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Bird's view of Dhaka city
Aparajeo Bangla, Dhaka
University
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The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka with its exciting history and
rich culture Known the world over as the city of mosques and muslin. It
has attracted travelers from far and near through ages. It has history
dating back to earliest time. But the exact date of its foundation is not
known. However, according to recorded history it was founded in 1608 A.D.
as the seat of the imperial Mughal Viceroy of Bengal.
Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a busy
city of about seven million people with an area of about 815 sq. km Having
a happy blending of old and new architectural trends, Dhaka has been
developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all
spheres of life. It is the centre of industrial, commercial, cultural,
educational and political activities for Bangladesh. At Tongi Teigaon,
Demra, Pagla, Kanchpur the industrial establishments turn-out daily
necessities. Motijheel is the main commercial area of the city. Dhaka's
major waterfront Sadarghat is on the bank of the river Buriganga and is
crowded with all kinds of river craft, yachts, country boats, motor
launches, paddle - steamers, fishermen's boats all bustling with
activity. Colorful rickshaws (tricycle) on the city streets are common
attractions for the visitors. Some of the outstanding tourist attractions
of Dhaka are:
GENERAL INFORMATION
:
Area
: 815.85 Sq. kilometers (approx.)
Population
: Seven million
(approx.)
Climate :
Tropical, with heavy rainfall and bright sunshine in the monsoon and warm
for the greater part of the year. The winter months, from November to
March, are however, most likeable, cool and
pleasant.
Temperature:
Max.
Min.
summer
36.7°C
21.1°c
Winter
31.7°C
10.5°c
Rainfall : 2540 mm
annually.
Humidity : 80 percent (approx.)
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The embellished Star
Mosque
Dhakeshwari Temple
Armenian Church, Dhaka
Lalbagh Ford,
Dhaka
The
National Martyrs' Monument
at Savar
Bangabandhu Memorial Museum
Muktijuddha Museum,
Dhaka
National
Museum
Ahsan Manzil, Dhaka
National Parlimament
Building
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Mosque : Seven
domed Mosque (17th century), Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Star Mosque
(18th century)
Hindu Temples :
Dhakeshwari Temple (llth Century), Ramkrishna
Mission.
Churches : Armenian Church (1781 A.D.)
St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, Church of Bangladesh or former Holy Rosary
Church (1677 A.D.) at Teigaon.
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 sipahis
stationed here backed by the people revolted against British forces. Outstanding among the monuments of
the Lalbagh are the tomb of Pari Bibi (Fairy lady), Lalbagh Mosque,
Audience Hall and Hammam of Nawab Shaista Khan now housing a
museum.
National Memorial :
Located at Savar, 35, km. from Dhaka city. The memorial designed by architect
Moinul Hossein, is dedicated to the sacred memory of the millions of
unknown martyrs of the 1971 war of liberation.
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 sipahis and their civil compatriots mere publicly
hanged
Bangabandhu Memorial Museum : The residence
of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi
Residential Area has been turned into a museum. it contains rare
collection of personal effects and photographs of his
lifetime.
Mukti Juddha
Museum :
Situated at Segun Bagich a
area of the city contains rare photographs of Liberation war and items
used by the freedom fighters during the
period.
National Museum : Centrally
located, the museum contains a large number of interesting collections
including sculptures and paintings of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim
periods.
Science Museum :
Located at Agargaon, the museum is a modern learning Centre related
to the latest scientific discoveries.
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 r
cultural heritage. It was the home of the Nawab of Dhaka and a Silent
[spectator to many events.
Today's 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.
Mausoleum of National leaders
: Located at the south western corner of Suhrawardy Uddyan it is the
eternal resting piece of three great national leaders, Sher-e-Bangla A,K.
Fazlull Haque, Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy and Khawja
Nazimuddin.
Banga Bhaban : Tourists can have a
look (outside view only) of Banga Bhaban, the official residence of the
president.
Bara Katra : This building of grand scale, now almost in
ruins, is one of the most important remains of the Mughal peirod in Dhaka.
If is of the type of 'Katra' (enclosed quadrangle building) with a
gigantic frontage towards the river Buriganga. It was built by Abul Qasim,
Dewan of Shah Shuja in 1644 A.D. It served the purpose of a
caravanserai.
Chota Katra: Situated about 200 yards east of Bara Katra,
Chota Katra was built in 1663 A.D. by Nawab Shaista Khan. This is of
similar plan and purpose as the Bara Katra but is smaller in
size.
National Art Gallery : Situated in the Shilpakala
Academy premises this has a representative collection of folk-art and
painting by artists of Bangladesh.
National Assembly Complex
: Sangsad Bhaban, the National Assembly Complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar
designed by the famous architect Luis 1. Kahn has distinctive
architectural features.
Suhrawardy Uddyan (Garden) : At a
stone's thrown distance from Dhaka Sheraton Hotel is the Suhrawardy
Uddyan, formerly known as the Race Course, the popular park of the city.
It is here that the clarion call for independence of Bangladesh was given
by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the 7th March
1971 and curiously enough it is again here that the commander of the
occupation forces surrendered on the 16th December 1971.
Baldha
Garden : Baldha Garden has collection of rare plants and
flowers.
Ramna Garden : Ramna park is a vast stretch of
green ground surrounded by a serpentine lake.
Zoological Garden
: Called Mirpur Zoo, it is situated at Mirpur 16 km NW of Dhaka, on
230 acres of land.
Botanical Garden: Built over an area of
205 acres of land at Mirpur just east of the Zoo. Objective of
garden-botanical education, research, preservation of plants and some
recreation.
National Park : Situated at Rajendrapur, 40 km
due north of Dhaka, within Joydevpur Police Station in the magnificent
Bhawal region of Dhaka-Trishal-Mymensingh highway, this is a vast (1,600
acres) national recreational forest, ideal for hose who love
nature.
Carson Hall : Beautiful
architectural building named after Lord Carson. It now houses the Science
Faculty of Dhaka University.
High Court Building :
Originally built as the residence of British Governor. it illustrate
happy blend of European 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. |
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Bullock
cart-sculpture at
Sonargaon Folk-art museum |
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.
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Zia International Airport,
Dhaka
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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
Bungalows at Chandra and Salna which can also be hired by
tourists.
Sightseeing Tours : Bangladesh Parjatan
Corporation runs conducted sightseeing tours from its Tourist Information
Centre at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. The duration of the Dhaka City sightseeing
tours is three hours approximately. The Corporation operates a number of
other interesting sightseeing tours around the Dhaka City (Ph: 8119192).
For the transit passengers the Corporation also runs special city
sightseeing tours from from the Tourist Information Centre, Zia
International Airport,
Ph: 880-2-8914416.
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Clubs :
Dhaka Club, Dhaka, formed in 1851 in the name of Ramna Dhaka Club. Accom,
Rest. & Bar, Swimming Pool, Indoor Games, Tennis, Squash Ph: 880-2-
8619180-4, 505800-4
Golf Club, Kurmitola, Temporary Membership for
tourists available, Golf, Rest. & Bar. Ph: 880-2-605301
Australian Club Rd. 83, Gulshan, Membership to all Australians and
New Zealanders, Swimming, Tennis, Squash, Volleyball,
Ph:880-2-
603775
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Waterfront
Restaurant, Dhaka |
American Club,
Gulshan, Membership open to all Americans and their families, Swimming,
Tennis, Squash, Volleyball, Basketball, Rest,
Ph: 880-2-8821025-27
Swedish Club, Rd. 47, Gulshan, open to all Swedish and their
guests, Swimming, Squash, Tennis, Ph: 880-2-601043.
Netherlands,
Recreation Centre, Road 74, house 33, Gulshan 2, members must be Dutch,
Swimming Tennis, Rest, Ph: 880-2-602039. |
