Dhaka was founded in 1608 A.D.as the capital of the Province by Islam Khan Chisti during the regime of Mughal Emperor Zahangir and it was at that time renamed Zahangirnagar. With the establishment of Mughal control over the region, Dhaka continued functioning as the capital of Bengal, Behar, Orissa and retained the status till 1717.

In 1905, Dhaka Was became the capital of a new province comprising East Bengal and Assam. A great deal of construction took place to house the new administration. This was cut short by annulling the partition of Bengal in 1911.

In 1947, the city emerged as the provincial capital of East Pakistan and embraced the historic movements and finally the victory in the War of Liberation.

After independence, Dhaka became the capital of Bangladesh in 1971.