Anderkilla Shahi Jame Masjid, a traditional architectural monument of the Mughal period, is located near Anderkilla Circle, 7.6 kilometers from Chittagong city. According to historical sources, during the Mughal period, Qilla Arkani was a haven for Mughal and Portuguese pirates. On January 27, 1666, Buzurg Umed Khan, son of Subedar Shaista Kha of Bengal, entered the fort and named it “Andar Qilla”. Later Shaista Khan built Andarqilla Shahi Jame Masjid here in 1667 AD on the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb to preserve the memory of Chittagong victory against Mughals and Portuguese. The Imam of the mosque was appointed from the holy Medina.
Built in the Mughal style, the Andarqilla Jama Masjid is influenced by the Delhi Jama Masjid in architecture and design. Due to the use of limestone and large stones, the mosque is called the stone mosque or Jame Sangin. The Andarkilla Mosque is situated on a small hill on an area of 2.42 acres, about 30 feet above the plain. The walls of the mosque are 16 meters long and 7.5 meters wide and 2.2 meters thick. The western wall of the mosque is made of burnt clay. And the walls on the other three sides are made of stone. The roof is covered by a large dome and two smaller domes located in the middle of the mosque. In addition, the mosque has a total of 5 entrances, three in the east, one each in the north and south, and three mehrabs.
About 352 years old, this mosque is associated with the existence of Chittagong as a witness of the Mughal conquest of Chittagong. At that time, this mosque became quite popular among the followers of Islam in Chittagong as a holy place. Along with the religious worship at Andarqilla Shahi Jame Masjid, which has become historically significant over time, many people come from far and wide to see the beautiful architecture of the Mughal period.
How to go
Chittagong can be reached by bus, train and plane from Dhaka. There are various bus services to Chittagong from Gabtali, Sayedabad or Mohakhali bus stand in the capital. By Rail, Chittagong can be reached by intercity trains like Suborn Express, Mahanagar Prabhati or Sonar Bangla Express from Kamalapur Railway Station or Airport Railway Station. Besides, if you want to go to Chittagong in less time, you can choose air. On reaching Chittagong, one can go to Andarkila Jame Masjid by hiring an autorickshaw or CNG through Station Road area.