"The mosque city of Bagerhat", now a Unesco World Heritage Site in southern Bangladesh, owes much of its cultural and architectural heritage to the legacy of Khan Jahan Ali (R), a revered Sufi saint and administrator of 15th-century Bengal.

After arriving in Bengal during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Shah of the Bengal Sultanate, he was given the official title of Khan-i-Azam of Khalifatabad, now Bagerhat, with a forest area within the Sundarbans as his "jagir". Over the years, he transformed the forested land into a centre of Islamic architecture and history, drawing visitors and historians from around the world.

Khan Jahan Ali (R) played a key role in spreading Islam in the region. His legacy endures through the mosques, water reservoirs, and settlements he built, blending spirituality with practicality to serve the local community.

His architectural contributions include numerous mosques, with legend attributing around 360 to him, though only a handful remain today.

The Sixty Dome Mosque, or Shat Gombuj Masjid, stands out as the finest example. Built in the 15th century with bricks, stones, and terracotta motifs, it is the largest mosque in Bangladesh. Despite its name, it features 77 domes and four smaller domes supported by 60 columns.

"This mosque is not just a place of worship but a testimony to the engineering brilliance of its time," said Muhammad Jayed, custodian of the Bagerhat Museum.

Another notable structure is the Nine Dome Mosque, or Noy Gombuj Masjid, near the shrine of Khan Jahan Ali (R), which showcases intricate brickwork and a fusion of local and Islamic architectural styles.

Recognising the importance of water management in the deltaic region, Khan Jahan Ali constructed large reservoirs, known as dighis, including Ghoradighi, Thakurdighi, and Poncha.

These reservoirs provided water for locals and became symbols of sustainability and foresight. Thakurdighi, adjacent to his mausoleum, is one of the largest and most beautiful dighis he built. Regarded as sacred by locals, it attracts visitors who offer prayers.

"Khan Jahan Ali's vision ensured that even today, people benefit from these dighis," said Hasina Begum, a local resident.

He was also a pioneer in establishing a self-sufficient community. His strategic planning included roads and settlements to facilitate trade and communication, said Md Ariful Islam, executive director of the Khan Jahan Welfare Foundation.

His tomb, near the Dargahdighi, remains a historical site and a place of pilgrimage.

Today, Bagerhat stands as a testament to his wisdom, faith, and commitment to humanity.