corresponding to the three entrances on the eastern facade. The northern and southern entrances are sealed with brick screens, each flanked by niches. Internally, each wall is articulated with two engaged brick pilasters, which feature merlon bases. The exterior walls are decorated with vertical offsets and recesses, the latter adorned with horizontal mouldings. The mihrabs are framed within rectangular panels displaying a mesh pattern, with the northern mihrab retaining traces of a bell and chain motif. Remnants of lime plaster are visible on the exterior southwest corner.