"Because of fund constraints, the archaeology department is even unable to maintain all listed monuments declared protected by the government," said Dewan Delwar Hossain, director of the archaeology department.

"There are 355 monuments under the archaeology department, which are not maintained properly. Every year, more monuments, crossing 100 years, come under the heritage status. Only listing the monuments as archeologically protected sites will increase burden on the archaeology department. Any way we'll try to take it under the protected monuments," the director said.

Although Haji Mainuddin Mosque, built 107 years ago, is up for the heritage status as every 100-year-old mosque should be classified as part of heritage, the archaeology department failed to include the mosque on such a list.

The mosque is named after its first mutwalli or caretaker Haji Mainuddin, a textile merchant of nineteenth century, which he had inherited. His father Zangu Bepary and uncle Jan Mohammad had settled by the bank of Dholai Khal (now English Road) in 1890 when Mailtola was predominantly a Hindiu infested area and Haji Mainuddin Mosque marked the beginning of muslim civilisation in the old town.

"Building a five-storey mosque in place of the old one will take at least Tk 50 lakh. Who knows how much it will cost to preserve the old structure right of the mosque," said Haji Mainuddin's grandson Ansaruddin, also member of the mosque committee.

Architect Rafiq Azam, an expert on urban affairs and Managing Partner of the Shatotto, visiting the mosque, said it was possible to build a five to seven storeys mosque keeping the original part intact to accommodate more devotees if the design was done properly.

"The cost will be less than Tk 50 lakh if the original part is kept unchanged," Azam said, adding the renovation of the three lime concrete tombs is possible at a minimum cost.

The mix of terracotta dust with lime is compatible to Bangladesh's climate. It can hold moisture in summer and rainy seasons and dries up in winter, so it never cracks under fluctuation of moisture.

"The Mughal architects introduced this type of architecture. We have lost the technique of brick lime structure and it will be unwise to lose the heritage of the Mughal architects," said Azam.