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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.
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.
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.
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.
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 south western
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 south-east and north-east
corners and a subsidiary small unpretentious gateway
on north, it also contians 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 palacial edifices of the interior and as
such was a type of palace-fortress rather than
a seige fort.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sonargaon : About
29 km. from Dhaka. Sonargaon is one of the oldest
capitals of Bangal. A Folk Arts and Crafts Museum
has been established here.
Other attractions in and around Dhaka include
the Institute of Arts and Crafts with its representative
collection of folk art and paintings, handicraft
shops. Aparajeya Bangla monument, picnic spots
at Chandra and Salna, industrial estates of Tongi,
Narayanganj, Demara, Tejgaon, cruising by country
boat in the nearby river or a visit to a village
to see jute cultivation, weaving and pottery making.
Last but not the least travel by a horse driven
cart or rickshaw along busy Dhaka streets is a
rewarding experience.
About 27 km. from Dhaka, Sonargaon is one of the
oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of
Deva Dynasty until the 13th century. From then
onward till the advent of the Mughals, Sonargaon
was subsidiary capital of the Sultanate of Bengal.
Among the ancient monuments still intact are the
Tomb of Sultan Ghiasuddin (1399-1409 A. D), the
shrines of Panjpirs and Shah Abdul Alia and a
beautiful mosque in Goaldi villaae.
Picnic Spots : There
are good picnic spots in the area around Savar
and Mirzapur. Other beauty spots connected by
road with Dhaka include Joydevpur, Sripur, Madhupur,
Rajendrapur National Park, Chandra and Salna,
all of which have rest-houses that can be used
by tourists on request to the Forest Department.
Bangaldesh Parjatan Corporation owns two picnic
spots with Bunglows at Chandra and Salna which
can also be hired by tourists.
Mosque of Baba Adam :
Of a slightly later date the elegant 6-domed mosque
(43'x36') of Baba Adam in Rampal near Dhaka was
erected by one Malik Kafur during the reign of
the last llyas Shahi Sultan, Jalauddin Fateh Shah
in 1483 A.D. It displays the same characterstic
features of the period such as the faceted octagonal
turrets at 4 corners, the curved cornice, the
facade and 3 mihrabs relieved richly with beautiful
terracotta floral and hanging patterns.
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. Frequently
used in calendars. Entrance: through a lane named
after the mosque.
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 flight of stairs
lead to it; from the south, east and north. On
the east is a vast varanda which is also used
for prayer and Eid congregation. Below in the
ground floor is a shopping centre.
Ahsan Manzil Museum : On
the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka the Pink
majestic Ahsan Manzil has been renovated and turned
into a museum recently. It is an epitome of the
nation's rich cultural heritage. It is the home
of Nawab of Dhaka and a silent spectator to many
events.
Today's renovated Ahsan Manzil 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.
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