Ancient building's origin unknown

At Sikderbari on the Indurkani to Bagolerhat road in Pirojpur's Gabachiya village is a small, ancient building of unknown origin. Constructed of limestone and damp during the monsoon months, the building can hardly hide its centuries-old history. But who built it? What was its original purpose? Nobody knows.

“My grandfather Jumul Sikder died at the age of 125 years old,” says local Abu Sikder, 45. “Even he couldn't tell us anything about the origins of that building.”

Nowadays the site serves as Sikderbari mosque, but the building is very narrow such that only one line of people could've said their prayers at a time; suggesting its original purpose may have been different. To better accommodate worshippers, a veranda has been constructed.

“The building was not a mosque originally,” says Sikder. “Our forefathers made it a mosque by cutting into its thick western wall.”

On the other hand, the use of lime-chips in the three-domed building holds similarity with the ancient mosques of neighbouring Bagerhat.

“My great grandfather said that as he knew this mosque has existed for more than 350 years,” says Md Abdul Mannan Howlader, 55, of the area. “But he couldn't say when it was actually constructed or who built it.”

“Actually nobody from our house or in this village knows anything for certain about the building's origins,” he adds. “But this mosque is special to us.” Nonetheless, none have sought government assistance in maintaining the ancient building; no step has been taken.

Although there are occasions when history is ready to receive human curiosity with open arms, at other times history proves to be coy, unwilling to divulge long-held secrets. The ancient relic of the Sikderbari mosque is an example of such temperament. This building retains its sense of mystery.