Dhaka.
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Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. It is a cultural, political, and economic center. The city of Dhaka is famous for its historical monuments, rich culture, and heritage. Dhaka is located in the central part of Bangladesh, near the Padma and Jamuna rivers, which enhance the aesthetic beauty of the city.
History of Dhaka.
Not much is known about the origin of the name Dhaka. There are various theories about it. For example, some say that there were once many dhaka trees (Buti Fudosa) in this region. Again, on the day of the inauguration of the capital, dhaka, i.e. drums, were played here on the orders of Islam Khan. Others want to prove that a Prakrit language called 'Dhakabhasha' was prevalent here, from which the city was named.
"Dhaka on the banks of the Buriganga River" painted by Frederick William Alexander de Febek in 1861.
However, the controversy does not stop here. There are also - the word Dhaka is mentioned as 'observation center' in the Rajtarangini or the eastern kingdom of Samudragupta mentioned in the Allahabad inscription is Dhaka. It is said that King Ballal Sen of the Sena dynasty found an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga in the nearby forest while traveling in the area along the banks of the Buriganga River. In homage to Goddess Durga, King Ballal Sen established a temple in that area.
Since the idol of the goddess was found in a hidden or concealed state, the name of the king's temple is Dhakeshwari Temple. From the name of the temple, the name of the place evolved into Dhaka over time. According to many historians, when the Mughal Emperor Jahangir declared Dhaka as the capital of Suba Bengal, Subadar Islam Khan ordered the playing of 'Dhak' in the city as an expression of joy. The story of this playing of the Dhak took the form of a legend among the people and from that the name of the city became Dhaka.
Historical introduction of Dhaka
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, had some importance in the pre-Mughal era, but the city gained historical prominence during the Mughal era. Not much is known about the origin of the name Dhaka. Some of the popular opinions about it are as follows: a) There were once many dhak trees (Buti Fudosa) in this region; b) Dhak, i.e. drums, were played here on the orders of Islam Khan on the day of the inauguration of the capital; c) A Prakrit language called 'Dhakabhasha' was prevalent here; d) The word Dhaka is mentioned in the Rajtarangini as 'observation center' or Dhaka is the eastern kingdom of Samudragupta mentioned in the Allahabad inscription. There are two mosques in Dhaka city and one in Mirpur as archaeological remains of the pre-Mughal era. The oldest of these was built in 1456 AD (Joao de Barros saw Dhaka as an important place and indicated its location on his map drawn in 1550 AD).
Dhaka is mentioned as a thana (military outpost) in the Akbar Nama and as a pargana of Sarkar Baju in the Ain-i-Akbari. In 1610 AD, Islam Khan Chishti shifted the capital of Subah Bengal from Rajmahal to Dhaka and named it Jahangirnagar after the emperor.
Although it was administratively named Jahangirnagar, the name Dhaka remained in the mouth of the common people. All foreign tourists and officials of foreign companies also used the name Dhaka in their descriptions and letters.
Historical events and administrative evolution
During the pre-Muslim era, the present Dhaka district area was included in the administrative region known as 'Banga'. A part of it was sometimes known as Samatata and sometimes as Harikal. In the early 11th century, Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji ended the Sena rule in Bengal and ushered in Muslim rule.
Before the Mughal era, Hindu and Muslim rulers of Bengal established their capitals at various locations around Dhaka. Some traces of these capital cities can still be seen at Bikrampur, Bhawal and Sonargaon. Although the Mughals wrested the rule of Bengal from the Pathan Sultan in 1575, they had to find sufficient momentum to keep the landowners or Bhuiyans of Bengal under control.
After its establishment as a provincial capital in 1610, Dhaka remained intact for almost a hundred years. The city housed the administrative headquarters and the residences of the subahdar and other officials. For personal and political reasons, Mahzada Shuja (1639-59) shifted the capital. When the subahdari was shifted, Dhaka lost its importance as a capital and became a local administrative center.
The next Subahdar Shah Shuja started construction activities in Dhaka. Shah Shuja's Diwan Mir Abul Kashim built a large building called Bara in 1645 AD. The building is located on the banks of the Buriganga and south of the present Chawkbazar.
The name Mirjumla is associated with several construction works in the history of Dhaka, first the Mirjumla Gate which later became known as Ramna Gate. The gate is located near Curzon Hall and west of the old High Court building on Mymensingh Road.
The next Subahdar Shaista Khan was a renowned builder. However, he also built a Katra. It is known as Chota Katra, this name to distinguish it from Shah Shuja's Bara Katra. He also built several mosques and tombs. Among the mosques, Chawkbazar Mosque, Babubazar Mosque and Satgambuj Mosque are famous. Among the tombs, the most notable is the tomb of Bibi Pari.
Dhaka was a centre of local trade even in the pre-Mughal era due to its location along the river path. Because Dhaka was a manufacturing centre.
The cotton produced here was of high quality and was in great demand in the outside world. Various types of cotton known as muslin were exported. For these purchases, European companies imported large amounts of gold and silver bullion.
The decline of the political power of the Nawabs of Bengal and the rise of the East India Company diminished the administrative importance of Dhaka in the late eighteenth century. In addition, the commercial and manufacturing policies of the East India Company destroyed the financial base of the city.
The 1840s marked a new chapter in the city's history with the onset of a new trend of development and a new era of prosperity. This journey of urban development continued continuously since then. Administrative growth Dhaka was previously the centre of the district administration. It became the headquarters of a large division called Dhaka Division in 1829. Dhaka's administrative importance then increased and by 1885, Dhaka had become the largest civilian centre in Bengal after Kolkata.
Dhaka's administrative importance increased dramatically between 1905 and 1911 when it was made the capital of the new provinces of East Bengal and Assam. A high court and a secretariat were appointed, along with a lieutenant governor.
After the end of British colonial rule and the establishment of the independent state of Pakistan in 1947, Dhaka's rise to prominence as the capital of the new province of East Bengal brought about a more permanent development. From then on, Dhaka was not only the administrative headquarters of the new province but also the seat of the Legislative Council and the National Assembly.
After much struggle, sacrifice and bloodshed, Bangladesh achieved its final victory on 16 December 1971, after a nine-month armed war of liberation. As the capital of an independent sovereign state, Dhaka has gained status as the most important center of political, administrative, and economic, social, educational, and cultural activities.
Location of Dhaka
Dhaka is located in the center of Bangladesh, and is the capital of the country. The city of Dhaka is located near rivers, especially the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna rivers. The city is connected to various districts in the north, south, east and west. Dhaka is bordered by Tangail, Mymensingh and Gazipur districts to the north, Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria districts to the east, Faridpur and Madaripur districts to the south, and Rajbari and Shariatpur districts to the west.
Dhaka is also an important transportation hub of the country, with easy access by air, road and rail.
Dhaka's vehicles
Dhaka has a variety of vehicles, which are used to meet the needs of the city's large population. Some of the main vehicle types are:
1. Auto-rickshaws (CNG or electric): The most common and popular mode of transport in Dhaka. They are small and fast, which is convenient for navigating the narrow streets of the city.
2. Buses: The public bus system is also quite common in Dhaka city. There are buses of different companies that ply between different areas of the city. In addition, new types of branded bus services have also been started, such as BRTC buses and fast bus services.
3. Minibus: This is a smaller bus that runs more frequently and plies on almost every important route. It is a somewhat cheaper way to travel.
4. Rickshaw: Rickshaws are a traditional mode of transport, which is still popular in different areas of Dhaka. They can easily navigate the small streets and lanes.
5. Taxis: There are taxi services in Dhaka city, but they are relatively few in number and their fares can be a bit higher.
6. CNG (Autorickshaw): CNG rickshaw is a type of autorickshaw that runs on CNG gas, and it is a very popular means of transport in Dhaka.
7. Bike (life or motorcycle): It can also be called a life companion, because some people use personal motorcycles. However, using a bike can be very risky due to traffic congestion in the city.
8. App-based ride share (Uber, Pathao, Pathao, etc.): Currently, taxi or motorcycle rental services through apps have become quite popular in Dhaka city. This service is convenient for users, as it provides fare information in advance.
9. Walking: People also travel on foot in some areas of Dhaka city, especially in some busy areas.
Traffic congestion in Dhaka is a major problem, and the government and various organizations are proposing solutions to solve it, such as metro rail, construction of new roads, bicycle lanes, and more.
Dhaka population
As of 2024, the population of Dhaka city is estimated to be around 21 million (or 21 million). However, the population in the Dhaka metropolitan area is even higher, as many more people live in the surrounding areas and suburbs of Dhaka. Dhaka is one of the most populous cities in the world, and the city's population is growing rapidly every year, especially due to domestic internal migration.
Dhaka's rapidly growing population is creating significant challenges for the city's infrastructure and transportation system.
The beauty of Dhaka
The beauty of Dhaka city lies in its historical and cultural diversity, while the blend of modern architecture is also evident here. The beauty of Dhaka can be seen from different perspectives:
1. Historical Structures:
Lalbagh Fort: Built in the 17th century, this fort is a historical monument of Dhaka. Its architectural style and picturesque environment attract tourists.
Mosques (Basundhara): Traditional mosques such as Jama Masjid are a unique aspect of Dhaka's beauty.
Independence Memorial Stadium and other monuments: The monuments built in different parts of the city have become a symbol of the glorious history of the freedom struggle.
2. Natural Beauty:
Shaheed Minar and Suhrawardy Udyan: This area is surrounded by greenery, where people usually go for picnics and spend time in nature. Suhrawardy Udyan also highlights the natural beauty of Dhaka.
Lakes and Parks: Such as Kumudini Lake or Farmgate Lake have increased people's love for natural scenery.
3. Rivers and Banks:
Padma, Jamuna, Meghna Rivers: These rivers add a special dimension to the beauty of Dhaka. Spending time sitting by the river or boating is a pleasant experience for people.
Riverside areas of the city: The natural scenery of the river and its banks is a special aspect of the beauty of Dhaka.
4. Modern architecture:
Modern buildings and shopping malls in Dhaka have made the city's landscape more attractive. Modern structures like Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Paltan Tower, Sky Tower etc. have added a touch of modernity to the beauty of Dhaka.
5. Gardens and Green Areas:
There are some places like DSCC Park or Khilgaon Park where a green and beautiful environment is available.
Botanical Gardens: There are also some botanical gardens outside Dhaka, which are very popular with nature lovers.
6. Markets and Cultural Areas:
Khan Saheb Bazar, Notun Bazar, Boro Bazar etc. have become a part of the cultural beauty of Dhaka city. The culture here, the aroma of food, and the diverse lifestyle of the people make Dhaka more diverse and charming.
The beauty of Dhaka depends on different perspectives, especially the combination of historical structures, natural scenery, modern architecture and cultural environment.
Last words
I have shared some accurate information about Dhaka district with you. I hope you liked the blog. Thank you.
