Dhaka is the capital
Dhaka is the capital and largest
city of Bangladesh. Today's Dhaka has a long story of evolution. It was founded
during the 10th century. It served as the Mughal capital of Bengal from 1608 to
1704.Before coming under British rule in 1765 it was a trading center for
British, French, and Dutch colonialism . In 1905 it was again named the capital
of Bengal, and in 1956 it became the capital of East Pakistan. During the
Bangladesh war of independence in1971 the city suffered a heavy damage. In 1982
the spelling was changed from ' Dacca' to 'Dhaka'.
Dhaka is located in the geographic
center of the country. It is in the great deltaic region of the Ganges and
Brahmaputra rivers. The city is within the monsoon climate zone, with an annual
average temperature of 25 deg C (77 deg F) and monthly means varying between 18
deg C (64 deg F) in January and 29 deg C (84 deg F) in August. Nearly 80% of the
annual average rainfall of 1,854 mm (73 in) occurs between May and
September.
Dhaka is located in one of the
world's leading rice- and jute-growing regions. Its industries include textiles
(jute, muslin, cotton) and food processing, especially rice milling. A variety
of other consumer goods are also manufactured here. The Muslim influence is
reflected in the more than 700 mosques and historic buildings found throughout
the city. The University of Dhaka (1921) and several technical schools and
museums are located here.
Attractions of Dhaka
Mosques : Dhaka has several hundred mosques. Prominent are Baitull Mukarram-National
Mosque, the seven Domed Mosque (17th century), Star Mosque (18th century)
,
Chawkbazar Mosque and Huseni Dalan Mosque.
Lalbagh Fort
: 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.
Bahadur Shah
Park: It was built to commemorate the martyrs of the first liberation war
(1857-59) against British rule. It is said that the revolting sepoys and their
civil compatriots were publicly hanged here.
Bangabandhu
Memorial Museum : The residence of the father of the nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi has been turned into a musuam. It contains
rare collection of personal effects and photographs of his lifetime.
Mukti Juddha
Museum : Situated at Segun Bagicha area of the city the museum contains rare
photographs of Liberation war and items used by the freedom fighters during the
period.
Ahsan Manzil
Museum : 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.
Curzon Hall
: Beautiful architectural building named after Lord Curzon. It now houses
the Science Faculty of Dhaka University.
Old High Court
Building : Originally built as the residence of the British Governor, it
illustrates a happy blend of European and Mughal architecture.
Dhaka Zoo : 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.
National Museum
: 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.
Botanical
Garden : Built on an area of 205 acres of land at Mirpur and adjacent to
Dhaka Zoo. One can have a look at the zoo and the botanical garden in one
trip.
National Park : Situated at Rejendrapur, 40 km. north of Dhaka city , this is a vast (1,600
acres) national recreational forest with facilities for picnic and rowing
etc.
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.
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 : 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.
Baldha Garden
: Unique creation of the late Narendra Narayan Roy, the landlord of Baldha.
Year of establishment was 1904. Located in Wari area of Dhaka city, the garden
with its rich collection of indigenous and exotic plants is one of the most
exciting attraction for naturalists and tourists.
Ramna
Green: A vast stretch of green garden surrounded by a serpentine lake near
the Sheraton Hotel.
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.
Science Museum
: The museum is a modern learning center related to the latest scientific
discoveries.
It is situated at Agargaon.
National
Memorial : It locates at Savar, 35, km. from Dhaka city. The memorial
designed by architect Moinul Hossain is dedicated to the sacred memory of the
millions of unknown martyrs of the war of liberation.