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Dhaka,
whose name is derived from the Bengali word
“Dhak”—meaning drum— appeared as the power seat of the
ancient Buddhist and Hindu rulers from the 4th to the
13th centuries. Legends tell us that it started as a
small township on the bank of the River Buriganga (old
Ganges). In 1608 the Mughols made it the capital of the
province of Bengal and the city became the chief
commercial empire of the region. During this time, the
Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, the Greeks, and the
Armenians established trading posts as well as
residences and missions at favorite locations in and
around the township. They were followed by the British
who sought to extend their business from Kolkata to
Dhaka. Eventually the British took over control of
Bengal and so Dhaka became the monopoly trade center of
the subcontinent. In 1887 Dhaka became a district of
British administration and in 1905, when Bengal was
divided, Dhaka was named the capital of East Bengal. A
few years later, in 1912, when Bengal was reunited,
Dhaka remained the unofficial capital of the eastern
portion of the land. Subsequently, at the time of the
partition of India (1947), the city was made the capital
of East Pakistan. During this time, Dhaka was declared
the subsidiary capital of Pakistan. After the separation
of East Pakistan, in 1971, Dhaka achieved capital city
status in the newly created Bangladesh with a population
of less than two million inhabitants. Currently it has
grown to eight million within an area of 7000 square
kilometers.
Dhaka
city’s evolution is witnessed by some outstanding
monuments and buildings including:
Shakhari Patti:
The ancient residential area of the city dwellers.
Lalbagh Fort:
The Mughol Fort, built in 1678 during the reign of last
the Mughol Emperor Aurangzeb, is the prime attraction of
the city.
Armenian Church:
A very old style church of Turkish architectural design
situated in the old residential area of the Greeks and
Armenians.
Star Mosque:
A very attractive 15th-century Muslim architectural
design distinctive for its low-slung style, mosaiced
with colored glass set in white tiles.
Ahsan Monjil:
This palace of the ancient landlord of Dhaka on the bank
of the River Buriganga is a monument of immense
historical beauty.
Dhakeshwari Temple:
A legendary Hindu temple built in the 11th century
situated at the old city center.
Curzon Hall:
This magnificent architectural building of the mid-18th
century, named after the British Viceroy Lord Curzon, is
the first National Assembly building of Pakistan and
currently houses the science faculty of Dhaka
University.
Supreme Court:
Originally built as the residence of the British
Viceroy, it was used as one of the high courts of
Pakistan and now is the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. It
features a striking blend of European and Mughol
architecture.
Baldha Gardens:
Situated in the old part of the city, a small twin
garden with a rare collection of plants bestowed by a
former landlord.
National Museum:
Featuring many natural assets and items of pride, this
museum contains fascinating displays of history,
culture, literature, science, art, music, and life.
Parliament House:
One of the most famous buildings of modern architecture
designed by famous Jewish-American architect Louis I.
Kahn.
National Memorial:
A typically designed memorial built to commemorate the
martyrs of the War of Liberation.
Baitul Mokarram Mosque:
A national mosque designed in the style of the Kaaba of
Mecca, situated in the city center.
All these striking monuments, complimented by the
alluring waterfront and the vibrant street life, testify
to the city’s colorful growth into the country’s
capital. Dhaka is a magnet for tourists and awaits your
arrival.
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