Old Dhaka

Old Dhaka(Bengali:পুরান ঢাকা,romanized:Puran Dhaka) is a term used to refer to the historic old city ofDhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.It was founded in 1608 asJahangirabadorJahangirnagar(Bengali:জাহাঙ্গীরনগর,romanized:Jahangirnogor,lit.'City of Jahangir'), the capital ofMughal Province of Bengaland named after theMughal emperorJahangir. It is located on the banks of theBuriganga River.  It was one of the largest and most prosperous cities of theIndian subcontinentand the center of the worldwidemuslintrade. The thenNawab of BengalMurshid Quli Khan, later shifted the capital from Dhaka toMurshidabadin the early-18th century. With the rise of Calcutta (nowKolkata) duringBritishrule, Dhaka began to decline and came to be known as the "City of Magnificent Ruins". The British however began to develop the modern city from the mid-19th century.
Old Dhaka is famous for its variety of foods and amicable living of people of all religions in harmony. The main Muslim festivals celebrated with funfair here areEid-ul-Fitr,Eid-ul-AdhaandAshura,Hindu festivals likeDurga Puja,Kali Puja, andSaraswati Pujaare also celebrated with enthusiasm. The festivals which are celebrated by all religious communities with much splendor includeShakrain(পৌষ সংক্রান্তি),Pohela Falgun,andHalkhata(হালখাতা). Religion-wise, the old Dhaka is predominantly Muslim, while a significant number of Hindus also reside here. Christians and Buddhists are also inhabitants here in small numbers. Its inhabitants are known as the demonymDhakaiya.
The existence of a settlement in the area that is now Dhaka dates from the 500 BC to 200 BC.The city area was ruled by the ancient Hindu kingdom ofVanga, the Buddhist kingdom ofKamarupa,Pala Empireand theChandra dynastybefore passing to the control of theHinduSena dynastyin the 10th century. The name of the town may have derived after the establishment of the GoddessDhakeshvari's temple by Ballal Sena in the 12th century.Dhaka was ruled byHinduDeva dynastyofBikrampurafter the fall ofSena dynasty.
After the Islamic invasion in Bengal, the area came under the reign of theDelhi Sultanate(sometimes tenuously), then by theBengal Sultanate, before being taken over by theMughalsin the 1576.Dhaka started to grow from 1610 under the MughalSubedars.The oldest standing mosque was built in 1454 by Bakht Binat during the rule ofNasiruddin Mahmud Shah.
The development of townships and housing has resulted in a significant growth in population, as the city was proclaimed the capital (replacingRajmahal) of theBengal Subahunder Mughal rule in 1608. Mughal Subahdar Islam Khan was the first administrator of the city. Khan named the town "Jahangirabad" (জাহাঙ্গীরাবাদ; City of Jahangir) in honour of the Mughal EmperorJahangir, although this name was dropped soon after Jahangir's death.Farashganj(French town) was settled by the French in 1780, then known as French Market. The area is known for its 19th and early 20th century mansions.Farashganj also had the presence of theFrench East India Company.The 18th and 19th century saw significant number ofArmenianssettle down inArmanitola, then a predominantly Armenian neighborhood. There is anArmenian Churchin Armanitola.The British converted an old Afghan fort into aCentral Jailin 1820.Das Babu, prominent merchant had a daughter Indira, whose tomb is present here. Indira road is named after her and not afterIndira Gandhias some mistakenly believe it to be.Pogose School, was founded by Armenian businessman Nicholas Pogose, as the first private school in Dhaka.The national political party,Bangladesh Awami League, was founded inRose Garden Palaceon 23 June 1949.
The area saw rise in drug abuse, especiallyYa BaandPhensedyl.Old Dhaka has a large number of chemical, plastic, electrical goods factories, and printing presses. The government of Bangladesh is trying to relocate them out of Old Dhaka.In2010 a firethat was flamed by chemical warehouse killed more than hundred people and increased the calls for chemical factories and warehouse to be moved from the area.The narrow lanes make it difficult for fire trucks to reach fires in the area and many of them are too narrow to even fit a fire truck.Dhaka's Third Special Judge's Court is located in Bakshibazar, Old Dhaka.Ansarullah Bangla Teamattacked a police check post, leaving two cops injured and the capture of one terrorist on 1 February 2017.It fell under the jurisdiction ofDhaka South City Corporationafter the administrative division of Dhaka.
Many of the British and Mughal era buildings of old Dhaka face the risk of being knocked down to be replaced with modern apartment buildings. Conservationist are trying to preserve them but the government of Bangladesh has shown little interest in preserving them.The government declaredShankhari Bazaara heritage site in 2013, which met resistance from the residents who wanted to expand the buildings.In 2014 a mosque built in the place of 1707 construction, which was demolished leading to controversy and criticism.Government run schools are in a depleted condition in Old Dhaka as of 2015.In 2016 the three hundred-year-old Gorostan Shahi Mosque was demolished to build a new structure.Many of the buildings are demolished becauseRAJUKand the Archaeological Department of the government did not list them as historical buildings which would have protected them.
Architecture
Bahadur Shah Parkis a 19th-century park that serves as an exercise ground for the residents.Sadarghatis the river terminal of Dhaka City. Shankhari Bazaar is a historically Hindu neighborhood known for its Shakhari (conch musical instrument) makers.The Shakhari also makebanglesfrom the shells. The shops are in decline as many news to buy cheaper bangles made from artificial shell.Northbrook Hall auditoriumwas founded in 1881; it holds art exhibitions.Pohela Falgunis celebrated in old Dhaka.Bulbul Academy of Fine Artsis a historic art school in Old Dhaka.TheDhaka Central Jail, which has been closed down now houses a museum.The jail was founded in 1788 as a criminal ward. when it closed in 2016 it housed over 8 thousand prisoners.Shakrain is a festival of kite in Old Dhaka. It marks the end ofPoush, the first month of winter in Bangladesh.It also involves rooftop parties,fire-breathing, and fireworks.Bongshal Pond is Tanti Bazaar is a community pool and gathering spot.Chaand Raat (the night before eid) is celebrated here with fireworks and Adda (hangout).Taazia processionsare held byShia Muslimson the occasion of Muharram nearHossaainiandBarha Katra.There are 12 musical schools in Old Dhaka.Old Dhaka has a sense of community where neighbors know each other and that differentiate it fromnew Dhaka.During Durge Puja some parts of Old Dhaka are brightly decorated and people play drums in the streets.
Old Dhaka is famous for itsbiriyani,morogpolau, andkebabs.Morog(Chicken)polauis set apart from traditional biriyani in its use of turmeric andmalai(cream of milk) together.An old specialty isbakarkhaniwith‘kata moshlar mangsho'is meat cooked with whole spices not powder or paste.Farukul er muri(puffed rice) a venture that started in the 1980s.Other well known dishes include "glassy beef" which is beef with a thick layer of oil on top giving it a glassy appearance.Sheer khormais a desert item that uses a variety of nuts.Nihariandkacchi biryaniareMughal dishesfamous in old Dhaka.Kazi Alauddin Road andChawkbazarare known for their road side stalls selling traditionaliftaritems duringRamadan.Boro baper polay khai, made with minced meat, chick peas, eggs, potatoes and 13 different spices, is a Ramadan specialty.Faludais a traditionaliftardesert andlassiis a specialty drink.Shab-e-Baratis celebrated withrotiwithHalwa, ornate breads, and breads shaped like fish.Kala Bhuna, a beef dish, was created in Old Dhaka and is a speciality of the area.Old Dhaka is home to the historicPrince of Wales bakery, established in the 1850s in Lakshmi Bazaar by a man fromWales. The bakery has been owned by three generations of the same family.
Local famous foods are:
Farashganj SCfounded in 1959 andRahmatganj MFSfounded in 1933 are two major Old Dhaka-basedassociation footballteams.East End Club, founded in 1933, is one of the top sports clubs in Dhaka producing players likeAminul Islam Bulbul.
The area has well known schools likeDhaka Collegiate School,Pogos High SchoolDhaka govt Muslim high school,St. Gregory's High School & College,K. L. Jubilee High School & CollegeBangla Bazar Govt. Girls High SchoolandSt. Francis Xavier's Girls School & College, Kabi Nazrul Govt. College.Jagannath Universityis a leading public university in the country located at Old Dhaka.Dhaka Collegecampus was initially located atDhaka Collegiate Schoolpremise before moving to its current location.Sir Salimullah Medical Collegewas founded in 1875 in Old Dhaka; its hospital wing isMitford Hospital.
Bengali languageis predominantly spoken by the people of Old Dhaka. The most prominentBengali dialectsof this region areUrban East Bengali ColloquialdialectandDhakaiya Kutti, spoken by the localBengalisof Old Dhaka inBangladesh.Dhakaiya Urdu, a dialect ofUrdu, mainly spoken by Khusbas community and the members ofNawab Familyof Dhaka. TheBihari refugeesof Old Dhaka also speak a colloquial dialect ofUrdu.
Dholaikhalin old Dhaka has large number of light engineering firms. The government is also trying to remove chemical factories from Old Dhaka.Counterfeit cosmetics for Dhaka are made in neighborhoods in Old Dhaka.
Old Dhaka consists of 8 metropolitanthanas-Hazaribagh,Lalbagh,Chowkbazar,Bangsal,Kotwali(Dhaka Sadar),Wari,SutrapurandGendaria. Old Dhaka is under the administration of Dhaka South City Corporation. Old Dhaka is bounded by the areas ofMohammadpuron the west,Dhanmondi,New Market,Shahbagh,Ramna,MotijheelandSabujbaghon the north, Jatrabari andShyampuron the east, adding alsoKamrangir CharThana andKeraniganjUpazilaon the south.
Old Dhaka falls under the control Dhaka South City Corporation.
List of landmarks in this region: