DHAKA THE CAPITAL CITY

Dhaka Division :
Dhaka division is located at center of the country has an area of 31119 sq. km and a population of 38.678 million. It has 17 districts and 64 municipalities. Main rivers of this division are padma, jamuna, meghna, old brahmaputra, dhaleshwari, shitalakshya, brahmaputra, buriganga, arial khan. Madhupur and Bhawal Garhs are located to the northern parts of Dhaka, in Gazipur, southern part of Mymensingh and eastern part of Tangail districts; Garo hills are located in Mymensingh district. Dhaka (Capital City) stands on the bank of the river Buriganga.

Dhaka City :
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh. The city is known as the city of mosque, muslin and rickshaws. It has attracted travellers from far and near through ages. Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a busy city of about ten million people with an area of about 1353 sq. km. 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.

Ahsan Manjil
Built in 1872 and standing on the river Buriganga, this stately building offers the visitors a feeling of the life-style of the Nawabs of Dhaka. Sometimes known as the Pink Palace, this building now houses a splendid museum.

Basically, it was the residence of the Nawabs. Nawab Abdul Gani renovated this building in the year 1872  and named it after his son Khaza Ahasanullah.
On the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka the Pink majestic, Ahsan Manjil has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. It is an epitome of the nation's rich cultural heritage.

Todays renovated Ahsan Manjil 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 in 31 rooms displaying of traits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.

Open 9 am- 5 pm from Saturday to Wednesday and 3-5 pm on Friday. Thursday is close.

Lalbagh Fort :
The fort of Aurangabad, popularly known as the Lalbagh Fort, was built in 1678 AD by the then Viceroy of Bengal Prince Mohammad Azam, son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The fort has a three storied structure with slender minarets at the South Gate. It has many hidden passages and a mosque of massive structure. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh Fort are the Tomb of Pari Bibi (Fairy lady) and Audience room and Hummam Khana (bathing place) of Nawab Shaista Khan, now housing a museum.
The fort was the scene of bloody battle during the first war of independence (1857) when 260 spays stationed here backed by the people revolted against British forces. It is one of the great historical places of Mughal era. A small museum is there in this fort where you will find the clothes and weapons of the Mughols.

Lalbagh fort is in the old town of Dhaka at Lalbagh. It is open 10 am-5 pm Sunday to Friday & Saturday is closed.
The capital city Dhaka predominantly was a city of the Mughals. In hundred years of their vigorous rule successive Governors and princely Viceroys who ruled the province, adorned it with many noble monuments in the shape of magnificent places, mosques, tombs, fortifications and 'Katras' often surrounded with beautifully laid out gardens and pavilions. Among these, few have survived the ravages of time, aggressive tropical climate of the land and vandal hands of  man.
But the finest specimen of this period is the Aurangabad Fort [commonly known as Lalbagh Fort], which indeed represents the unfulfilled dream of a Mughal Prince. It occupies the southwestern part of the old city, overlooking the Buriganga on whose northern bank it stands as a silent sentinel of the old city.
Rectangular in plan, it encloses an area of 1082' by 800' and in addition to its graceful lofty gateways on southeast and northeast corners and a subsidiary small unpretentious gateway on north, it also contains within its fortified perimeter a number of splendid monuments, surrounded by attractive garden. These are a small 3-domed mosque, the mausoleum of Bibi Pari the reputed daughter of Nawab Shaista Khan and the Hammam and Audience Hall of the Governor. The main purpose of this fort was to provide a defensive enclosure of the palatial edifices of the interior and as such was a type of palace-fortress rather than a siege fort.  

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.    




Bangladesh National Museum
Bangladesh national museum is situated in shahbag. Located at the central point of the city. The museum contains a large number of interesting collections including sculptures and paintings of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods as well as inscriptions of the Holy Quran in Arabic and Persian letters and Bengali works in the Arabic script. The museum also has a rich collection of old coins, metal images, books on art, silver filigree works etc.
Though established in 1913 it was refurbished and opened in the year 1983. Its open from Friday to Wednesday, 9 am to 6 pm. Your mind must be going to the old era when you visit this museum.
Bangabandhu Memorial Museum
Bangabandhu memorial museum is situated at road no. 32 Dhanmondi R/A. The residence of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been turn in to a museum. It contains rare collection of personal effects and photographs of his lifetime. This three- stored building as known as Bangabandhu Bhaban. This building turned in to a museum in year 1997. It’s open 10am to 6pm from Thursday to Tuesday, Wednesday closed.
Mukti Juddha Museum
This is the museum on our liberation war which is well known as mukti juddha. Mukti juddha museum situated at Segun Bagicha of the city the museum contains rare photographs of liberation war and items used by the freedom fighters during the period. It’s open 9am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, Sunday closed.




Science museum
The museum is modern learning center related to the latest science discoveries. It is situated at Agargaon. 
Shadhinota Stambha
Shadhinota Stambha is the place where Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Delivered his historical speech on 7th march 1971. With his speech, Bangladeshi Nation got the enthusiasm for our great Liberation War in 1971. To recognize the historical memory, this Stambha was made.
National Poet's Graveyard
Revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam died on the 29 August 1976 and was buried here. The graveyard is adjacent to the Dhaka University Mosque.  
Suhrawardy Uddyan (Garden)
A Popular Park. The oath of independence of Bangladesh was taken here and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman gave clarion call for independence on this occasion on the 7th March 1971. The place is famous for its lush verdure and gentle breezes. Eternal Flame to enliven the memory of the martyrs of our Liberation war has been blown here recently.
Mausoleum of National Leaders
Its located at the southwestern corner of Suhrawardy Uddyan, it is the eternal resting place of great national leaders, Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Haque, Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy and Khaja Nazimuddin.
Banga-Bhaban
The official residence of the President, located in the city. One can have an outside view of this grand palace. 
Parliament House   
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament House) located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar has distinctive architectural features. Designed by the famous architect Louis I. Kahn, it may be called an architectural wonder of this region.    





Ramna Park
A vast stretch of green garden surrounded by a serpentine lake near the Sheraton Hotel.

  
Institute of Arts and Crafts
Situated in the picturesque surroundings of Shahbagh. The Institute of Arts and Crafts has a representative collection of folk-art and paintings by artists of Bangladesh.







Curzon Hall
Beautiful architectural building named after Lord Curzon. It now houses the Science Faculty of Dhaka University.









1857 Memorial
(Bahadur Shah Park) Built to commemorate the martyrs of the first liberation war (1857-59) against British rule. It was here that the revolting sepoys and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged.


Old High Court Building
Originally built as the residence of the British Governor, it illustrates a happy blend of European and Mughal architecture.








 
National Zoo
National Zoo is in Mirpur, 20 km. from the center of Dhaka besides the river Turag. Its open 10 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week, where you can see the animals of Bangladesh and some animals from abroad. This Zoo is also popularly known as Mirpur Zoo. Colorful and attractive collections of different local and foreign species of animals and birds including the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger are available here. 





Baldha Garden
Baldha Garden is established in old Dhaka named Wari, the unique creation of the late Narendra Narayan Roy, the property owner of Baldha; the year of establishment of this garden was on 1904. This garden has a rich collection of indigenous and exotic plants, which is one of the most exciting attractions for naturalists and tourists. A number of varieties tree are there in this garden. Near about 18,000 plants of 800 species are there in the garden. It is open from 8:00 am-5:00 pm, 7 days a week.

 Star Mosque
A very beautiful mosque of the city is situated at Mahuttuly on Abul Khairat Rd; just west of Armanitola Govt. High School. Architecturally faultless (Mughal style) is a five-dome mosque with hundreds of big and small twinkling stars as surface decorations.
The stars have been created by setting pieces of chinaware on white cement. Seen from the front and from far it looks as if shining above the surface of the earth. The inside of it is even more beautiful that the outside, lovely mosaic floor and excellent tiles with many floral patterns set on the walls, are all in complete harmony.  The sitara Masjid was built originally with three domes in early 18th century by Mirza Ghulam Pir, a highly respectable Zamindar of Dhaka.


Baitul Mukarram Mosque
Baitul Mukarram Mosque is situated at Purana Paltan east of Bangladesh Secretariat and north of Dhaka Stadium. Largest Mosque in the city, three storied and built after the pattern of the Kaba Sharif. Very beautiful and costly decorations in the interior. Long lawn, garden and rows of fountains to the south and east. The mosque is on a very high platform. Lovely flights of stairs lead to it; from the south, east and north. On the east is a vast veranda, which is also used for prayer and Eid congregation.
Below in the ground floor is a shopping center.
Dhaka is a city of mosques. Other Prominent Mosques are the seven Domed Mosque (17th century), Star Mosque (18th century), Chawkbazar Mosque and Huseni Dalan Mosque.
  
Dhakeshwari Temple
Dhakeshwari Temple (11th Century) situated at the place where the old part of Dhaka meets the new part. This is the oldest Hindu temple in Dhaka City. The name Dhakeshwari is also associated with the origin of the name Dhaka.








Churches
Armenian Church (1781 A.D.) St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, Church of Bangladesh or former Holy Rosary Church (1677A.D.) at Tejgaon.





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