This city was originally known as Khailifatabad, founded by General Ulugh Khan Jahan in the 15th century, located in the southern region of the world’s largest delta, near the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
As a devout follower of his faith, the general commissioned the construction of brick mosques, palaces, administrative buildings, tombs, and bridges, along with many stone-paved roads connecting to other cities. Large freshwater reservoirs, essential in this saline region, were established to meet the needs of the local population.
The stunning monuments of Bagerhat represent a unique blend of the royal style of Delhi and the local Islamic architecture of Bengal. The simple yet grand mosques, particularly the famous Shait Gumbad Mosque, are known for their 77 domes and vast prayer hall, which is divided into seven corridors.
This site was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and it is currently threatened by monsoon rains, the encroachment of vegetation, and high salinity in the soil and air, which erodes structures and weakens foundations. In 1985, UNESCO launched a campaign to preserve Bagerhat and Paharpur, another World Heritage Site in Bangladesh.
The immediate actions needed include strengthening the most vulnerable areas, constructing a drainage system to prevent rainwater from seeping into the structures, and combatting vandalism.
