Terracotta as Heritage Evidence: Legibility, Surface Loss and Conservation Intervention across Islamic and Hindu Monuments in Bagerhat, Bangladesh

A comparative analysis of terracotta ornamentation in four monuments in Bagerhat, Bangladesh—Kodla Moth (Ayodhya Moth), Sixty Dome Mosque, Nine Dome Mosque, and Singair Mosque—reveals distinct patterns of decay, legibility, and conservation challenges. While the three mosques share a common ornamental vocabulary, their application differs: mosques use ornamentation selectively on focal elements like entrances and cornices, whereas Kodla Moth employs repetitive motifs across its tower-like structure. The study highlights visual discrepancies between weathered historic terracotta and newly introduced decorative components, raising concerns about compatibility and authenticity in conservation efforts. Using a qualitative comparative visual methodology with 49 field images analyzed at four scales (unit, border, field, and elevation), the research demonstrates that systematic photography can effectively document both the state of ornaments and conservation interventions without conflating them.

Saha, M. (2026). Terracotta as Heritage Evidence: Legibility, Surface Loss and Conservation Intervention across Islamic and Hindu Monuments in Bagerhat, Bangladesh. International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 4(3), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.61424/ijah.v4i3.977