Bangla Calendar - New Year 1413

Ramna Botomul [Banyan tree]





Performers at Botomul on 1st Boishakh - Bengali new year



Carnival and rally

Paanta [soaked rice] and fried Hilsa fish


Cultural functions

Boat race

Lathikhela

The first day of the Bengali calendar year "Pahela Baishakh" is celebrated as the New Year in Bangladesh. The history of the Bengali New Year is not very old.

In Bengal, Emperor Akbar started the Bengali calendar year on 10 March 1585, but it became effective from 16 March 1586, the day of his ascension to the throne. The basis of the Bengali year is the Hegira [ Hijri ] lunar year (Muslim era counted from the year of prophet Muhammad's (SM) going to Medina in 622 AD). The Bengali year was accepted at the grass root level irrespective of religious differences. The Bengali New Year is in summer, not a pleasant time in Bangladesh. It was fixed due to practical necessities. A strong reason for the creation of Bengali year is agriculture and the beginning of the Bengali year is a time of collection of taxes from the farmers.

The common man in Bangladesh as well as West Bengal refers to the Bengali calendar of his day-to-day activities and the well to do city-dwellers to the Julian calendar. The introduction of Bengali year had not only survived, but at one time had also given the unique power of nationalistic feelings and pride to the separated and divided Bengali society.

In Dhaka, the programme starts with daybreak at the Ramna 'Botomul' (Banyan tree), a popular venue where noted cultural group 'Chhayanaut' holds a cultural function with choral rendition of songs followed by song “esho hey baishakh esho esho...”. Students of the Institute of Fine Arts bring out rally in the morning in Ramna. The highlight of the carnival is huge replicas of birds, horses, masks and more. Other cultural organizations join with banners and festoons. Fairs are held where local agricultural products and handicrafts are sold. Eating of ‘paanta’ (soaked rice) with hilsa fish, shutki (dried fish) and green chilies on that day is getting popularity among middle class people. Programmes also include Baul songs, merry-go-round, puppet show and jatra among others. Boat race (nouka baich), bulls race and ‘lathikhela’ (stick fighting) is a festival of the village people in some ares. They come from farflung places to be part of the festivity.

Dhaka - Ekushey Book Fair 2006

Age old giant tree in Bangla Academy premises

Bangla Academy old building

Visitors standing in queue at the entry gate



Poet Nirmalendu Goon (right) with another poet from abroad

A tiny tot outside the book fair

February book fairs are held every year in Dhaka Bangla Academy premises, the fair remains the only place that attracts all types of readers across the country. Among other programmes, recitation and discussion sessions among young writers and poets in the Lekhok Kunja (writer's corner) are one of the main attractions of the fair. Discussion sessions followed by cultural programmes are staged within the academy premises regularly.

Also see Ekushey Book Fair, 2007 at Bangla Academy

Dhaka - Road beautification works

Dhaka - Movie and Cineplex

L: The first ever film (silent) to be made in Dhaka by Dhaka Nawab family in 1929 and 1931 (R)

Left: Poster of Dhaka's first regular film 'Mukh O Mukhosh' made by Jabbar Khan in 1960, Right: Shabistan hall

Balaka Cinema - east of Dhaka New Market

Typical cine posters

Madhumita movie hall, Dhaka

Ananda movie hall at Farmgate, Dhaka

Gulistan and Naz cinema complex dismantling - 2005

Market constructed at Gulistan and Naz site

Basundhara City Mall, Panthapath

Basundhara City Mall front







Star Cineplex 3 halls inside Bashundhara City Mall

In late 40’s as youngsters, I had chance to frequent the movie houses. Dhaka Cinema halls in those days were few and far between. Rupmahal was in Sadarghat, Mukul opposite to Collectorate, Maya (later Star) at Wise ghat, Lion at Islampur, Tajmahal north of Chowkbazar, Paradise at Ali Naqi's Dewry of Satrowza, Picture House a pretty old theatre renovated into 'Shabistan' in the late fifties. Nagar Mahal is today's Chitra Mahal and Nishat today's Manashi. ‘Britannia’ cinema hall was on the north of Nawabpur old rail crossing. It was mainly for the Europeans, Dhaka’s Nawabs and local elites. Classical English films were shown there. In the 40’s, city limit was mainly on the south of old Fulbaria railway station. The mad rush to movie halls in rickshaws and horse carriages only spoke of the craze of the spectators to watch movies. During Eid festival, many halls offered "full serial" i.e. 3-4 films for whole night in a single ticket. A festive mood was always on around the halls.

In the 50’s, few new movie halls were added and some old ones' were renovated. The halls exhibited Indian Hindi and Bengali 'hit' films and award winning English movies. 'Aan', the first Indian colour extravaganza was released in Nishat in 1952. Shabistan opened with Guru Dutt's ‘Baazi’. 'Andaz' was a big hit. Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar hair style became craze among the youth. Madhubala impressed in 'Mahal' with Lata's superhit number 'Ayega... Ayega'. 'Tarzan', 'Robinhood' and 'Zorro' were also popular movies. The film Victor Mature’s ‘Samson and Delilah’ was released in Paradise and ‘The Bicycle Thief’ and 'Bitter rice' in some halls I can’t remember now.

Mr. Dossani, a business tycoon built ‘Gulistan’ cinema hall, the first air-conditioned hall and a landmark of modernity in Dhaka. It opened with Raj Kapoor-Nargis film ‘Amber’ in 1952. Later, a miniature cine hall “Naz” was added on top of it for English movies. 'Swiss family Robinson', 'One Million years B.C.', 'War of the Worlds', 'The Absent Minded Professor', 'The King and I', 'Gone with the Wind', 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'Divorce, Italian Style' and 'War and Peace' were released there. In the '60's, Gulistan and Naz stood up as a model institution nourishing the cultural modernity and reflecting a lifestyle led by an educated middle class. It focused the excellence of a fine outward looking taste developed among the enlightened community of the society. Another modern air-con hall, Balaka, was built later east of New market.

Most movies in those days ran full houses and the viewers came from all sections of the society. Dhaka was all along a city that loved cinema. Even Lion cinema hall, not much dear with the family viewers because of the disreputable characters that dominated it, redeemed itself by screening 'The Hunchback of Notre dame' with memorable performance from Anthony Quinn as the Hunchback. Cinema, as an entertainment, gained a unique status in the society at that time. The Suchitra-Uttam pair soon became favourite in Dhaka once Sagarika and Shapmochan were shown in late 50's.

Waheed Muraad, Zeba and Mohammad Ali were the great hit actors of Urdu movies of '60s. 'Armaan' and its number (song) 'Akeley Na Jana' was a big hit. Waheed Muraad became the idol among the youth. Then there were classical movies like 'The Fall of the Roman Empire', 'Cleopatra', 'Ben-Hur', 'Spartacus', 'Doctor Zhivago', 'The Birds', 'The Cranes Are Flying', 'The Sound of Music', 'Roman Holiday', and the local Bangla comedy 'Tero Nombor Feku Ostagar Lane', 'Rupbaan' a folk tale, 'Nawab Sirajuddaula' and 'Jibon Thekey Neya', a film that played a role in depicting the destiny of a nation.

Last 3 decades, movies in Dhaka cinema halls are no longer a favourite pastime. We no longer see a cross-section of people frequenting the cinema halls like that of '50's and '60s. City’s 35 cinema halls now wear a deserted without the presence of middle and educated class audiences. It seems like ages since the practice of visiting the halls and enjoying movies with family members have died down. Movies produced are full of vulgarity. It is like a nightmare to even imagine going to cinema halls or to let our children go to movies. The shady atmosphere, screening of sub-standard and obscene films, and the absence of security are the reasons behind the gradual detachment from such entertainment.

Of late, some young talented movie makers are coming up to reverse the trend. 'Bachelor' and Humayun Ahmed's 'Shyamol Chhaya' are refreshing. Introduction of Star Cineplex in Basundhara City Mall, Panthapath, with 3 multiplex movie theatres hosting Automated Digital Cinema Screening Systems and Dolby Surround Sound, is a welcome sign. It may be the flag bearer of the trend ‘Gulistan & Naz’ once set in the cultural life of Dhaka. Gulistan cinema complex was declared an Abandoned property in '71 and has recently been demolished for building a commercial market.

Dhaka city - by night

Parliament building


Zia Uddyan pedestrian bridge and mausoleum


Dhanmondi lake

Pari Bibi tomb, Lalbagh

Shaheed Minar



Farmgate from footbridge





Dhaka street scenes

Moulana Bhasani planetarium







City light decorations

Dhaka by night

Dhaka City - Tall Buildings

Concord lake city

Bangladesh Bank, Motijheel C/A

Suvastu Nazar Valley Towers, Baridhara - Badda

Grameen Bank, Mirpur

Sadharan Bima Tower & RAJUK Bldg, Dilkusha C/A

Rangs Tower, Bijoy Sarani

AB Tower, Kamal Ataturk Av. Banani

Banani C/A

Apollo Hospital, Baridhara

Banani

Agargaon

Fisheries Office, Segunbagicha

Hotel Purbani, Motijheel C/A

BGMC Tower, Karwanbazar	Circular road
	Lake view apartment blocks, Gulshan 1
BRAC Centre Inn, Mohakhali Road	BRAC University, Mohakhali Road
Navana Tower, Gulshan 1	Iqbal Tower, Banani C/A
Lotus Kamal Tower, Airport Road	Mariam Tower, Baridhara
Silver tower
Westin hotel, Gulshan	Commercial Bldgs. Gulshan 2 square
Gulshan 1	Apartment blocks, Banani
IDB bldg, Rokeya Sarani
Basundhara City Mall, Panthapath	Panthapath

Inside Basundhara City Mall

Square hospital, Panthapath

BIRDEM hospital, Shahbagh

Multiplan tower, Panthapath

Yunus Tower, Motijheel Uday tower, Gulshan

Senakalyan bldg, Motijheel C/A

Bangladesh Secretariate- centre block

Dhaka City Corporation (Nagar bhaban), Ramna

Dhaka City Corp Bldg corridor

PG hospital, Shahbagh

Apartments in Boro Moghbazar

Karnafully Tower, Shantinagar	Concord Tower, Kazi Nazrul Avenue
	Eastern Towers, Eskaton Road

Concord lake city north of Baridhara

Eastern Housing & Red Crescent Apartments, Old Elephant Road

Apartment blocks at Panthapath


Priyaprangon, Paribagh

Eskaton skyline from Hotel Sonargaon

Apartments, Shantinagar

Apartments, Boro Moghbazar

Apartments, Gulshan- 1

Bureau Statistics Building, Agargaon

Hotel Sheraton, Minto Road

LGED bhaban, Agargaon

Also see Skyscrapers - Sonargaon to Airport, Dhaka
and Dhaka's once tallest building ;

Dhaka Blockade - Nov '06: a collage

Farmgate, night traffic - Nov 2006

cars set on fire...

streets under surveillance

those favouring blockade gathered at BB Avenue - 23 nov '06

those against, assembled in Muktangon - 23 nov '06

Rapid Action Battalion on guard

police on street

Mounted police in front of Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre

empty buses stranded at Gabtali terminal

siesta on van carts

ferry boats idle in Buriganga river



waiting for customer

having a heyday!

Nobel Laureate Dr. Yunus and his Grameen Bank

Dr. Yunus accorded civic reception, south plaza, Parliament bldg 29 nov 2006

Dr. Muhammad Yunus in his study room

heart to heart talk with a borrower

group farming

poultry

goat farming

handicraft & bamboo work

weaving

woodwork & carpentry

Grameen Bank as it stands at Mirpur, Dhaka

Mrs. Hillary on a visit to project site - bhapa and chitoi pitha (rice cake)

Elated at the news of Nobel prize

At Shaheed Minar, Dhaka, with team members

At a civic reception organized by Dhaka City Corporation

Speaking at the citizen's reception held in Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre, Dhaka

National crest given by the Bangladesh President Prof Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed

Nobel laureate with football superstar Zinedine Zidane in Dhaka stadium on 18 Oct 2006

Key of Dhaka City given to Dr. Yunus by Mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka

Pride of Bangladesh with the National Flag

Nobel laureate Prof Dr. Muhammad Yunus is often referred to as "the world's banker to the poor". His life's work has been to prove that the poor are credit-worthy. His revolutionary “Grameen (Village) Banking” system is estimated to have extended credit to more than seven million of the world's poor, most of them in Bangladesh, the vast majority of the beneficiaries are women. Dr Yunus came up with the idea in 1976 while a professor of economics at Chittagong University in southern Bangladesh. The first loans he issued had a value of $27 (£14.50). Their recipients were 42 women from the village of Jobra, near the university. The women had relied until then on local money-lenders who charged high interest rates. Since then Dr. Yunus has never looked back.

Grameen Bank Project came into its own as an independent bank in 1983, with 60% of its initial paid-up capital subscribed by the government and 40% by the borrowers themselves. By the end of 1984, the Grameen Bank had 153 branches serving 2,268 villages with loans to 121,051 borrowers. At present, it has 6.74 million borrowers, 80 percent of whom are women. With 2259 branches, GB provides services in 72,833 villages, covering more than 86 percent of the total villages in Bangladesh. The average loan size is $60, the largest loan is approximately $200. Loan recovery is still near 95%.

Zinedine Zidane wins the heart of Bangladesh!

Zinedine Yazid Zidane French football superstar and a hero came to Bangladesh on a two days goodwill visit on 7 Nov 2006 to meet the impoverished people of a village Itahata Gazipur near Dhaka who had transformed their lives on loan (micro credit) from Nobel Peace winner Dr. Mohammad Yunus pioneering Grameen Bank. He delighted thousands there taking part in an impromptu game in the village, villagers showered Zidane with flowers. Later, in the evening he was given a rousing reception at the Dhaka stadium where he participated in an exhibition match with the national juniors.

Zinedine Zidane sporting a crown of flowers, enters the Bangladesh Football Federation Bldg on Tuesday afternoon 7 Nov 2006.

Zidane, the Danone brand ambassador is enjoying a ride on a carriage with Dr. Yunus at Dhaka National Stadium

The French talisman celebrating the birthday of Franck Riboud (R), Chairman and CEO of Danone Foods at Dhaka, Dr. Yunus looks on.

flanked by an army of young followers

finds it hard to dodge past the players-to-be

elated as ever after scoring by his team

The UN Goodwill Ambassador shakes hands with the player who scored the goal

The superstar signing an autograph on the shirt of a tiny tot at Dhaka stadium.

Dhaka transports and traffic jam

Airport road

Cantonment gate

New flyover

Gulistan crossing

Approach Mohakhali flyover

Bijoy Sarani

Agargaon road

CNG scooters on road

Khilgaon-Rajarbagh flyover

Airport road, Mohakhali

Panthapath

Road in SB Nagar

Rangs tower

Hare road, Ramna

Karwan bazar

Saarc fountain

Dhanmandi Residential area

Shahbagh

Bijoy sarani square

Motijheel Balaka square

SAARC square

Zero square during Hartal hour

Banani commercial area

Road - night view

Mohakhali flyover traffic

Traffic, Bijoynagar

Traffic, Golap shah mazar area


Old dhaka road

Shankhari bazar

Approach 2nd buriganga bridge used as free parking

Typical street jam of Dhaka

Dhaka old scene, materials carried to river ghat by bullock cart

Sadarghat launch terminal crossing

Buriganga launches waiting for passengers

2nd Buriganga bridge, Badamtoli area


Holiday passengers

Overloaded train - Tableeg jamaat devotees returing after 'akheri munajat' from Tongi

Eid holiday - home bound train loaded with passengers

Khilgaon

Dhaka city's Waterspots

Dhanmandi lake- north view


foot bridge Dhanmondi lake

Dhanmondi lake

Dhanmondi lake boat house

Dhanmondi lake kiosk

Ramna lake

pond ghat

Water tank FH Hall, Dhaka university

Bridge on crescent lake - night view



Crescent lake, SB Nagar


MP hostel pool, SB Nagar

Parliament building water pool, SB Nagar

Pool near PM residence, SB Nagar

road submerged by rain

Parliament building water pool

Crescent Lake, SB Nagar


Gulshan Lake

Water pool - National Monument, Savar

Zoological garden lake, Mirpur

boys of Buriganga river

Buriganga river

Dhaka: Hotels (Top to Medium range)

Sheraton, Minto road




Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Karwan Bazar



Hotel Radisson Winter Garden, Airport Road


Hotel Purbani, Motijeel

Westin Hotel, Gulshan 1 - Brac Centre Inn, Mohakhali

Hotel Rajmoni Ishakha, Kakrail

Hotel Best Western La Vinci, Karwan bazar

La Terraza, Gulshan

Sarina Hotel, Gulshan-Banani

Washington hotel, Gulshan-1

Hotel lake shore, Gulshan

Paradise Garden Hotel, Baridhara

Royal Park Res Hotel, Banani

Rosewell guest house, Gulshan

Hotel lake castle, Gulshan-2

Where to stay: There are nice, good and five-star and three-star hotels in the city. Among these most popular and well known is Pan Pacific Sonargaon at Karwan Bazar and oldest and hospitable Dhaka Sheraton Hotel at Minto Road , Shahbagh.

Away from bustle, big and spacious, with lots of modern amenities and comfort Radisson Water Garden International – a newly built hotel is located near Baridhara on the Airport port.

The economical places are Hotel Purbani at Motijheel, Hotel Razmoni Isha Kha at Kakrail, Hotel Sweet Dream at Kamal Ataturk road, Banani, Hotel Swiss Park at Banani, Dhaka, Orchard Plaza and Midway International at Naya Paltan, White House Hotel at Shantinagar and Ornate Royal Hotel at Bijoynagar, Grand Azad Hotel at Purana Paltan. Hotel Pritom and Hotel Metropolitan at Topkhana Road. Sunderban Hotel at Sonargaon ext road and Hotel Best Western La Vinci at Karwan Bazar.

Hotel Abakash run by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, BRAC Centre Inn and Hotel Zakaria are at Mohakhali, Hotel Sarina and De Castle Ltd, Royal Park Res Hotel at Banani, La tereza and Lake Shore Hotel at Gulshan-2, Paradise garden hotel and Hotel Bon Vivant at Baridhara.

Beside these hotels there are also some good and nice guest houses as well. Some of them are Crystal Crown, Lake Castle and Crystal Garden, Rigs Inn and Tropical Inn at Gulshan, Eastern Residence, Far Pavilion at Banani, London Guest House at Uttara Model Town .

There are some good resorts outside Dhaka city. One can contact Elenga at Banani, Jamuna Resort Limited at Karwan Bazar, S.H. Castle and Resort at Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Malibagh, Siddique & Sons at Pioneer Road, Kakrail; Concord for Fantasy Kingdom at Ashulia for stay a night or two outside the bustle of this populous city.

Loharpul at Farashganj- Dhaka's only suspension bridge

Steel Suspension bridge - photo Hoffman in 1880's

view of bridge on dried up canal

Dhaka city as seen from canal site in Gandaria (Mill barrack)

Present view where once stood the Loharpul

Loharpul Bridge: In 1832, the collector of Dhaka, Mr. Walter put up work for a single-span hanging bridge over the canal at Sutrapur (Farashganj) for facilitating passage from Dhaka to Narayanganj. It was a great engineering feat at that time. In 1867, tolls were imposed upon traffic across the canal. In course of time the channel, once of strategic and commercial importance, became choked at places by filth and dirt dumped from neighbouring houses. Some segments of the canal still exist as open exposure, but others had been converted into an underground drainage in the old part of the city. The bridge stood in a dilapidated and broken state in the '60. During 70's, with the Dolai Khal open channel was closed to built underground sewage system, the Loharpul bridge now do not exits.

Mughal Bridges of Dhaka

It can hardly be overemphasised that the conservation of our cultural past is very important to nourish our sense of identity, national pride and self-esteem. There is, therefore, an overwhelming need for creating a general consciousness among the people of the importance of conservation activities relating to our past heritage.

Photo of Pagla bridge ruins by Hoffman in 1880's

Pagla Bridge: It was constructed during the period of Mirza Moula (Mir Jumla) in the 1660's on the river Pagla, a former course of the Dulai river, about 5 miles to the east of Dhaka on the road to Narayanganj. Tavernier noticed it in 1666 as a fine brick bridge. While visiting Dhaka in 1824, Bishop Heber found the Pagla Bridge in a fairly good condition and identified it as a very fine specimen of rich architecture. The bridge consisted of three open arches, each being four-centered and stilted, and two blind arches at its two ends. The spandrels of the arches were decorated and bases provided with semi-circular cut-waters. But of great importance were the bridge's four octagonal hollow towers, one at each corner with arched openings, deep panels and fluted dome.

sketches of Tantibazar bridge ruins in 1850's

Tantibazar bridge: Tantibazar area is located east of Bangshal of Dhaka city. ‘Dholai khal’ canal was excavated in 1608-1610 by Islam Khan, the first Mughal Subedar of Dhaka from Balu River to protect the city, as well as to provide internal communication passed through this area. The canal flowed through the heart of the old town, and joined the Buriganga river near the Mill Barrack. The bridge was built during Mughal period to facilitate passage over the canal. Ruins of bridge no longer exist.

Husainy Dalan - Shi'ite Shrine

Mosque

Replica of Husainy Dalan at Bakshibazar, Dhaka


Interior design

North view: Nahobotkhana

South view: Jori bldg. Husainy Dalan
Husainy Dalan, is a Shia shrine (Imambara) in the old part of the Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was built in the 17th century during Mughal Period. It is built around a devotional tomb signifying that of the Imam where the Shiite Muslims pay their respects for the two grandsons of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) during the battle of Karbala on 10 October 680 CE).

It is said that one Sayyid Murad built the building during Governorship of Shah Shuja, son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. There was an influence of the Shiite Muslims in India and they were honoured and respected in the courts of the Mughal rulers. Since then, the building has been enhanced and renovated many times. After an earthquake damaged it in 1897, it was further extended and reconstructed.

Although the Sunni sect is a majority in Bangladesh, there is a small number of muslims belonging to the Shia sect in Dhaka. During the first 10 days of Muharram, it becomes a center of mourning and religious celebration in old Dhaka. Both the Sunni and the Shia followers join the mourning, ending in the festival of ‘Ashura’ when a great procession parade through the streets from Husainy Dalan to the symbolic Karbala at Azimpur.

Entering through the gate of the Nohobothkhana, (House where kettle-drums are beaten) one can proceed towards the Jori Bhaban. On the right is the 'Kotoali Ghar' or the room for the armed guards. The central Jori building presents a picturesque view especially at its south side with the shimmering water body. The building has been built on a raised platform with rooms containing symbolic graves underneath. Built in a rectangular plan, the central hall is flanked by two symmetrical octagonal towers at the east and west.

The height of the rooms from the floor to the ceiling is around 40 ft. The upper parts of the doorways are ornamented with Arabic inscriptions. The octagonal towers at the two sides are divided into three storey. There are four Minars at the four corners which are topped by four pillared kiosks, with delicate details to adorn them, while the pattern of the white and red coloured parapet also grab one's attention.

Northbrook Hall (Lalkuthi)

Northbrook Hall (Lalkuthi) front view as seen from north in 19th century

View from south (Buriganga river side)



Northbrooke Hall, an elegant building popularly known as ‘Lalkuthi’ for its deep red colour, is situated at Farashganj, Dhaka on the north bank of the Buriganga River. It was originally built in late 19th century as a Town Hall and named after Lord Northbrooke, Viceroy of India (1872-1876). His administration was marked by agrarian unrest in Bengal.

Northbrooke Hall combines elements of Mughal architecture blended with architectural styles of the European Renaissance. The building's semi-circular horseshoe arches containing entrances on the north, the four octagonal minars with pinnacles and the ornamental parapet demonstrate the Muslim features. The deep red colour of the grand monument with its graded roofs, pinnacles and parapets presents a magnificent view from the riverfront.

The town hall was later converted into a public library, to which a clubhouse was added and called Johnson Hall. The building, however, has lost its attraction now because of the new structures, such as assembly halls and community centres that have been built on the same premises and surround it from all sides. The premises of the hall now offer facilities for social and cultural gatherings. The library on the premises is a major reading centre for the people of old Dhaka.

British Governor's house: High Court

Built for British Governor in 1904 (Old High Court)

West view of Old High Court

Staircase

View from stairway



Portion of Entrance Gate (south east)

Supreme court (inside)

High Court & Supreme Court Complex

Supreme Court building: front view

The white coloured two-storey elegant building, crowned by a dome resting on a ring of columns, in the lush green of Ramna, opposite to Curzon Hall in Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue is popularly known as the ‘Old High Court Building’.

Approached through a triple-arched gateway in the south, this magnificent edifice stands at the centre of an extensive area originally designed to be the official residence of the Governor of the new province of ‘East Bengal when Assam’ created in 1905. The province (annulled in 1912) was created for improvement in the administration of the people of riverine areas handicapped by difficulty of communication, neglect and stagnant condition. With the creation of new province, the development and architectural trend saw a new turn, and quite a number of notable buildings, a blend of Mughal and European style, were erected in Dhaka.

During first phase of construction, the building was considered not befitting for the Governor's residence. Hence, the building was used as an office for sometime and then given to a college (Dhaka college).

After partition of India in 1947, this building became the seat of High Court of East Pakistan, and its rear wing, an office for Defense Ministry.

A new building for High Court was erected in the north during 60's and High Court moved there. Old building was given to the Defense Ministry. After independence of Bangladesh, additional expansion was taken up in the new High Court premises to accommodate Supreme Court and Bar Library.

The premise of the High Court bears a mausoleum between Old and new High court building. According to some, it is the tomb of Subader Islam Khan Chishti, the founder of Dhaka, as the mausoleum was once known as the Chishty Behesty's Mazaar.

National Museum

Old Museum bldg. at Deuri (Nimtoli)

Stone carving objects in dispaly in old museum at Deuri (Nimtoli)

Bangladesh National Museum Bldg at Shahbagh

Flower sellers on pavement opposite to Museum

Bangladesh National Museum at Shahbagh is the successor to the Dhaka Museum inaugurated by Lord Carmichael, the Governor of Bengal in Dhaka on 7th August 1913. Initially housed at Baraduwari, it was shifted to Deuri at Nimtoli (now in the premises of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh) in July 1915.

Since inception, its collection has grown enormously covering a wide range of objects. On 20th September 1983, the Museum was shifted to its present premises at Shahbagh near Dhaka University.

The Museum building is 4-storied, with a exhibition area of more than 20,000 sqm. and 46 galleries. It is one of the largest in South Asia. The Museum building comprises of 3 auditoriums for holding functions, and a exhibition hall. The Museum has a rich Library, an Audio-visual section, a Conservation Laboratory and a photographic section.

At present, it has more than 83 thousand objects representing Hindu-Buddhist civilization of olden times, Islamic heritage of Bengal, and life, culture and society of contemporary Bangladesh. Among the articles, Buddhist and Brahminical stone sculptures, architectural pieces, Arabic and Persian inscriptions, pieces of calligraphy are most significant. The coin cabinet is especially rich.

The Museum has a good collection of Sanskrit and Bengali manuscripts, written on hand-made paper, palm leaf and birch bark, and terracotta objects representing different ages. The Persian documents include a Forman of Mughal Kings and Miniature Paintings.

Besides these, medieval arms and weapons, porcelain, metal work, filigree works of Dhaka, exquisite embroidered quilts, superb ivory works, wooden furniture, a rare piece of world famous Dhaka Muslin are displayed.

Collection of natural history specimens includes flora and fauna, fossils, rocks and minerals of Bangladesh and some impressive dioramas depicting the forest life and Sundarbans milieu. The most significant objects are: ancient petrified wood (2.5 million years old) collected from Lalmai and Mainamati; Blackstone Naga Darwaza (serpent doorway) of 10th-11th century, pieces of atom bombs blasted in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in 1945;

The galleries of liberation war (1971), mementos of martyred intellectuals (1971) and Language Movement (1952) have added a new dimension.

Zia International Airport, Dhaka

Old Airport terminal bldg. at Tejgaon

Sikorsky 56 helicopter, service operated in Bangladesh in 1965

New airport construction site at Kurmitola during '70's

View of Airport rail station during '70's

Airport Railway Station in 2000

Dhaka - Airport road

Fountain and roundabout in front of Airport

Terminal, north side- Zia International Airport


Terminal entry

Zia International Airport- front view

Zia International Airport - view from west

VIP lounge- south of terminal


Cargo section aerial view

Biman Boarding

Exit lobby


Entry lounge

Check-in area


Waiting lounge

Immigration counter for foreigners

Immigration counter-SAARC countries


Farewell kiss from grandpa to Rashdan- 14 feb 2006

In 1941, the British government of India had built military airstrips at Tejgaon, north of Dhaka, during the World War II, for operating warplanes towards the war fields of Kohima (Assam) and Burmese war theatres. Another landing strip further north at Kurmitola (Balurghat) was also made. After partition in 1947, Tejgaon had the first civil airport in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. To cope with the increase in air traffic, a new airport was constructed on the Kurmitola airstrip near Uttora, 19 km north of Dhaka. The new airport started operation in 1981 and was named after Bangladesh's former President ZIA-ur Rahman. Since 1992, the airport terminal area saw rapid expansion in phases with addition of boarding bridges and equipments. A multi-storey car park with 500 cars was also built. With a total area of 1300 acres, ZIA International Airport is nation’s biggest. More than 16 international airlines use this airport. The airport handles half a million passengers and 98,000 million tons cargo annually. Aviation infrastructure is developed and maintained by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). It is the home base and hub of state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines and private company GMG Airlines Bangladesh. Zia International Airport’s terminal building is equipped with most modern facilities and has an impressive architecture.

Islamic University of Technology (IUT) at Gazipur, Dhaka

Minar of Mosque

Lake

Cafeteria

North Hall

South Hall

General view



social administration


Entrance gate

(pics credit IUT)

Initially set up as an Islamic Center for Technical and Vocational Training (ICTVTR), it was renamed Islamic Institute of Technology (IUT) in the twenty-second ICFM held in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco in 1994. The campus is located in a picturesque setup of Gazipur, 30 km north of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The foundation stone of ICTVTR was laid on 27 March 1981.

It welcomes the Islamic Ummah for education, training and research as needed by the OIC Countries. IUT is basically an educational and research institution, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes conducted in the fields of engineering, technology, computer science, technical science and teacher training. It offers technology courses as needed by the Member States. It also undertakes advisory and consultancy services for Governments, International Bodies, Foundations and allied Organizations.

The students from the Member States of the OIC are provided with scholarship in the form of free Tuition, Boarding, Lodging, Medicare, Games and Sports Facilities. In addition, a monthly pocket allowance is also given. For the 4-Yr degree programmmes in Engineering and Computer Science, students are to pay a small portion of the total expenses. All travel expenses to and from IUT must be borne by the students or their nominating authorities. For all admissions, nominations are required from the respective governments of the OIC Member States.

IUT has over 1300 students from OIC countries and about 110 highly qualified teachers. In the academic year 2005-06, a total of 197 students of Bangladesh and other Muslim countries were conferred upon Bachelor's, Master's, postgraduate diploma, higher diploma and diploma in Technical Education, Computer Science and IT, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

For Details one may visit their very impressive website http://www.iutoic-dhaka.edu/

Jahangir Nagar University, Savar

Arts faculty

Al-Beruni Hall

(pics credit: unknown website)

This university established in 1970, stands on the Asian Highway, popularly known as Dhaka-Aricha Road, 32 km away from the capital city of Dhaka. Spread over 697.56 acres of land, the campus lies between the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) and the Savar Cantonment, on the north of which is the National Monument. The University has 4 faculties, 24 academic departments, 5000 students and 347 teachers. Moreover, there are two institutes for specialized Research and Training. It is basically a residential university with 9 dorms, 5 for boys and 4 for girls. The topography of the picturesque surrounding area with its gentle rise and plains, the water bodies sprawling around, makes the campus an excellent habitat for the winter birds that flock in every year in thousands, and makes bird-watching a favorite pastime for many.

Medical Colleges and Hospitals

Mitford Hospital 1854, Mitford (now extended for over 500 bed)

Sir Salimullah Medical College, Mitford

Dhaka Medical College Hospital, 600 bed, Ramna

BSMM University (PG Hospital) 750 bed at Shahbagh

PG Hospital, Shahbagh

Sohrawardy Hospital 500 bed, SB Nagar

ZH Sikder Women's Medical College & Hospital, 1992

Armed Forces Medical College, Dhaka Cantonment

BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute for Research in Diabetis Endocrine Metabolism) and Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital 500 bed, Shahbagh.


Apollo Hospital, 450 bed in Basundhara, a joint venture hospital

Continental Hospital, 550 bed in Gulshan 2 - a joint venture hospital

Centre for Rehabilitation of Paralized at Mirpur

Institute of Child Mother Health Care

Square Hospital, 300 bed at Panthapath - a joint venture hospital

Sikder Medical Clinic, Gulshan

Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital 500 bed at Uttara (under construction)

Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital: Overlooking Buriganga river in the southern part of Dhaka city, “Mitford hospital” began its journey in 1854 during the British rule. This densely populated part of Dhaka city was once the hub of all economic and commercial activities with many ancient schools and colleges. It was the main and the only hospital. With time, four other 3 storied annexes were added. “King Edward Building” was added during 1901-10. The Hospital Complex had a total floor space of 30,842.54 sqm. A Medical school with 3 years course was later begun in the compound attached to hospital. After partition in the 60’s, the school curriculum was abolished and a Medical college in the name of “Sir Salimullah Medical College” was established. The Hospital complex has now an 8 storied building.

DMCH (Dhaka Medical College and Hospital): Established in 1946 during British rule, it is considered the top medical college in Bangladesh. Situated at the heart of the city in Ramna, it took 10 years for the Medical College and Hospital to start operations because of bureucratic tangle. Dhaka Medical College and its affiliate Hospital were accommodated in a building constructed in 1904 as the Secretariat Building for the province of ‘East Bengal and Assam’. The building was transferred to the University of Dhaka in 1921. South-East part of the building was allotted for use of Academic wing of the Faculty of Arts while other parts converted into the university's medical centre and student dormitory. During World War II, the hospital part and dorm was used as "American Base Hospital". When the Americans left, it was transferred, whereas a one hundred bed hospital was established by the Govt. This created the base of the DMCH. In the beginning, only four departments - Medical, Surgery, Gynaecology and ENT started. After partition of Bengal in 1947, the college and hospital were expanded to become the premier institution of the country. The complex accomodate hospital wing over 600 bed, college on north, hostels, nurses hostel, in phases. The Shaheed Minar for language movement was established within DMCH compound which was later separated.

BSMMU: It is the only medical university in Bangladesh. Former 'Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research' (IPGMR), popularly called PG Hospital, is now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. It started in 1965 with an aim to providing postgraduate medical education in Bangladesh, then a Government-controlled institute, the university is now autonomous, governed by a syndicate comprising 24 members. It comprises of 31 Departments under 4 faculties. The university campus is in the center of Dhaka city at Shahbagh, Ramna. It has a compact campus with three multistoried buildings, housing a 750 bed hospital. It's faculties are Medicine, Surgery, Basic Sciences and Dentistry.

Bangladesh University of Engg. and Technology (BUET)

Old Academic building (Ahsanullah Engg. College): north view

Administrative building (Old Main hostel)

Civil Engineering Building

Electrical Engineering Building

Architecture Dept building

Abbreviated as B.U.E.T. it is the oldest and the most prestigious institution for higher studies in the country for the study of Engineering and Architecture in Bangladesh. Located in the heart of Dhaka, the history of this institution dates back to the days of Dhaka Survey School which was established in Nalgola in Old Dhaka in 1876 to train Surveyors for the then Government of Bengal of British India. As the years passed, the survey School became the Ahsanullah School of Engineering offering three-year diploma courses in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. The school was moved to its present premises of 76.85 acres (31.1 hec) of land in 1912, in spacious buildings, originally built for accommodating the Govt. Press of the then-East Bengal Government created by Lord Curzon in 1905. In recognition of the generous financial contribution from the then Nawab of Dhaka, it was named after Khwaja Ahsanullah.

In 1948, the School was upgraded to Ahsanullah Engineering College as a Department of Engineering under the University of Dhaka, offering four-year bachelor's courses in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. In order to create facilities for postgraduate studies and research, Ahsanullah Engineering College was upgraded to the status of a University in 1962 and was named East Pakistan University of Engineering and Technology. Department of Architecture was also opened in that year. In 1971, Bangladesh became an independent state and the university was renamed as the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

About 5000 students are pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in engineering, architecture, planning and science in this institution. The total number of teachers is over 400. The physical expansion of the University over the last three decades has been impressive with construction of new academic buildings, auditorium complex, halls of residence etc.

Dhaka University and Halls

Doyel square near Curzon Hall

Monument in front of Teachers Student Centre


Fazlul Huq Hall

Salimullah Hall

Salimullah Hall- birds eye view (pic credit: unknown web site)

Academic bldg

Academic bldg- Arts faculty

Dhaka University: The annulment of the partition in 1912 had a negative effect on the Muslims of Bengal. To placate the sore feelings, the British Govt. made decision on 31 Jan 1912 to build a new University in Dhaka. The buildings constructed in 1904 for the Sectretariate for the ‘Province of East Bengal and Assam’ was transferred to the University in 1921.

Set up in the picturesque part of the city in Ramna, on 600 acres of land, the University was opened on 01 July 1921 with Sir P.J. Hartog as Vice Chancellor. Initially 3 faculties were started; Arts, Sciences, and Law with 12 departments and 3 residential halls. Number of students enrolled was 877 and teachers 60. The university worked hard to build up a high standard of education and soon gained recognition and reputation as the 'Oxford of the East'. Many distinguished scholars were associated with teaching such as F.H. Turner, Haraprasad Sastri, Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah, G.H. Langley, Ramesh Chandra Majumder, A.F Rahman, Prof. Satyandranath Bose (Bose-Einstein Quantum Statistics fame), Dr. Quazi Motahar Hossain and Dr. Innas Ali. Since then the university had made substantial progress and expanded rapidly after partition in 1947. With 47 departments, 8 institutes, 20 centers for advanced research, 16 residential halls, 1 hall for international students, library, approximately 30,000 students and almost 1300 teachers, the University is one of the 100 leading institutions of higher education in Asia.

The University played a central role in all the national movements for democracy and autonomy in East Pakistan, including the language movement of 1952. In the War of Liberation, 14 teachers, 27 employees, and a few hundred students of the University lost their lives. The university contributed to the emergence of a generation of leaders who distinguished themselves in different occupations in Bangladesh.

Related links:
Curzon Hall - Science building
Dhaka University celebrates its Founding Day

Curzon Hall- Science building of Dhaka University

Curzon Hall front view (1904-08)

Assembly Hall inside view

Curzon Hall rear view

Curzon Hall: As one of the consequences of ‘Bengal Partition’ movement of 1905, the construction of Curzon Hall started in 1904 and ended in 1908. In February of 1904, Viceroy Lord Curzon paid a visit to Dhaka and put a foundation stone in his name there to build a library for Dhaka College. At that time a new building was also required to shift the College there. This became Dhaka College’s Grand Assembly Hall. Beside the Hall, 18 rooms were built in the main structure with a total cost of Tk 3 lakhs.

The vastness of the whole area of Curzon Hall is imperceivable from outside. Several playing fields, flowerbeds and a big pond inside it, make it a rare site in present Dhaka city. The entire structure is made of red bricks. The building architecture carries the impressions of English and sub-continental Mughal styles.

After annulment of ‘Partition’ Dhaka University was founded in 1921, and the Dhaka College was transferred elsewhere. Curzon Hall was made over to Dhaka University. The classes of Physics Department were held here. Renowned physicist Prof. Satyendranath Bose (his quantum theory led to Bose-Einstein condensate), Dr. Kazi Motahar Hossain, Khandakar Mokarram Hossain, Dr. Innas Ali and many other renowned professors taught here.

Also see, Image of CURZON HALL

Ahsan Manzil - a palace of past glory and memories

Ahsan Manzil without dome on the bank of Buriganga River in 1880


Palace severely damaged by tornado in 1888

Reconstructed palace with dome by Nawab family

After Estate aquisition by government, palace dilapidated and under unauthorized occupation of squatters

Restoration of Ahsan Manzil by Govt (PWD) in late 80's and completion by '92.

Restorated Ahsan Manzil turned to National Museum Authority

(pic credit: unknown website)

Situated at Kumartoli of Dhaka on the north bank of the Buriganga, this was the residential palace and the kachari of the Nawabs of Dhaka, and is one of the most significant architectural monuments of Bangladesh. Construction of this palace began in 1859 by Nawab Abdul Ghani and was completed in 1872. He named it ‘Ahsan Manzil’ after his son Khwaja Ahsanullah.

Established on a raised platform of 1 metre, the two-storied palace measures 125.4m x 28.75m. The height of the ground floor is 5 m and that of the first floor is 5.8 m. The octagonal metal dome is 27.13 m high from the ground. There are porticos both on the northern and southern sides. An open spacious stairway comes down from the southern portico, extending onto the bank of the river through the front garden. Internally, the palace is divided into two symmetrical halves on either side of the dome. There is a large drawing room in the east wing of the first floor. On the ground floor there is a big dining hall and six square rooms in the eastern part. In the western side, there is a gigantic durbar hall and to its north is a billiard room. There was once a fountain in the garden in front of the stairs, which does not exist today. The verandahs and rooms are covered with marble. In 1874, Lord Northbrook, Governor General of India attended an evening function here, when he came to lay the foundation for water works installed by Nawab Abdul Ghani. In 1888, Lord Dufferin, and in 1904, Lord Curzon on a visit to East Bengal, stayed in this palace on 18-19 February to win public support for the proposed Partition of Bengal.

Dating back to the late 19th century, the Nawab Family played an important role in the freedom movement and politics of the Indian subcontinent. Almost all political activities of Nawab Khwaja Sallimullah centered round this palace. Ahsan Manzil was the cradle of the All India Muslim League. On April 7, 1888, a tornado caused severe damage to the palace. An earthquake once again damaged it in 12 June 1897. With the decline of the fortunes of Nawab of Dhaka, the condition of palace also started to decline. In 1952 Govt under the Estate Acquisition Act acquired the Dhaka Nawab Estate. It became impossible for the successors of Nawabs to maintain the palace due to financial constraints. The palace was on the verge of collapse. Over the years, illegal occupants turned the place into a filthy slum. Recognizing the historical and architectural importance of the Ahsan Manzil, Govt. took initiative to repair and renovate it to its original shape. Ahsan Manzil and its surroundings were acquired in 1985 and renovation work was completed in 1992. It has been brought under the control of National Museum and a museum has been established there.

Partition of Bengal 1905 and its annulment in 1911..

In 1904, Lord Curzon Governor General and Viceroy of India at Shahbagh Dhaka on a visit with Lady Curzon in fleet of Dechamp Tonneau- model 1902 car. (photo: Fritz Kapp)

Viceroy Curzon's Escort at Dhaka in 1904 (photo: Fritz Kapp)

In 1902, Nawab Sir Khwaja Salimullah (centre in robes) with local elites in Ahsan Manzil Dhaka (photo: Fritz Kapp)

Elephants on the march at Peelkhana Dhaka (photo: 1895-90 Fritz Kapp)

During the viceroyalty of Lord Curzon (1899-1905), Bengal included Bihar and Orissa, was too large for a single province. The Lt. Governor of Bengal had to administer an area of 189,000 sq miles and by 1903 the population of the province rose to 78.50 million. Consequently, many districts in eastern Bengal remained neglected because of isolation and poor communication. Calcutta (Kolkata) and its nearby districts attracted all energy and attention of the administration. In the eastern part of Bengal, the countryside was cut off by rivers and creeks, and no attention had been paid till the last decade of the 19th century. The condition of peasants there was miserable. Piracy in waterways existed for at least a century.

Curzon published proposals for partitioning Bengal in January 1904. In February 1904, he made a tour of eastern Bengal to assess the public opinion. On 16 Oct 1904, through proclamation, a new province of 'Eastern Bengal and Assam' with its capital at Dacca (Dhaka) and subsidiary headquarters at Chittagong was formed. The province covers an area of 106,540 sq. miles with a population of 31 million (18 million Muslims and 12 million Hindus).

But, the partition met great opposition from influential educated middle-class Hindus. The territorial adjustment touched their interest. Calcutta (Kolkata) lawyers apprehended that establishment of a Court of Appeal at Dhaka (Dacca) would diminish importance of their own High Court at Calcutta. Journalists feared that appearance of local newspapers would restrict circulation of Calcutta Press. Business community of Calcutta visualized shift of trade from Calcutta to Chittagong port. The Zamindars, mostly Hindus, who owned vast landed estates both in west and east Bengal foresaw extra expenditure.

The educated Bengali Hindus of Bengal felt the partition a blow on them. They controlled most of Bengal's commerce and different professions and believed the plan would encourage growth of a Muslim power in the eastern Bengal to thwart the rapidly growing strength of the educated Hindu community.

The leadership of the Indian National Congress viewed partition tantamount to vivisection of their 'Mother'. 'Bande-Mataram' (Hail Motherland) became their national anthem and agitation against partition started in the form of mass meetings, rural unrest and a ‘Swadeshi movement’ to boycott British manufactured goods. Pujas offered to emphasize the solemn nature of the occasion. Hindu religious militancy reached its peak on 28 September 1905, the day of Mahalaya, the new-moon day before the puja, and thousands of Hindus gathered at the Kali temple in Calcutta. In Bengal the worship of Kali, wife of Shiva, had always been very popular. She possessed a two-dimensional character both generative and destructive and took great pleasure in bloody sacrifices.

Such religious flavor aroused hostility in average Muslim minds. Protest rallies were held by them urging its educated co-religionists to remain faithful to the government.

When Lt.Governor Bampfylde Fuller arrived Dhaka, the Muslims accorded him a rousing reception. On 16 October 1905, Mohammedan Provincial Union was founded with Nawab Sir Salimullah as its patron. The All India Muslim League founded in 1906 supported the partition.

The anti-partition agitation soon passed into the hands of Hindu militant leaders. The younger generation drawn into politics, adopted terrorist methods by using firearms, pistols and bombs indiscriminately. The agitation took a turn towards anarchy and disorder. Several assassinations were committed.

Communal disturbances became a familiar feature in Eastern Bengal and Assam and followed a pattern that was repeated elsewhere. The 1907 riots represent a watershed in the history of modern Bengal.

While Hindu-Muslims relations deteriorated, political changes of great magnitude were taking place in the Government of India's policies. In the new province, Lt.Governor Bampfylde Fuller was accused by the anti-Partition movement leaders as partial to Muslims. He resigned in August 1906. His resignation and its prompt acceptance were considered by the Muslims, a victory for the Hindus.

According to the suggestion of the Governor-General-in-Council, King George V at his Coronation Darbar in Delhi in December 1911 announced the revocation of the Partition of Bengal and of certain changes in the administration firstly, the Government of India should have its seat at Delhi instead of Calcutta. British government decided to annul the Partition of Bengal. The date chosen for the formal ending of the partition and reunification of Bengal was 1 April 1912.

To placate Bengali Muslim feelings, it was decided on 31 Jan 1912, to build a new University and High Court at Dacca.

The annulment of the partition sorely disappointed and had a negative effect not only the Muslims of Bengal but also the Muslims of the whole of India. They felt that loyalty did not pay but agitation would. Thereafter, the dejected Muslims gradually took an anti-British stance.

Mausoleums in Dhaka

Three leaders' Mausoleum (AK Fazlul Huq, Khwaja Nazimuddin, HS Suhrawardy), near Ramna Gate

A.K. Fazlul Huq, (1873-1962): Statesman, public leader and holder of many high political posts including Mayor of Calcutta (1935), Chief Minister of undivided Bengal (1937-1943) and East Bengal (1954), Home Minister of Pakistan (1955) and Governor of East Pakistan (1956-58). Born in Chakhar, Barisal Fazlul Huq passed BA Examination (with triple Honours in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics) in 1894 from the Presidency College, Calcutta and obtained the MA degree in Mathematics in 1896 from the Univ of Calcutta. He obtaining the BL degree in 1897 from the University Law College.

Khawaja Nazimuddin (1894-1964): Politician, Chief Minister of undivided Bengal and Governor General and Prime Minister of Pakistan. Son of Khwaja Nizamuddin, his maternal grand father was Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah of Dhaka. He completed MA from Trinity Hall in Cambridge and Bar at Law from Middle Temple and was a member of All India Muslim League.

Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy (1892-1963): Chief Minister of Bengal (1946) and Prime Minister of Pakistan (1956-57). Born of a distinguished family of Midnapur in West Bengal in 1892, HS Suhrawardy obtained BSc (Hons.) and BCL degrees from Oxford University and later on, was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn, London. In 1920 he returned to India and got involved in active politics.



Mausoleum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(Bangabandhu) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920-1975): Charismatic leader, President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh was born in Tungipara Gopalganj. He was the founding member of the East Pakistan Muslim Students League (est. 1948) and one of the founding joint secretaries of the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League (est. 1949). His call for non-cooperation movement (2 - 25 March 1971) against central authority Pakistan Government triggered army crackdown that led to his arrest and a civil war that turned into war for liberation of Bangladesh.

After the liberation of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971 from Pakistani occupation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released on 10 January 1972. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman headed the first government of the post-liberation Bangladesh for a period of three years and a half. Starting from scratch, his government had to deal with countless problems. The situation deteriorated. On 15 August 1975, he and his family members were assassinated in a military coup.


Mausoleum of Rebel Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976): National poet of Bangladesh, called the 'rebel poet' for his fierce resistance to all forms of repression. His poetry had vibrant rhythms and iconoclastic themes. He paved the way for the modern Bangla poems of the post-thirties. Nazrul used subjects and a vocabulary never used in Bangla poetry before. He used Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian words as easily as he did traditional Bangla ones. Nazrul nourished almost all the streams of Bangla songs and established them on the solid foundation of north Indian classical music and composed Bengali Gazals.

Nazrul was born on 24 May 1899 in the village of Churulia in Burdwan, West Bengal. His father, Kazi Fakir Ahmed, was the IMAM of a mosque and caretaker of a mausoleum.

Zia Mausoleum in SB Nagar
Ziaur Rahman (Shahid) (1936-1981): President of Bangladesh, Chief of Army Staff, leading freedom fighter, who declared the Independence of Bangladesh. Ziaur Rahman was born on l9 January 1936 at Bagbari in Bogra. On 7 November 1975, Ziaur Rahman was proclaimed the Chief Martial Law Administrator. On 1 September 1978, a new political party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was launched with Zia as its Chairman. He was assassinated in Chittagong on 30 May 1981 in an abortive army coup.

Bahadur Shah Park (Victoria Park) Dhaka: In the late-nineteenth century it was the centre of the Colonial city in European style with several civic and religious buildings and educational institutions around it. During the eighteenth century, the European started a club for them. They played, among other games, billiard, and hence the premise was called 'Anta Gharer Maidan'. The English later demolished it and created a round-about park facing the St. Thomas Church. The club was shifted elsewhere which later became the famous Dhaka Club.

The park became a major node in the road network of old Dhaka. In the past, it had all important buildings and establishments around it, many of which are gone now. It is where the mutineers of the failed 1857 Revolt ('Sipahi mutiny for freedom fight') were publicly hanged. It was also the scene from where accession by Queen Victoria and annexation of India was announced amidst much funfair in 1858, and hence the original name of 'Victoria Park' bestowed. An obelisk to commemorate a personnel was also erected there.

After Partition, the historically more important monument, symbolising this place, was erected on the Centenary of Sepoy Revolt, and the park was re-named 'Bahadur Shah Park'. In stone throw distance around the park, important institutional buildings such as court, Bank, DC's office and Jagannath College are situated. The Anglican church overlooking the greens was a major focal of the city centre in the nineteenth century.

Ramna Gate

Teachers Students Centre (TSC)

Ramna Gate (Mir Jumla Gate): Mir Jumla (1660-1663), a prominent subahdar of Bengal under Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, made a number of constructions, the first of which is Mir Jumla's gate, lately known as Ramna gate, on the Mymensingh road near Curzon Hall west of the old High Court Buildings. The gate was probably meant to guard the city from the north from the attacks of ‘Magh’ pirates.

Teachers Students Centre (TSC): at Dhaka University campus, Ramna was built by a Greek consulting firm in the early '60s.

The Greek Mausoleum, a yellow coloured doric structure next to the TSC centre of DU, built between 1800 - 1840, is square in plan with a flat roof and an entrance on the east. The building has a Greek inscription above the entrance - 'makarioi ous exelexo kai proselabou'- which means 'blessed are those that you have chosen and taken'. There are nine tombstones fixed on the wall and another lies broken on the floor. The oldest stone is of Sultana Alexander, who died on February 6 in 1800. Among the foreigners, the Greeks were the last to settle as a community in Dhaka and many of them became fairly rich trading in salt and jute.

National Monument at Savar, Dhaka

Aerial view of Monument Complex
View of Monument from different angles
Constn by M/S Concord Ltd.	Monument completed in 3 months
PWD team in action in 1982	former US prsident Jimmy Carter's visit in 1987

National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar, about 35 km north-west of Dhaka built in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh. The Monument tower designed by Arch Syed Mainul Hussain is composed of seven isosceles triangular planes, each varying in size in its height and base. The planes are folded at the middle and placed one after another. The highest point of the structure reaches 150 feet. Several mass-graves and a pool of water body are placed in front of the monument.

Monument complex is spread over an area of 34 hectares (84 acres) wrapped around by a green belt of 10 hectares (24.7 acre). Concrete is used for the monument tower while red bricks is used for other structures and pavements. Water pool and the platform for laying wreath are placed in front of the monument while mass-graves are on both sides. From the main gate one can see the monument axially, but to reach there one has to walk through different levels of red pavements and cross a lake - all these representing the struggle for independence.

The Public Works Department of the Government of Bangladesh undertook its construction in three phases from 1972 and completed in late ‘80’s. It was my fortune to be associated with this scheme as Supdt. Engineer for construction of the monument tower in 1982 which was completed in record time of 3 months by M/S Concord, using local technology of bamboo scaffolds. The site is a popular tourist spot and large number of locals and foreigners visit every day.

Mughal Katras (CaravanSarai)

Barokatra octagonal central chamber;	Choto katra entrance gate (pic credit: national daily)
katra ruins- inside view
Baro katra old sketch	Boro katra present view
Boro Katra- Charles D'Oyly's etching of 1823	Boro katra south view- photo taken 1870

During Mughal rule in Dhaka two magnificient ‘Katras’ were built. ‘Katra/ katara’ in Arabic and Persian means ‘Caravan (Karwan) Sarai’ or simply a ‘Sarai’. A typical Sarai has a courtyard surrounded by an arched veranda. Beyond the veranda are the rooms where the passersby would take shelter during travel from one place to another. The horses and camels with carts and articles for journey were kept in the courtyard. In a Katra there were arrangements for sleeping rooms, kitchen, dining space, lavatories, mosque and even a hospital for the passersby. Endowments (waqf) estates at private and public initiatives were created for the maintenance and running of a Saraikhana.

Boro (great) Katra: Situated to the south of Chawk Bazar on the north bank of Buriganga. Emperor Shahjahan’s son Shah Shuja’s built this Katra in (1643-46) and planned to make it his palace. The Katra enclosed a quadrangular courtyard with 22 rooms on all of its four sides. Two gateways were erected, one each on the north and south. The ruins consist of an edifice having a river frontage. The southern wing of the structure was planned on a grand scale with an elaborate three-storeyed gate containing an octagonal central chamber. Remaining portion was two-storeyed and encased by projected octagonal towers. The gateway structure is rectangular with lofty height and its front is projected towards the river. A Persian stone engraving confirms that Shah Shuja gave the building to Mir Abul Qasim to be used as a Kätra on the condition that the officials in charge of the endowments (waqf) should not take any rent from any destitute people staying within it. Twenty-two shops were endowed as waqf (donation) to carry the expenses of the Bara Katra. Following the traditional pattern of the caravan-sarai of Central Asia, the Bara Katra was highly fortified and was embellished with all the features of the imperial Mughal style.

Choto (small) Katra: Subehdar Shayesta Khan constructed the ‘Choto Katra’ in 1663. He himself was an architect and strong leadership ran in his blood. His rule made Dhaka a city of fortune and prosperity. The Katra is rectangular in plan: 101m x 92m. There are two gateways, one to the north and the other to the south. It’s believed that the Katra was built to accommodate some officials and the Subehdar’s expanding family. Inside, there is a tomb of Champa Bibi, but there is no correct history regarding her identity. There was a small mosque within its enclosure which has now disappeared. Choto Katra is situated about 200 yards east of the Boro (great) Kätra. This is slightly smaller than the Boro Katra but is similar in plan.

Dhaka became prominent as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire in the 17th century and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine ‘muslins’. Its history is ancient. It was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal. When the fortune of Nawab Siraj-ud-dowla was reversed in the battle of Palashi (Plassey) at the hand of Robert Clive (1725-1774) on 23 June 1757, all territories held by Nawabs were brought under British East India Company.

During British rule, Calcutta's (Kolkata) importance grew and Dhaka’s population declined drastically. The magnificient edifices built by the Mughals were neglected and allowed to decay. British rule had led swiftly to the deterioration in the aesthetic charms that had given the city, in Mughal times, a distinctive appearance. [also read Dhaka: Moghul town to Metropolis]

Dhaka Mosques

Baitul Mukarram: The National Mosque Bangladesh located at the heart of Dhaka was founded in 1960 designed by architect Abdul Hussain Thariani. Mosque without a dome over the roof of its main prayer resembles the Ka’abah in Mecca. About 100’ high the area of the main prayer hall is 26,517 square feet with a mezzanine floor of 1,840 square feet at the eastern side. The hall is surrounded by verandas on three of its sides. The shahan on the east is 29,000 square feet with ablution space on its south and north sides. Under Saudi finance, beautification and expansion of mosque is going on. Two new Minars 150’ high are now under construction in the new plan.

Mosque National Monument Savar	New Market Mosque
Karwanbazar Mosque	Dhaka university Mosque
Lalbagh Shahi Mosque	The Minaret through Lalbagh Fort South East gate
Mosque Sayedabad	Minaret, Shaheed Mosque, Chowkbazar

In the narrow lane of old Dhaka, amid the dense brick and concrete jungles of city stands graciously two marvellous mosques, the Star Mosque and Koshaituli Mosque.

Star Mosque (pics from unknown website)

Koshaituli Mosque
The inscriptions on the mosque (left pic) express the name as "Qassabtuly Jame Masjid (Hijri 1338) now referred as Koshaituli Mosque, is the most ornate mosques in Old Dhaka. The exquisitely beautiful mosque surface is done with coloured broken pieces of ceramic or chini-tikri. The Mihrab's decoration (right pic) is characterised by floral motifs rising from vases and gives an overall impression of dazzling yellow, green, blue, pink and brown. It's artistic designs and decorative ingenuity of exquisite fineness, although an influence of Persian origin, takes the pride of indigenous skill. (also see Dhaka through the ages...)

Lalbagh Qilla Mosque	Ancient Nayabad Mosque 1785
From British Collector of Dhaka Charles D'oyly's sketches:
Syeff Khan mosque, 1814	Husainy Dalan mosque 1829

Also see, Some old buildings and Mosques in Lalbagh, Dhaka.

Buriganga river Dhaka

Dhaka's misty skyscrapper	Sadarghat at night aerial view (pic unknown websites)

“Rocket” Steamer service, a huge yellow/ brown double deck paddled steamer built in the 30's, ply Dhaka - Khulna via Barisal thrice a week. Popular among tourists for journey to the Sundarbans, its a 36 hour long journey which takes one over the mighty rivers Dhaleswari, Padma, Meghna, Arial khan and Rupsa. Apart from good food, it provides the beauty of the riverine countryside with vast stretch of green paddy field. The Launch on the right is overloaded with Eid holiday passengers not afraid of taking risky jouney.

Steamer ghat at Badamtali	Boatman
Buriganga river scene	crowded shipyard and wharf
Ahsan Manzil, pink palace	Buriganga river scene
Rainbow over Dhaka sky	taken by Fitz Kapp in 1905. Honour guard at ease at Ahsan Manzil compound, Dhaka awaiting of Lt. Governor of East Bengal and Assam Sir Bampfylde Fuller.

Buriganga River, Dhaka: In the distant past, a course of the Ganges river used to reach the Bay of Bengal through the Dhaleshwari river. This course gradually shifted and ultimately lost its link with the main channel of the Ganges and was renamed as the Buriganga. It is said that, the water level during high and low tides in this river astonished the Mughals.

Dhaka is situated on the bank of river Buriganga, the river is its heart and soul. The Ahsan Manzil, Borokatra, Choto katra, Ruplal house, North Brook Hall face Buriganga. Coasters, Launches and country boats provide connection to the other parts of Bangladesh, a largely riverine country. Due to siltation, large steamers can no longer go through the river channel in the dry season. In 1989, a bridge (the Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge) was built over the river for vehicles and pedestrians. In 2001, a second bridge over the river was built at Babubazaar for vehicles and pedestrians. Efforts are being made to improve its environment.

Also see, Buriganga River - massive river pollution, and
Buriganga river in May 2007;

Heritage: Sonargaon to Panam Nagar!

Sonargaon ruins	Dulalpur bridge
Sonargaon (Panam Nagar) ruins	Bangla bari
Sonakanda fort	Tomb of Sultan Gyasuddin Azam Shah
Sonargaon Museum	Kadam Rasul dargah at Nabiganj

(pics: unknown websites)

Sonargaon (literal meaning ‘golden village’) was the capital of eastern Bengal under the Shahi Sultan rulers of Bengal during medieval age. It survives at present as a township about 27 kilometers southeast of Dhaka. It’s difficult to locate exactly the medieval city, but from the old remains it appears to encompass a wide tract bounded on the east, west and south by the Meghna, the Shitalakhya and the Dhaleshwari rivers respectively and on the north by the Brahmaputra.

With the annexation of the Muslim principality of Lakhnauti by Shamsuddin Firuz Shah in 14th century, Sonargaon became the seat of an independent ruler under son and successor Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah, and after his fall it became the headquarters of the eastern province of Bengal under the Tughlaqs till 1338. Sonargaon emerged as the capital of an independent Sultanate under Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah (1338-1349) and his son Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah (1349-1352).

By the second quarter of the 14th century, Sonargaon developed into a commercial metropolis. Seafaring boats reached Sonargaon from west Asian and southeast Asian countries. Ibn Batuta describes Sonargaon as an important port city which had direct commercial relations with countries like China, Indonesia (Java) and the Maldives. The Chinese envoy Hou hien (1415) describes it as a fortified walled city with tanks, streets and bazaars. Famous Muslin produced in Sonargaon, especially its finest variety called khasa, had a worldwide reputation.

Sonargaon developed into a seat of Islamic learning under the versatile scholar Maulana Sharfuddin Abu Tawwamah of Bokhara who came between 1282 and 1287. He established a khanqah and a madrasa wherein all branches of Islamic learning as well as secular sciences were taught and studied.

With the advent of the Mughals and establishment of capital at Dhaka, Sonargaon is thought to have fallen fast into decay. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century Panam-Nagar was developed as a part of medieval Sonargaon. With the loss of political status in the second decade of the 17th century, Sonargaon gradually lost its commercial importance as well.

The existing remains now are a few medieval buildings, mostly religious, belonging to the Sultanate and Mughal periods, some Mughal bridges and a few residential buildings of the colonial period. The other remains are Sultan Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah’s Tomb at Shah Chilapur, Paanch Pir Dargah and Mosque at Bhagalpur, Sonakanda fort (17th century), Dewanbagh mosque (16th century) at Dewanbagh, and Kadam Rasul (1778-79) at Nabiganj.

Also see, Panam nagar and Sonargaon.

Churches of Dhaka

Holy Rosary Church Dhaka: In the heart of Dhaka, on a vast area of land in Tejgaon that once belonged to the zamindars, stands the old building of the Holy Rosary Church, a parish cultivated by the Holy Cross Fathers and Sisters. The inscription on the pinnacle of the Church shows a date in Arabic numerals 1677, built by the Augustinian Fathers but many believe it was built in the 16th century.

The Holy Rosary Church premises houses one of the two Catholic cemeteries in Dhaka. More and more Catholics in the new part of Dhaka are buried here. Two schools belonged to this parish, Holy Cross College for the girls and Notrè Dame College for the boys.


Archbishop's House, Kakrail Dhaka: established in 1886 at 1 Kakrail Road, P.O. Box-3, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.

Baptist Church Sangha, Sadarghat

Hostel, Liaqat Av. Sadarghat

St. Thomas Church, Dhaka: The official name of this Anglican Church, better known as the St. Thomas Church, is the 'Church of Bangladesh'. Built in 1819, and consecrated two years later by Bishop Reginald Heber of Kolkata (Calcutta), the church premise was in an area of lush greeneries with the famous Bahadur Shah park in a stones throw distance on the south. The north-south axial Nawabpur/Johnson Road, the most important commercial street connecting the old part of the city with the new, was on the west and separated the area from the court, Bank, DC's office and Jagannath College buildings across it. In fact the church overlooking the greens was a major focal of the city centre in the nineteenth century.

It is said that the convicts from Dhaka Jail gave their labour to build this church as well. The attraction of this building, built after the style of the prevalent contemporary Indian Churches, is a clock tower. The rectangular flat-roof steeple rises above the roof in two stages. The arches over the doorway and windows are of Gothic style, while those of the main tower are pointed. The roof used wooden battens on iron joists; the floor have tiles. The delicate stone and brick works of this white plastered building are still as immaculate as it has been for nearly two centuries.


St. Gregory's Church, Laxmibazaar: Located opposite to the old Municipality Office at Laxmibazaar, this church was built in different stages. The original church of the order of the Holy Cross was erected in 1897 probably by a Belgian Father Gregory the Great. It was in French-Gothic style. But the original building collapsed in an earthquake that ravaged Bengal. Afterwards, it was rebuilt, converting the large back verandah into the main prayer hall. The church building, adjacent to the missionary school by the same name, has seven entrances on the west, each one crowned by Gothic arches and coloured glass skylights. The porch on the north-west corner carries a square belfry originally fitted with a clock.

The Armenian Church, Dhaka: It is one of the oldest constructions in this city and was built in 1781. The Armenians were rich influential business community. Armenian traders came to the Indian subcontinent in 12th century. After their ample success in trade, Mughal Emperor Akbar permitted them to preach. The Armenian Church in old Dhaka was one of the meeting places for the orthodox Armenian Christians, who observe Christmas on January 7. In the mid-19th century, they numbered no more than about 40 families. Because of their close business ties with the British East India Company, many Armenians became rich 'zamindars' with palatial houses. The church in Armanitola, in the heart of the crowded old city is known an oasis of tranquility. Twice a year the Armenian Archbishop from Australia comes here to hold ceremonies. Mother Teresa during her visit to Dhaka, stayed in this compound. The Church has a chapel with a balcony and the original wooden seat for 100 people. The ground cover nearly a hectare and is paved with 350 old graves stones, some quite ornately carved. Judging by the ages of those buried here, it seems that the local climate suit the Armenians.

Dhaka through the ages...

Sikh Gurdwara Dhaka: Gurdwara Nanak Shahi, the main Sikh Gurdwara in Bangladesh, is situated in the campus of the Dhaka University near the arts faculty building. At one time it was known as 'Sujatpur Sikh Sangat', as it was situated in what was then Sujatpur mouza. It is believed to have been built at the initiative of a Sikh priest sent by the sixth Sikh guru, Hargobind Singh (1595-1644), during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Some others believe it was built by the ninth Sikh guru, Teg Bahadur Singh (1621-75).

Dhakeswari Mandir: It's a Hindu temple, said to be built in the 11th century in old Dhaka Lalbagh area. This is considered the oldest and most prominent of the Hindu temples built in Bangladesh through the ages. The photo of temple at right was taken by Fritz Kapp in 1904 while the left picture is what it looks now. The pond shown in the old picture no longer exists.

Saat Masjid Dhaka: The seven-domed mosque (Satgumbad) was built at the north west outskirt of Dhaka. Now it is very much in the centre of city. The sketch of the Saat Masjid drawn by the British collector dates 1874.

Chawk Mosque (Dhaka):

Located in the Chawkbazar area of old Dhaka, the mosque has been altered and extended so much that today it is hardly possible to have an idea of its original form and design (to compare see the photo post below with Bibi Mariam cannon). The western half of the 3.05m high vaulted platform (28.65m from north to south and 24.38m from east to west) is occupied by the original three-domed mosque proper. The vaulted rooms underneath the platform must have been originally devised for providing residential accommodation for students and teachers. Multi-storied extensions have been made on the north and east sides. The original three-domed roof has been demolished and a new one of similar nature (with a bigger central dome) is built over the upper storey. This is perhaps the earliest dated mosque in Bengal that was built on a high vaulted platform. A Persian inscription over the central doorway of the mosque proper records its construction by Subahdar Shaista Khan in 1676 AD.

Mir Jumla’s great Cannon: “Bibi Mariam”

Pic 1: Photo taken in 1880 AD, Bibi Mariam cannon shifted from Swarighat to Chawkbazar, Dhaka

Swarighat- where cannon 'Bibi Mariam' was first laid by Subehdar Mir Jumla to ward off attacks by Magh and Arakan pirates - New Minaret of Chawkbazar Masjid visible behind, Barakatra almost extanct.

Pic 2: Cannon shifted from Sadarghat to DIT Avenue in 1957, DIT building and clock tower seen in the background

Pic 3: Osmani Uddyan at Ramna (old railway land), Dhaka opposite to City Corporation Ofiice

Pic 4: Bibi Mariam in Osmani Uddyan - final resting place.

The huge cannon seated at the entrance of Osmani Uddyan, Ramna, Dhaka, popularly known as 'Sadarghater Kaman' (see more pics) was built by Mughal Subehdar Mir Jumla in the mid 17th century. He placed two cannons "Bibi Mariam" and "Kale Jhamjam/Kale Khan" on both sides of Buriganga river- one in Swarighat in front of Barakatra and the other on a sandbar to defend Dhaka's waterfront from frequent attacks of the Mogh and Arakan pirates. Mir Jumla at the time of his conquest of Assam took these cannons to fight enemy.

After the fall of Mughal power and Nawabs of Bengal, during occupation of Bengal by the British raj in the 18th century Kale Jamjam was devoured by river Buriganga (local people believed Kale jamjam came from heaven so went away). In 1832, British Collector Mr. Walter salvaged the other one Bibi Mariam from falling into river at Swarighat and placed at Chawkbazar, the main square. The photo (pic 1) of the cannon Bibi Mariam at Chawkbazar was taken by Johnston and Hoffman in 1880 .

Robert Lindsay, an young officer of the East India Company who visited Dhaka in 1776 saw these 2 cannons and mentioned them as Dhaka's main attraction despite Lalbagh Fort and the Katras. James Renell, the famous oceanographer who was posted at Dhaka in the later half of 18th century described Kale Jamjam as prominent and gorgeous of the two. Both of them measured the cannon Kale Jamjam in different times and the measurements were also identical except the length of cannon. Lindsay mentioned cannon as 36' long built on 14 pieces wrought iron tubes joined together with 3" thick iron rings, smothly hammered and finished, whereas, Renell mentioned the length as 22'-10" built with 12 iron tubes only. Maximum outer dia near rear of cannon was 3'-3" with 1'-3" barrel caliber (inside dia). Weight of cannon was 64,814 lbs capable of launching cannon balls of 1200 lbs each.

In 1917, the director of National Museum of Dhaka made an attempt to shift the cannon from Chawkbazar, and at a later stage it was installed at Sadarghat river bank on masonry platform. Local people, especially the Hindu women used to pay tribute to this cannon by offering milk, flowers and vermilion (sindur) daily on the belief that fueled the practice of treating the cannon as an icon of power. After partition of India, in 1957, Dhaka Improvement Trust chairperson Mr. G A Madani with the aid of Pakistani Military engineers moved the cannon to crown the road junction of new DIT Avenue and Bangabandhu Avenue (then Jinnah Avenue) facing Gulistan cinema (pic 2). In late ‘80s the place became too crowded and the cannon was moved to its present place in Osmani Uddyan (pic 3 & 4).

"Kale Jamjam" was sunk by river erosion somewhere between Swarighat and Jinjira. It is said with a hint of superstition that a roar is often heard by the neighbouhood coming from the direction of the river for its partner Bibi Mariam.

Also see Mir Jumla Gate (Ramna Gate).

Dhaka: Moghul town to Metropolis

Dhaka city view	Dhanmandi Res Area
Sheraton hotel	Shahbagh crossing view

Dhaka (Dacca), the capital of Bangladesh is situated on the bank of Buriganga River, a channel of Dhaleswari at 23°7 N, 90°375 E. With a population exceeding 12 million, Dhaka is the largest city in Bangladesh and amongst the largest in the world.

Dhaka's history dates back beyond 1000 AD. The Buddhist kingdom of Kamarupa ruled the city area. In mid-12th century when the Buddhist Pala dynasty of Bengal was overthrown by the Sena kings, who were orthodox Hindu Brahmins. Sena kings followed a policy of persecution of Buddhists, the dominant population, and drove them towards east.

During 11th to 13th centuries Islamic Sufi spiritualism attracted the Buddhist and the persecuted masses of Bengal to embrace Islam in greater number.

After the fall of the Sena dynasty by the invading Turks from west in the early 13th century and later by the Afghans, various parts of Bengal were consolidated and brought under a semi-independent Sultanate with the capital first at Gaur and then at Sonargaon 15 miles east of Dhaka. From this period the region received a continuous flow of Muslim immigrants from various parts of India. These immigrants led great land reclamation schemes of southern Bengal and a few other non-settled areas, which continued for several centuries.

Dhaka was successively ruled by the Turkish and Afghan governors descending from the Delhi Sultanate before the arrival of the Mughals in 1608. At that time Dhaka consisted of a few markets and localities of craftsmen and businessmen. The Afghan Fort in Dhaka was located at the present Central Jail near Chawkbazar.

The city achieved its glory of as capital of Bengal Province under Mughal rule in 1608. With the growth in population, public works and township began to expand. Subedar Islam Khan became the first viceroy administrator and the city was named "Jahangir Nagar" (City of Jahangir) after the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The greatest expansion of the city took place under Mughal general Shaista Khan (1662-1677 and 1679-1689). The city then stretched for 12 miles in length and 8 miles in breadth along the river and is believed to have had a population of nearly a million people.

The British East India Company took control of Bengal in 1765 after the Battle of Plassey. Owing to the war, Dhaka’s population shrank dramatically in a short period of time and its importance declined. Dhaka had a strategic link to the frontier of the northeast Indian states of Tripura and Assam. The British rulers began its development in the late 19th century. They built public works, educational buildings and a cantonment on north of the town. During World War II, the city served as important strategic military and supply base for the British Army to engage in the defense of Burma from Japanese attack..

After the independence gained by India and Pakistan through partition in 1947, Dhaka became the capital of Eastern part of Pakistan. In 1971 following a bloody civil war, East Pakistan became an independent State- ‘Bangladesh’ with Dhaka as its capital.

Bangladesh with population over 140 million has the third largest and most homogeneous population in south and Southeast Asia, and the eighth largest population in the world. About three-fourths of its population are rural, two-thirds agricultural, and more than 85% are Muslims. About 99% of the population speak in Bangla.

Lalbagh Qilla (Fort) DHAKA

Ruins of Lalbagh Fort in 1870 during British rule	Renovation of fort area
Fort renovated	Bastion of Lalbagh fort an etching drawn by Sir Charles D'oyly'e in 1816
Bastion on south	Gate south east of fort

Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete Mughal palace fortress in Dhaka on the river Buriganga in the southwestern part of the old city. The river has now gone further south.

Prince Mohammad Azam son of emperor Aurangzeb during his Vice-royalty of Bengal laid the foundation of Lalbagh fort and commenced its construction in 1678 AD, but before he could complete, he was recalled by emperor Aurangzeb. His successor, Shaista Khan did not continue the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688. His daughter Pari Bibi (meaning Lady Fairy) also known as Iran Dukht wife of prince Azam died here in 1684 and this led him to consider the fort to be ominous.

For long the fort was considered to be a combination of three buildings (the mosque, the tomb of Pari Bibi and the Diwan-i-Aam), two gateways and a portion of the partly damaged fortification wall. But recent excavations by Dept of Archaeology revealed existence of other structures.

The southern fortification wall has a huge bastion in the southwestern corner. On the north of south fortification wall were the utility buildings, stable, adm block, and its western part accommodated a beautiful roof-garden with arrangements for fountains and a water reservoir. The residential part was located on the east of the west fortification wall, mainly to the south-west of the mosque.

Fortification wall on the south had 5 bastions at regular intervals two story height and the western wall had 2 bastions, the biggest one is near the main southern gate. The bastion had an underground tunnel.

The central area of the fort is occupied by three buildings - the Diwan-i-Aam and the Hammam on its east, the Mosque on the west and the Tomb of Pari Bibi in between the two - in one line, but not at equal distance. A water channel with fountains at regular interval connect the three buildings from east to west and north to south.

The water channels and the fountains, are very common features of Mughal architecture. A big square water tank is placed to the east of the Diwan-i-Aam.

The Lalbagh Fort Mosque is a beautiful three-domed mosque with a water tank for ablution.

The double storeyed Diwan-i-Aam is attached with a single storeyed Hammam on its west. The Hummam complex includes an open platform, a small kitchen, an oven, water storage area, a masonry brick bath-tub, a toilet, a dressing room and an extra room. The Hammam portion has an underground room for boiling water and a passage for sweepers.

The Tomb of Pari Bibi is the most impressive of the surviving buildings of the fort. Eight rooms surround a central square room, containing the mortal remains of Pari Bibi, which is covered by a false dome, octagonal in shape, and wrapped by brass plate. The entire inner wall of the central room was covered with white marble,

"Sir Charles D'Oyly (1781-1885)" who worked as a Collector of Dhaka during 1808-1811 published a book of his collection of sketches "The antiquities of Dacca". The publisher in London did something more than simply provide the story of Dhaka as narrated by Charles D’Oyly. They furnished a list of all the collectors who worked in the city before and after the arrival of the writer-artist, right up to 1857, the year when the Sepoy Mutiny in India occurred. It is the sketches that draw the reader’s attention. Clearly, the arrival of the English had led swiftly to a deterioration in the aesthetic charms that had given the city, in Mughal times, a distinctive appearance. It was these remnants of past grandeur that D’Oyly drew faithfully on his canvas before carrying them along with him to London to publish. Such images of Dhaka as the Hussaini Dalan, Chawkbazaar, Barokatra, Lalbagh Fort and Tongi Bridge jolt people back into an awareness of the history their ancestors have lived through. One might then suggest that a very remarkable contribution that the work makes in these times is to rekindle a sense of history in the present-day generation of Bengalis.

Also see Lalbagh Area and Fort Incident and
Lalbagh Fort salvaged from neglected past.

Parliament Building SB Nagar Dhaka

Top Left: MP Hostel for Parliament; Top Right: Parliament building East View
Bottom Left: Parliament Building Interior; Bottom Right: MP Hostel


-a place of calm from which action comes-- National Parliament Building Complex at SB Nagar Dhaka designed by the celebrated architect Louis I Kahn.

Traffic

Traffic jam has been an integral part of life in Dhaka city for long. View of Mohakhali flyover in the new Dhaka area. (Pic: unknown website)