The New Nation - Internet Edition

ACCORDING to media reports, the Kherua Mosque in the district of Bogra is on the verge of collapse due to lack of proper maintenance. This mosque was built in the village of Khandakartola under Sherpur upazila over 500 years ago. According to the Archaeology Department, the mosque built with bricks and stones still bears decorations in its domes and has two-metre thick walls. This beautiful piece of architecture was brought under government supervision for protection during the Pakistan period. It had two Persian inscriptions from which the time of construction of the mosque could be ascertained. Archaeological remains are important ingredients of the history of a nation. They are at the same time matters of pride and inspiration for heritage-conscious people and thus need to be preserved and maintained with due importance. But the way the Kherua Mosque had so long been treated does not reflect the kind of attention this heritage site deserves.

From the twin Persian inscriptions a part of the history of this mosque could be gathered. But one of those was neither maintained nor preserved and was simply lost. The utter negligence on the part of the concerned agencies to this ancient structure is evident from the fact that no protective measures have been taken against heavy salinity of the soil in the area, which has been eating into the foundation of the mosque and the bricks on its walls. Some portions of the walls along with decoration on them have been damaged. The mosque has lost its beauty because of the dilapidated condition of parts of the structure. The mosque underwent renovation in 2000 on a minimum scale. The inadequacy of such patchy works is revealed by the fact that weeds have grown over the old structure. The Archaeology Department attributed the inadequate care for this historically important structure to lack of fund and manpower. But such an important architectural monument should not disappear due to lack of attention.

In spite of damp weather, Bangladesh retains a number of beautiful mosques, temples and other structures. The country also has several archaeological sites that depict the glorious past. More such remains of early civilisations at different places of the country are being excavated. They remind the nation of its past glory. All necessary steps should be taken to renovate the Kherua Mosque. The people living in the area must also be made aware of the importance of the heritage. They should be imbued with pride for this possession so that they care for its preservation.