Friday, April 27, 2007

Ahsan Manzil & Gol Talab (oval tank)


Ahsan Manzil, the Pink Palace built by Matin & Co. without dome in 1880's

Damage suffered by severe tornado in 1887-88 (photo credit: ahsanmanzil/nawabbari.com)

Reconstructed Ahsan Manzil with dome

Ahsan Manzil river front - Guards awaiting arrival of Lord Curzon (photo: Fritz Kapp in 1905)

Lord Curzon stayed in the room above
during his visit

Dilapidated structure of Palace and squatters shelter in 70's and '80's

Reconstruction of Palace by PWD in late '80s for Museum




Visitors to the Palace and Museum - March 2007



View of the oval pond (Gol Talab) of Nawab Bari, west of Palace

Present view - river front, Palace dome at top

Buriganga river further down

Century-old Ahsan Manzil, the majestic building once known as the Pink Palace is undergoing renovation after 13 years of its opening in 1992, at a cost of Tk. 130 million. During this renovation programme, some unfinished work, which could not be done in 1992, will be completed. After the renovation, visitors will be able to see the building at night as floodlights will be installed around the renovation project.

The palace, originally belonging to the Nawab family of Dhaka, was abandoned for near about 100 years before the government decided to turn it into a museum in 1985, keeping its original texture. The PWD (Public Works Department) is in charge of the renovation.

According to Bangladesh National Museum source, Ahsan Manzil was built in mid 18th century by Zamindar Sheikh Enayetullah as a palace for recreation. Later his son sold the building to French businessmen who made it their business centre. In 1835, Khwaza Alimullah, father of Nawab Abdul Ghani bought the building and began to live there after some renovation, which affected the original structure of the building.

Later in 1872 Nawab Abdul Ghani again renovated the palace and named the palace "Ahsan Manzil" after the name of his son. The cyclone on April 7, 1887, damaged the palace severely. Then it was renovated again and a dome was built atop the palace.

In 1985, the government took initiative to turn the palace into a museum. After another round of renovation in 1992, it was brought under the control of Bangladesh National Museum which set up a branch of the museum inside the palace. Since 1992, the Ahsan Manzil, situated on the bank of the river Buriganga, has attracted thousands of local and foreign tourists.
Also see, Ahsan Manzil, a palace of past glory and memories

Sunday, April 22, 2007

A trip from Ramna to Gazipur


Empty Ramna park

Journey by bike

Paribagh view

Monument at Science Lab

Panthapath

'3 pearls' near cantonment road

Gulshan view

Banani view

Road decorations

Airport VIP way

Highway to Gazipur

Leaning Minar

Monument at Gazipur square

Gazipur forest area begins

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Skyline - Shahbagh north and west


North east view from Shahbagh, Tower of Bangladesh Radio (old)

Red Crescent building, Ladies Club on left

North view over the roof of Hotel Sheraton

PriyoPrangon, Walso Tower & Concord Tower on Kazi Nazrul Islam Ave.

PG Hospital building, west view from Shahbagh

National Museum & IPGMR - south west view

Dhaka University Halls and Nilkhet area


Hotel Sheraton on Minto road

Friday, April 20, 2007

Photos used by other Websites- An Humble Request

Dear fellow Bloggers,
Photos shot exclusively for this blog site “Dhaka” are being reproduced by other websites on regular basis.
While this website doesn't prevent anyone to download/ save or reproduce its photo/images for their use in other sites, but expects 'credit for photo’ posted in their site mentioning name/ or link of this blog.
This will encourage me to continue my humble effort to project Dhaka city in pictures and benefit both...Thanks!
--Ershad Ahmed

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Sunset skyline Dhaka - view from Shahbagh


Tennis Federation courts (top) and Dhaka Club courts (bottom)

Children's park, Ramna

Skyline view - east from Shahbagh

South east view- from Shahbagh

South view from Shahbagh - University Mosque, BUET and Minar of Lalbagh Shahi Mosque

View: south west - National Museum & IPGMR

East skyline from Shahbagh - Banglaseh Bank and Sena Kalyan towers at rear

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Happy Bengali New Year 1414 - Jubilation, fair & gatherings


'Shubho Nabo-barsho' - with one day 'Panta-Ilish - Shutki and Pitha'



Jam packed Shahbagh area, Ramna


Taking rest near Hotel Sheraton, Shahbagh

Painting national emblem on cheek (Tk. 20/- to 50/-)


A hot day...



Shahbagh avenue


Haat pakha) Hand-fan made from palm leaf (Tk. 30/- a piece av.)


Monkey business



Army patrol

Local handicrafts on sale

'Katkati or Muruli'- a kind of sweet sticks since old times

New products on sale

Flower shops

Posing for photos

Art Institute- happy to be here

'Institute of Fine Arts'- front side (east)
Art Institute- Gallery hall
north of Art Institute


rush at Art Institute

south of Art Institute



'Mongol' (good luck) symbols for this year to lead procession

'Chorki'- local form of 'Merry-Go-Round' - ladies' favourite
social exchange in the compond of Art Institute

Ditch behind (west) the Art Institute - a cosy place for some
Stairs of National Public Library, Shahbagh

Monkey earns money for the master

Return from Ramna - Shahbagh towards Banglamotor