Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Historical Pagla Bridge or Temple..??


Historical ruins at Pagla on Dhaka-Narayanganj Road (Feb 2007)



Deity of Shiva on the extension of historical structure


Temple priest in renovated area

pic of Pagla Bridge ruins (early 1990's) from the book of Prof Muntasir Mamun

Pic of 1890 from the book of Prof. Muntasir Mamun

Photo of Pagla Bridge taken by Hoffman in 1880 (British Museum)

Charles D'oyle's etching on 1827 (from M.Mamun's book)


Historical Pagla Bridge, 5 miles east of Dhaka on Dhaka-Narayanganj road, was known to be constructed in 1660 CE. by MIR JUMLA, Subahdar of Bengal under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, on the branch river, a former course of Dulai at Pagla. French traveler Tavernier noticed it in 1666 as a fine brick bridge. Bishop Heber, while visiting Dhaka from Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1824, found the Pagla Bridge in a fairly good condition and identified it as a fine specimen of architecture.

Mir Jumla's construction activities in Dhaka and its suburbs resulted in two roads, two bridges and a network of forts, which were necessary for public welfare, strategic purposes, and speedy dispatch of troops, equipment and ammunitions. A fort at Tongi guarded one of the roads connecting Dhaka with the northern districts. The other road led eastward, connecting the capital city with Narayanganj, where there were two forts. The Pagla bridge lies on this road off Fatulla.

While visiting Pagla last week, the extant of the dilapidated bridge structure (a bazaar grown around) was found inside a Temple (Mandir) area with a deity of ‘Lord Shiva’ placed there (see pic above). The priest (Sebayet) of the temple, south of main road, introduced the ancient structures as part of temple of ‘Pagal-nath’ (Shiva). He referred to a ditch away on the north as the site of the bridge. The Temple compound encompassing a third domical structure has several masonry rooms for devotees built not far long ago.

I went to see the remnants of historical Pagla Bridge but returned rather confused. The photos taken by me (posted above) claimed by the priest as part of Temple, have striking similarity with the images printed in the book of Prof. Muntasir Mamun on Dhaka and British Museum as 'Pagla Bridge'.

I hope the Archeological Dept. will provide correct information about the structures (ruins) of Pagla Bridge to dispel any doubt.
Also see: Mughal Bridges of Dhaka.

Monday, February 26, 2007

BSEC bldg. Karwanbazar swept by devastating fire- 26 Feb 2007

Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel in the foreground


traffic impasse near SAARC intersection

View from roof of Property Enclave, New Eskaton
The 11 storey Bangladesh Steel Engineering Corporation building (BSEC) in Karwan Bazar, north of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, housing television channels NTV and RTV, daily paper Amar Desh, Dandy Dyeing, Chittagong Stock Exchange and many other Banks and commercial offices caught under devastating fire today at 10:30 am. The pictures of air rescue from roof top were taken from Eskaton area at 12:15 pm. Combined rescue operation of Fire Service, Army, Air Force, Navy, RAB, Police and Red Crescent was continuing at the time of this posting. ATN TV channel, from next block, televised the blaze and rescue operation live.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Bangladesh Bank - Tallest building of Dhaka


Bangladesh Bank Tower block (30 storey above PL)

Sena kollyan Buildingg - 21 storey (near Bangladesh Bank)

Bangladesh Bank, Motijheel C/A

BSB building Motijheel - 22 storey

Secretariate building - 23 storey
Also see: Skyline - Paribagh-Eskaton-Panthapath-Banani-Gulshan North

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Amor Ekushey 2007 at Dhaka - Intl Mother Language Day


L: First Shaheed Minar of 1952----R: Present one

President Iajuddin, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin, Khaleda & Hasina

Foreign Embassy representatives

Floral wreaths relaid and arranged by volunteers

Afternoon scene of 21st February



Mad rush


Face painting




Street fair




Bangles


Handicrafts

Familiar face - street musician Monu Miah playing miniature 'Ektara'



Hayride on hackney carriage




Relax at TMC

Local TV interview


Cultural function at Institute of Fine Arts compound