Ahsan Manjil (Pink Palace) and other Dhaka, Bangladesh Things to Do Tips

The Palace of Nawab (i.e. local ruler) of Dhaka is turned into a museum these days. Built on the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka the pink majestic Ahsan Manzil is a part of nations cultural heritage. Nawabs of Dhaka contributed to the advancement of largely Muslim population of the East Bengal being stationed here.

This palace now has 31 rooms 23 galleries displaying portraits, furniture. household articles and collections belonging to Nawabs' families. Interesting to visit are the 'andarmahal' (innerhouse / harem), 'rangmahal' (hall room). The pink colored palace has a huge dome at the top and wide staircase open to the river Buriganga in front. A century ago this was the prime location of residenc eof the rich people, all wanted to live by the river. The red colored additional building is used as a museum to display paintings, furniture and collections.

The palace compound is open on all business days with nominal entrance fee.

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Address: near sadarghat (ferry terminal) of Dhaka

Translated as 'undefeatable Bengal', Oporajeyo Bangla is perhaps the most famous sculpture in Bangladesh built on the theme of Independence in 1971. Its located in front of Faculty of Arts & Humanities of Dhaka University. The two male figures represent a villager and a city dweller respectively and the woman with a first aid box - all contributed to the Independence in this country. There is no restriction to get in and take picture of it as it is considered a national piece of art, tho located within the university compound.

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Address: Arts Faculty, Dhaka University

Translated in English as Self-earned Independence, 'Shoparjito Shadhinota' was built in early 90s in front of TSC (Teachers-Students Centre), Dhaka University.

This was built by Shamim Shikdar, a famous female-sculpturist in the country, also a faculty in the university whom Dhaka University commosioned to build this. At the time of inaugorating the sculpture, hardline Islamists threatened to destroy it. Ms. Shikdar who was also good at karate promised to strip anyone whoever apporoaches to do so being present at the spot early morning on the day of inaugoration. Nothing happened and the sculpture is still standing with pride.

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This sculpture installed on TSC roundabout, Dhaka University was funded by private donors and overseen by a left wing student organization to make a point against political violence among the student activists, a serious problem among the public universities in the country. The sculpture is dedicated to a student killed by political violence.

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Address: TSC roundabout, Dhaka university area

Built in 1678, the fort complex is located in the northwestern part of Dhaka on the banks of the Buriganga River. Prince Muhammad Azam, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, began the construction while he was serving as the Viceroy of Bengal. Governor Nawab Shaista Khan continued the project after Prince Azam was recalled to assist his father in the war against the Marhattas.

The southeastern gateway is a majestic structure built in the Mughal style. It was intended to be three storeys, but the upper storey was never completed. The inner facade has a four-centered archway with deep plastered semi-octagonal alcoves on either side. Short octagonal minarets define edges. The outer facade also has a four-centered archway flanked with plastered semi-octagonal alcoves. Above each alcove there is an oriel window in two stages that is capped by an elegant cupola. The central archway leads to a square domed hall with guardrooms on either side.

It appears that the defensive walls were reinforced by an internal embankment of earth along the east portion of the southwest corner. It contains an underground room, which may have been used as a summerhouse. The entrance is under a half-dome, which is decorated with ornamental plaster-cut work.

(compiled)

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Directions: Lalbagh road, close to Azimpur.

Doel is the national bird of Bangladesh. Within few years of independence of this country in 1971, there was a surge for defining national identity. As a part of that program several sculpture with national symbols were built around the city. This can be found in Dhaka univerity area near the roundabout of 'Karjon Hall' on the way to TSC (Teachers-Students Centre). It is built as a fountain-sculpture but the fountain is not always functioning. The sculpture gives the name of the place as Doel Square.

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Known in Bangla as 'Teen Netar Kobor' this is the place of graves of three national leaders who contributed to the indepence and political shape up of the country at differenct times. This is located in Dhaka Universit area within a short walk of the Doel roundabout. The 'Tin Netar Mazar' in Dhaka marking the burial place of the three pre-Liberation Bengali political leaders - A K Fazlul Huq, Khwaja Nazimuddin and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy - is both structurally and aesthetically an appealing interpretation of the traditional Islamic architecture motif of arch.

This establishment overlooks 'Khaja Shahbaj Mosque', a Mughal era historic mosque, built in the 16th century.

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The two Mughal Katras in old Dhaka were originally built as caravanserais. Bara Katra was designed and built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan’s son Shah Shuja. Emperor Shah Shuja had initially wished to use this place as his Shahi Mahal (royal palace) but for unknown reasons changed his plan.

Choto Katra was built in 1663 by Shayesta Kha, Subedar of Gujrat and later Bengal, chief commander of the army in the Golkunda battle after he arrived here. Now it remains in the most hideous and dilapidated state, its massive walls under cakes of mildew and its interior encroached by wretched, deplorable homes resembling slums, and small factories manufacturing soaps and tubes.

Both the katras are private properties now, under negligence, in a stinky crowdy areas, lackin proper government attention and inaccessible to tourists. The picture was taken from the street. These katras are in short walkin distance from Chawkbazar square.

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Address: Near Chawkbazar, Dhaka old city.

This is the oldest Hindu temple in Dhaka City (12th century). The meaning of the name is "Temple of the Goddess of Dhaka". Legend has it that the city of Dhaka was named after this temple.

The origin of the Dhakeshwari temple is obscure. According to the popular legends, the original temple was built in 12th century by Ballal Sen, a Sena dynasty King based in Arakan (Myanmar) and the name of the city was coined after this temple. But the researchers found that the style of architecture of the temple cannot be a resemblance of that period. The temple complex has undergone repairs, renovation and rebuilding in its long years of existence and its present condition does not clearly show any of its original architectural characteristics. Nevertheless, it is certainly an essential part of the cultural heritage of Dhaka city.

The temple consists of four adjoining rekha temples (buildings with a square sanctum on a raised platform with mouldings on the walls covered by tall pyramidal roofs of the typical curvilinear Bangla style. You are likely to find some long-haired sadhus (itinerant holy men) hanging around this colorful establishement.

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Directions: this temple is within the walkin distance of the Lalbagh Fort in the old city close to the edge of the new city.

Husaini Dalan, a Shiite shrine in the old part of the city of dhaka, attributed to the Mughal Period. It is a common practice among the Shia community to build edifices to commemorate the martyrdom of al-Husain, at the battle of Karbala in Iraq on the tenth day of Muharram 61 AH (10 October 680 AD).

Erected by one Sayyid Murad during the governorship of shah shuja, who, although himself a Sunni, was eager to preserve and patronise Shiite institutions. Traditions relate that Sayyid Murad, having seen al-Husain in a vision erecting a tazia khana (house of mourning), was inspired to raise the building, which he named Husaini Dalan. The original building may have been a small structure, expanded to its present form in later times. The east india company repaired it in 1807 and 1810, and a portion of the building was reconstructed after the earthquake of 1897.

Although the Sunni sect is a majority in Bangladesh, there is a small number of muslims belonging to the Shia sect in Dhaka. During the first 10 days of Muharram, it becomes a center of mourning and religious celebration in old Dhaka. Both the Sunni and the Shia followers join the mourning, ending in the festival of Ashura when a great procession parades through the streets.

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Address: Husaini Dalan Road, Old Dhaka