Choto Sona Mosque
About Choto Sona Mosque
Choto Sona Masjid, the Small Golden Mosque, was built during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah (1493 to 1519), according to its inscription. It stands in the Bangladeshi part of Gaur, the old capital of Bengal that straddles today’s border with India.
The mosque is a compact rectangle of brick faced with stone, crowned by fifteen domes, with the middle row in the curved chauchala shape of a Bengali village hut. Its name is said to come from the gilding that once covered the domes. The real treasure today is the carving: vines, rosettes and hanging-lamp motifs cut into the stone around the arched entrances and inside on the mihrabs.
The building is still used for prayer, and a quiet graveyard sits beside it. It is the natural starting point for a day among the Gaur ruins, with Darashbari Mosque, Khania Dighi Mosque, Dhania Chalk Mosque and the Mughal-era Shah Niamatullah Mosque all within a short drive.
Evergreen Bangladesh Tours visits Choto Sona Masjid on private tours of Chapai Nawabganj and Rajshahi with a local guide.
Things to do
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Study the stone carving
Look closely at the floral and hanging-lamp patterns around the doorways and mihrabs, among the best of their kind in Bengal.
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Gaur heritage circuit
Use the mosque as the start of a loop through the Sultanate and Mughal monuments of Gaur on the Bangladeshi side.
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Photography
Soft morning light suits the grey stone and domes. Ask before photographing people at prayer.
Getting there
From Rajshahi: the Bangladeshi side of Gaur, near the Sona Masjid border crossing in Shibganj, is roughly 80 km away, about two hours by car.
From Dhaka: fly or take the train to Rajshahi, or drive about seven to eight hours. Trains also run to Chapai Nawabganj town.
Where to stay
Rajshahi city has the widest choice of comfortable hotels and makes a good base for a day in Gaur. Chapai Nawabganj town has simpler options closer to the sites.
More to see in Chapai Nawabganj
Tours that visit Choto Sona Mosque
Short Tours
Heritage Treasures of North Bengal
from $550 per person
Questions
Can non-Muslims visit Choto Sona Masjid?
Yes, respectful visitors are generally welcome outside prayer times. Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering.
How old is the mosque?
It dates from the reign of Alauddin Husain Shah, between 1493 and 1519.
Is it close to India?
Yes. It is near the Sona Masjid land port, and the rest of Gaur lies across the border in West Bengal. You cannot cross casually; the border needs proper visas.
What should women wear?
Long sleeves, long trousers or a skirt, and a scarf to cover the hair inside the prayer hall.