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| Dhaka capital and largest city of Bangladesh downtown Dhaka Dhaka lies near the geographic center of the country, on the Buriganga River. The city proper covers an area of about 60 sq mi (about 154 sq km); the metropolitan area covers about 565 sq mi (about 1,463 sq km). The population of the city is about 6.7 million; that of the metropolitan area is about 12.3 million. Dhaka highlighted on map History The city now known as Dhaka was founded as the capital of the Province of Islam Khan Chisti (Bengal) during the reign of Mughal Emperor Zahangir, who called it Zahangirnagor, in 1608. It remained under Mughal control until 1704. In 1765, the city came under the control of the British East India Company, which renamed it Dacca. In 1905, the city became the capital of a new province comprising East Bengal and Assam. Upon the partition of India in 1947, it became the provincial capital of East Pakistan. It became the capital of Bangladesh upon its independence from Pakistan in 1971. The spelling of the city's name was changed to Dhaka in 1982. Economy Principal industries of Dhaka include textiles (jute, muslin and cotton), food processing (especially rice), and the manufacture of various consumer goods. Many international banking, finance, telecommunications, and services corporations have facilities in and around the city. Government The City of Dhaka is governed by a city corporation, with day-to-day executive power vested in and exercised by a Mayor, who is elected by popular vote every five years. The incorporated area is divided into several wards, each of which has an elected commissioner. Higher Education Dhaka is home to Dhaka College, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Bangladesh (founded in 1840), as well as the University of Dhaka (1921). Other major institutions of higher learning in the city include Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and Sir Salimullah Medical College. Sites and Attractions Bahadur Shah Park was built to commemorate the martyrs of the first war of independence, 1857-1859. It is said that revolting sepoys and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged here. Bangabandhu Memorial Museum was once the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Bangladesh. Today it contains a rare collection of personal effects and photographs of his lifetime. The Central Shahid Minar (Monument of Bangladesh Nationalism) commemorates the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952. All subsequent movements for Bangladesh independence owe their origin to this movement. The Jatiyo Shogshod (National Parliament)
was designed by the noted American architect Louis Khan. Jatiyo Sritee Shoudhow (National Memorial),
located in the suburb of Savar, commemorates the many
unknown martyrs of the first war of independence (1857). Lalbagh Fort was begun in
1678 by Prince Azam, third son of the last Moghul Emperor
Aurangazeb. Construction continued under his son Nawab
Shaista Khan, but was suspended upon the death of his
favorite daughter, Bibi Pari. During the Sepoy Rebellion of
1857, the fort was the site of a bloody battle between
260 Sepoys backed by civilians and British forces.
Attractions inside the fort's walls include the mausoleum
of Bibi Pari and a museum. The National Museum contains sculptures and paintings from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods; inscriptions of Quran in Arabic and Persian letters; Bengali works in Arabic script; and many other national treasures. Suhrawardy Uddyan, formerly known as the Race Course, was where the oath for independence of Bangladesh was taken on March 7, 1971. It is also where the commander of occupation forces surrendered to Bangladesh, on December 16, 1971. Tara Masjid (Star Mosque)
gets its name from a glittering mosaic of broken china.
The mosque was originally built in the 18th century; the
mosaic was added later by a zealous and pious
businessman. See Also |
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>> Bangladesh This page was last updated on 10/26/2018. |
