বাংলা 
English 
Zhaudia village in Sadar upazila lies about 25 kilometres south-west of Kushtia town, and it is there that this ancient mosque - a witness to history - stands. It is one of the country's most historic architectural monuments.
According to many locals, the mosque miraculously rose out of the earth many years ago. When word of the mosque's creation spread through the area, many people came to see it.
Others claim that some 1,100 years ago Shah Sufi Adari Mia came from Iraq to India, and from India to the areas of Jhenaidah, Kushtia and Bagerhat to preach Islam. At that time he settled in Zhaudia village, and it was he who built the mosque.
After Adari Mia's death he was buried in the area adjoining the mosque. Locals say, however, that he has no descendants at that place. A mazar committee was formed to maintain his grave. Inscribed at the entrance of the mosque are the words: 'Its greater identity is that it is man-made, and it was established during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.' But there is no mention of who built it at that time; even locally aware people could say nothing about its origins.
The mosque is built of brick, stone, sand and porcelain masonry. Its superstructure bears five ornate domes, and two minarets stand at the entrance inside. It is adorned with exquisite artistic craftsmanship. In 1969 Hassan Chowdhury, a leading citizen of the area, handed the mosque over to the Department of Archaeology under a registered agreement with the then government.
Under the agreement, Hassan Ali Chowdhury or his descendants would remain the mosque's motawalli (custodian). Today his descendants run the mosque. Hundreds of people from different parts of the country flock to visit it.
Especially on every Friday there is no room to hold the crowds. Many come here with cattle, goats, ducks and chickens as offerings of vow. People of some cottage crafts have also come to depend on the mosque.
Yet visitors coming here enjoy few facilities; there is no arrangement for lodging or meals. As a result, despite being a sight worth seeing, the place's reputation is suffering. And with the mosque long undeveloped, its beauty too is beginning to decay.
Some photographs of Zhaudia Shahi Mosque:
