Azimpur Colony, Dhaka
Bird's eye view of Azimpur colony - year 2002
Weekend view of Azimpur road near Eden Girl's college
This building south of Azimpur graveyard road was formally opened in 1950-51 by the then PM
View of central portion
Buildings north of Azimpur graveyard road was allotted in 1953-54 to the Italians Engineers and Consultants of Pak-Italian Dev Corp engaged in road construction of Dhaka-Tongi-Joydevpur-Tangail road in the 50's.
North of 'China building', Azimpur
East west road across the middle of colony to Sk. Shah Bazar
Historical 'Chapra Masjid' on right (near Daira Sharif)
 'Chapra' Masjid |  Once popular Community Centre for wedding parties |
New buildings near Azimpur graveyard
The semi permanent MLA 'Party Centre' (Sadashyya bhavan) once stood around
Agrani Girls' High School
Aging Sir Salimullah Orphanage - south of Azimpur colony
Once maternity center, now Family Planning Directorate - east of Orphanage
Extension of Azimpur Girls' school over Plassey area
BUET : new academic buildings coming up in Azimpur area, north of Azimpur Girls' School
Famous Salimullah Muslim Hall
Fuller road, between Salimullah Muslim Hall (left) and BUET, Dept. of Architecture (right)
After partition in 1947, the arrival of large numbers of Muslim population from India led to a 103% increase of population in Dhaka, which in turn led to new settlements in the vacant areas within the city as well as in the outskirts. Dhaka was then a small urban area of 6-7 square miles. Initially the official needs were fulfilled by appropriating the government buildings in the Ramna area built for the provincial capital of East Bengal and Assam (subsequently annulled in 1912).
To tide over the acute residential crisis, Government hurriedly built about 44 number of 3-story apartment blocks, each with 12 flats at Azimpur in the year 1949. Masonry houses and construction materials were scarce in this part of world. The concrete roof slabs of Azimpur buildings were thus built with the left-over perforated steel plates (PSP) of the British army used in WWII for temporary runways of light aircraft and fencing instead of standard MS bars.
To tide over the acute residential crisis, Government hurriedly built about 44 number of 3-story apartment blocks, each with 12 flats at Azimpur in the year 1949. Masonry houses and construction materials were scarce in this part of world. The concrete roof slabs of Azimpur buildings were thus built with the left-over perforated steel plates (PSP) of the British army used in WWII for temporary runways of light aircraft and fencing instead of standard MS bars.
Azimpur once known as a residential area of the nobles during Mughal rule, became barren and abandoned during British occupation as their numbers diminished and many had left. The area turned into a jungle, and the eastern portion had large tract of mango plantation. Azimpur colony area initially encompassed the land north of West End High School to Azimpur graveyard road, keeping Chapra Masjid and 'Daira Sharif' on the west, and Plassey barrack on the east. 4-5 buildings for bachelor staffs were built in Plassey area, north of the Daily Azad. Later, more spacious flats were built in the open space north of Azimpur graveyard road (Baby Ice Cream and Army recruiting office) towards the present New Market. Govt. Officials of all kinds - civil, military and Anglo-British staffs serving in Police, Fire Service and Railways were given allotment in Azimpur. The semi-permanent building of 'Party House' (Sadashyya bhavan some jeeringly called 'Dashyyu bhaban') for the then Member of Legislative Assembly was built on the north east beyond the colony area. Agrani Girls' school came up there at a much later stage. The Italian Engineers of Pak-Italian Corp engaged in the construction of Dhaka-Tongi-Joydevpur-Mirzapur road were provided accommodation in the buildings facing the pond (posted above). After independence of Bangladesh, Azimpur colony was expanded further, with addition of new 5-story buildings, 'Walk-up', and raising the old buildings with one additional floor.
It won’t be out of place to mention that most of the top officials of the then-East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) once stayed in Azimpur colony. The colony was a nurturing ground of the first generation of Bengali talents who rose to top positions in political, administration, trade, intellectual and cultural fields of the country. The colony 'Community Centre' and it's field in the 50's and 60's was the most sought after place for wedding ceremonies and holding cultural functions.
It won’t be out of place to mention that most of the top officials of the then-East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) once stayed in Azimpur colony. The colony was a nurturing ground of the first generation of Bengali talents who rose to top positions in political, administration, trade, intellectual and cultural fields of the country. The colony 'Community Centre' and it's field in the 50's and 60's was the most sought after place for wedding ceremonies and holding cultural functions.
posted by Ershad Ahmed at 12:13 AM
4 Comments:
nostalgic experience indeed!..not much of change seen exept the community centre and old tinshed mosque. In 50's - 60's the playing fields between the blocks would remain occupied with young boys and girls engaged in games,cultural activities and picnic, but now it seems vacant.. Well done Ershad..thanks!
I've been looking at your photos every day and my seeing has changed. You are helping me to see dhaka in a new, elegant way and think about things differently..great!
My family has lived in the Azimpur area since partition. I still go back to my father's SK. Saheb Bazar house for my yearly vacation. The area has changed so much over the years! Thank you for posting these wonderful nostalgic photos. They evoked much joy and satisfaction. I will be visiting your site often.
Dear Sir,
Thanks you very much to know about azimpur coloney.could you pls infrom me when Azimpur Chapra Masjid was build and when it was become building.
Tks & b/rgds
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