The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka with its exciting history and rich culture. Dhaka is known the world over as the city of mosques and muslin. It has attracted travellers from far and nears through ages. It has history dating back to earliest time. But the exact date of its foundation is not known. However, according to recorded history it was founded in 1608 A.D. as the seat of the imperial Mughal Viceroy of Bengal.
Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a busy city of about eight million people with an area of about 1353-sq. kilometer. Having a happy blending of old and new architectural trends, Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all spheres of life. It is the center of industrial, commercial, cultural, educational and political activities for Bangladesh. Motijheel is the main commercial area of the city. Dhaka's major waterfront Sadarghat is on the bank of the river Buriganga and is crowded with all kinds of river craft, yachts, country boats, motor launches, paddle-steamers, fishermen's boats all bustling with activity. Colorful rickshaws (tricycle) on the city streets are common attractions for the visitors.
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Mosques
Dhaka is better known as a city of mosques. The number of mosques in Dhaka city-old and new would be more than one thousand.
The Prominent mosques are the seven-Domed Mosque (17th century), Baitull Mukarram-National Mosque, Star Mosque (18th century), Chawkbazar Mosque and Huseni Dalan Mosque.
The only surviving monument of the pre-Mughal period in Dhaka is Binat Bibi's mosque (1457) in Narinda. Other monuments of the Sultanate period around Dhaka are the single-dome Goaldi Mosque (1493-1519) and Mosque of Fateh Shah at Mograpara (1484).
Hindu Temples
Dhakeshwari Temple (11th Century), Ramkrishna Mission.
Churches
Armenian Church (1781 A.D.) St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna.
Church of Bangladesh or former Holy Rosary Church (1677A.D.) at Tejgaon.
Ahsan Manzil Museum
It was built in 1678 A.D. by Prince Mohammad Azam, son of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. The fort was the scene of bloody battle during the first war of independence (1857) when 260 sepoys stationed here backed by the people revolted against British forces. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh are the tomb of Pari Bibi , Lalbagh Mosque, Audience Hall and Hammam of Nawab Shaista Khan now housing a museum.
Lalbagh Fort
On the bank of the river Buriganga in Dhaka the pink majestic Ahsan Manzil has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. It is an example of the nations rich cultural heritage. It was the home of the Nawab of Dhaka and a silent spectator to many events.
The renovated Ahsan Manzil is a monument of immense historical beauty. It has 31 rooms with a huge dome atop which can be seen from miles around. It now has 23 galleries displaying portraits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab
21st Feb. : World Mother Language Day
21 February of every year is observed throughout the country in remembrance of the martyrs' of Language Movement of 1952. Blood was shed on this day at the Central Shahid Minar (near Dhaka Medical College Hospital) area to establish Bangla as a state language of Pakistan. All subsequent movements including the struggle for independence owe their origin to the historic language movement. The Shahid Minar (martyrs' monument) is the symbol of the supreme sacrifice for the mother tongue. The day is a public holiday. Mourning services begin in Dhaka at midnight at the Shahid Minar with a song that tellingly recal the sacrifice of the martyrs. The event of the day include processions, song sessions, placing of flowers at the Minar and prayer at the graves of martyrs' at Azimpur.
The day has been declared the International Mother Language Day by the UNESCO.
Central Shahid Minar
Symbol of Bengali nationalism. This monument was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952.
Hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquet gather on 21 February every year to pay respect in a solemn atmosphere. Celebrations begin at zero hour of midnight.
1857 Memorial (Bahadur Shah Park)
Built to commemorate the martyrs of the first liberation war (1857-59) against the British rule. It was here that the revolting sepoys and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged. There is a large monument which was erected in 1962.
National Museum
Housed in an impressive building the Museum contains a large number of interesting collections including sculptures, coins, paintings and inscriptions.
Baldah Garden
The century old Boldha Garden is situated in Wari, in the old part of Dhaka city (opposite the Christian cemetery). Set up by Narendra Narayan Roy, a landlord and nature lover, the garden has a nice collection of indigenous and exotic plants and is one of the most exciting attention for naturalists and tourists alike.,
Divided into two units, psyche (the soul) and cybele (mother goddes of nature). The garden has about 1500 plants and trees cover 672 species and 87 families. Many of these are rare plants procured from different countries of the world. A lovely lily pond inside Psyche and a sun dial are worth visiting. The tombs of the founder and his son are located within Cybele.
Open: Saturday-Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00 pm. Friday closed.
**Entry tickets are available on the gate.
National Botanical Garden
Spread over an area of 205 acres of land, The Botanical Garden is located at Mirpur, near the Dhaka Zoo. It has a collection of nearly 100 species of local and foreign plants. Outstanding attractions included 100 varieties of roses in the rose corner, 100 varieties of bamboo in the bamboo grove, varieties of sandal wood and an old banyan tree. The Garden is a favourite retreat for the city dwellers.
Open: Saturday - Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
**Ticket has to buy at the gate.
Ramna Green
A vast stretch of green garden with a lake in the middle near the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Ramna Garden is the biggest park in Dhaka. It has well kept rounds, trees,flowers, gardens, walking and boating facilities.
National Park
Situated at Bhawal, 40 km. north of Dhaka - Trisal - Mymensingh highway, it is an ideal spot for visitors, artists, photographers, bird watchers and tourists. A vast (16,000 acres) national recreational forests, the main flora is Gajari (Assam Sal) and fauna includes small tigers, leopards, small bears, monkeys, porcupine, foxes and pythons, lizards and many local birds.
A 1000 metre long meandering man-made lake having angling and rowing facilities, the flower gardens inside are added attraction to natural beauty. Mere walking or lazing under the shade of tree is pleasant. twenty picnic spots, 6 rest-houses of the forest department are comfortable inside the national park.
Prior permission/booking have to be obtained from the
Divisional Forest Office, Mohakhali, Dhaka.
Ph: 88-02-8814700
National Poet's Graveyard
National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam died on August 28, 1976 and was laid to rest here. The graveyard is adjacent to the Dhaka University Mosque.
Suhrawardy Uddyan (Race Course)
Formerly known as the Race Course, Suhrawardy Uddyan is a popular park of the city. The Child Education & Recreation park (Shishu Park) is also located in a corner of this big Uddyan.
Sonargaon
About 29 km. from Dhaka is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of Deva dynasty until the 13th century. From this period onward till the time of the advent of the Mughals. Sonargaon was a subsidiary capital of the Sultanate of Bengal.
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