Image of Curzon Hall:

Plan and front view of Curzon Hall in 1904

Curzon hall after completion in 1908

Present view (front)


View from west

East wing


Domed terrace pavilions

This magnificent double-storied building in red bricks with a blend of continental and Mughal architecture ,with cusped arches and kiosk-like turrets, was built in 1904 as a Town Hall for the newly created province of East Bengal and Assam. A year later, Bengal was partitioned and Dhaka became the capital of the newly created province. The initiative and action of Lord Curzon, the then-Viceroy of India to divide Bengal into two states, led to fostering Muslim hopes of a permanent Muslim state that ultimately led to the formation of Bangladesh many years later. Lord Curzon laid the foundation of the building named after him on 14 February 1904. Since the new province had a majority Muslim population, the partition was welcomed by Muslims, but it was fiercely resented by Indian nationalist leaders. He was eventually forced out of office in 1905 but not before the building had started to take its shape. Curzon Hall was completed in 1908 but the partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911-12. Laid out in a spacious and carefully maintained garden in the heart of Ramna, this brick building has a large central hall, lateral wings on the east and west with several rooms, and a continuous verandah on all sides.

Some one impressed by its splendor once said:
“Where once did owl did hoot
The jackal yell,
In thickets dwarf and tall
There stands to-day, in state
A sentinel
The splendid Curzon Hall..”

It is learnt that the picture of Curzon Hall might feature in Bangladesh Currency note of Tk.1000.00 to be printed next.

Also see, Curzon Hall - Science Building of Dhaka University.