DHAKA DIVISION
Dhaka division is located at center of the country has an area of 31119 sq. km and a population of 38.678 million. It has 17 districts and 64 municipalities. Main rivers of this division are padma, jamuna, meghna, old brahmaputra, dhaleshwari, shitalakshya, brahmaputra, buriganga, arial khan. Madhupur and Bhawal Garhs are located to the northern parts of Dhaka, in Gazipur, southern part of Mymensingh and eastern part of Tangail districts.
Garo hills are located in Mymensingh district. Dhaka (Capital City) stands on the bank of the river Buriganga.
DHAKA CITY
Dhaka once merely a small town dating from the 4th century, first received principal status during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. In 1608 Emperor Jahangir pointed Islam Khan Chisti as the subedhar Provincial governor) of Bengal. Dhaka founded in 1608 has an exciting history and rich cultural heritage. Built on the bank of the river Buriganga, Dhaka remained the capital under the Mughals until 1704.
The British East India Company extended its power to such an extent that by 1757 it controlled all of Bengal except Dhaka, which it took eight years later. The Mughal nawab of Bangala. Naim Nizarnat, was allowed to govern under the British. It was under British auspices during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that the dominant forms of current economic development were established: vast plantations of indigo, sugar, tobacco, tea and, of course, jute.
At the same time the other European powers were eased out the Dutch surrendered their property to the British in 1781. In 1824, after almost six decades of indirect rule, the British finally took over direct control and administration of the city. In 1887 Dhaka became a district capital of Bangladesh, and in 1905 Bengal was divided into east and west, the eastern section
From a population of around one million in 1971, Dhaka has exploded to something like 14 million and rising. And now become popular as a “Dhaka mega city”. The total area of the city is approximately 1550 sq. km., with a population of 14 million. It was adorned with the glory of being the capital of the region when it was successively under the Moghal and the British rule. Bangladesh's capital is growing uncontrollably into one of the world's biggest cities. It is the place of last resort for the dispossessed and desperate from the countryside, who pour into the city whenever a natural disaster strikes, straining the city's resources even more.
But Dhaka is also the Center of the emerging are middle class. The success stories of the slow but steady economic expansion. New cars choke the roads, and together with other motor vehicles they seem to be pushing rickshaws off the major roads. The air pollution is among the worst in the world. The only way to escape the pandemonium of the crowded streets is to head out of town. Dhaka does, however, have a mad charm of its own, not unlike the Bangkok of 20 years ago. Dhaka is the rickshaw capital of the world. There are more here (over 6OO,OOO) than anywhere in the world, and they are by far the most colorfully painted as well. Riding one is always a highlight of any trip here.
Tourist Attractions :
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.
Hindu Temples :
Dhakeswari temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Dhaka and was established in the 11th century. By some accounts it is said that Dhaka city originates its name from the Dhakeswari temple. The temple is visited every day by number of devotees to make offering to the goddess. It can be visited any day.
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 :
Prince Mohammed Azam, 3rd son of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, started building the Fort Aurangabad in 1678. As he left Dhaka, he handed it over to Nawab Shaista Khan, the next governor, for completion. He continued the work, but due to premature death of his beloved daughter Bibi Pari, all building activities were suspended , considering it as inauspicious to continue the work.
Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh fort are a small three-domed elegant mosque , the mausoleum of Bibi Pari, and the Audience Hall and Hammam complex is now housing a museum. When the fort was built, the river Buriganga used to flow very close to the Lalbagh Fort to the South. It can be visited from Sunday to Thursday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Friday from 2:30pm to 5:30pm, during the winter (closed on Saturday & other national holidays). From April to October, opening and closing times are half an hour later.
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.
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.
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.
Sonargaon :
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 village.
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.
Pottery & Metal Works :
Adjacent to Savar lies , two traditional Craftsman village, Dhamrai and Kakran. Dhamrai was famous for metalwork's with brass and people of Kakran used to be potters. But the introduction of durable and in some cases low cost substitutes for such metal and pot utensils have monopolized the whole market, pushing away the artisans to change their profession. Only a handful of families are still trying to stick to their old profession and mainly depending on the overseas orders.