Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh.It is founded in 1608.It has an exciting history and rich cultural heritage.It stands on the bank fo the river Buriganga and it is now city corporation.The total area of the city is approximately 1550 sq.km and population is about 16 million.It is called the city of mosques and the city of rickshaws.
Some of the outstanding attractions of the city are given bellow :-
Ahsan Monjil
Ahsan Manjil is situated at Kumartoli in Dhaka city on the bank of the Buriganga river,it was the residential palace and the Banglow of the Nawabs of Dhaka.Long time it was careless and closed but few years ago it has been turned into a museum.
The costraction of this palace was begun in 1859 completed in 1872.Abdul Gani named it Ahsan Manjil after his son Khawja Ahsanullah.At that time the newly built palace was known as Rang Mahal and earlier one is called Andar Mahal.On April 7,1888,a terible tornedo caused severe damage to Ahsan Manjil.Particularly the Andar Mahal was fully damaged.Nawab Ahsanullah rebuilt the Rang Mahal and Andar Mahal using good quality breaks from Ranigong.
Ahsan Manjil was badly damaged again by the earthquake of 12 June 1897.Nawab Ahsanullah repaired it again.Ahsan Manjil is one of the significant architectural monument in Bangladesh.
Star Mosque
Star mosque was made by Zaminder Mirza Ghulam Pir in the early 18th century.After a local business man named Ali Jan Bepary renovated this mosque,Japanese,china and English clay tiles were attached for glittering during 1926.This is the most beautiful decorated mosque in Bangladesh.In absence of minaret,it is distinctive for its low-slung style.Actually it was made with four corner towers in Mughal style.During the redecoration,the mosque was substantially altered.The tiles illustrated with pictures of Mt.Fuji.
Lalbagh Fort
3rd son of Mughal Emperor Auorangzeb Prince Muhammed Azam started the constraction in 1678.When Prince Mohammed Azam 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.Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbag fort are a small three domed beautiful mosque,the mausoleum of Bibi Pari and the Audience Hall and Hammam complex is now a museum.It has a tower for observing out side position.Sunday to Thursday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. but Friday from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.During the winter ( closed on Saturday & other national holidays )from April to October opening times are half an hour later.
Shakhari Bazar
In 17th century some ancestors of the current dwellers started coming to this area.Mostly the followers were Bishnu or Krishna.They were very expert for making SHAKA ( .Benglees from Conch shell ).The artisans were known as SHAKHARI.They use traditional and unique technique before but now they use modern technique.Conch shells are symbol of good fortune and purity for Hindus.Married woman wear conch shells bangles on both wrists and to break them after husband's dies.More Hindus women are unable to affort Indian and Sri Lanka's conch shell so they use more cheaper plastic goods.
New Market
New Market is very famous government market.It is a modern market in Bangladesh undoughted.There are every kinds of shop i.e Book shop,Household items,Jewellery,Ready made garments,fresh fish,meat and vegetables including fruits in New Market.Many kinds of customers from local and abroad come to visit New Market and also buy defferent items for their necessary things.
Dhaka University
Dhaka University started in 1921.In this time it was started with 3 faculties,12 depertments,60 teachers,877 students.There were 3 residential halls of the university in first time.In a short time it grew a prestigious position in the sub-continent.History of Bangladesh is very cosely related to the history of the Dhaka University.Now Dhaka University has 7 Faculties,46 depertments with total numer of about 30,000 students,1200 teachers and 18 residential halls.
National Museum
Dhaka Museum set in 1913 in British period,was renamed as the National Museum and shifted to its new building at Shahbag in 1983.There are 4 departments namely 1.History and classical 2.National History 3.Ethnography and Decorative art and 4.Contemporary art and world civilization.There are many kinds of collection in museum i.e Hindu's,Buddists,Tribal peoples,Local usual things and Mughals during the 2nd and 3rd century.There are Nakshikantha,muslin clothes,a lot of black stone and liberation gallery in Museum.It is open Saturday-wednesday from 10 a.m.to 4.30 p.m. and friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. but thursday is closed.
National Parliament House
National parliament house is situated at She-e-Bangla Nagar.In Pakistan period Government took dicission,Dhaka would be second capital of Pakistan so they were approved to establish a parliament house in 1963.According to it was designed by world famous American architect Mr.Louis I.Kahn and the constraction started in 1965 but could not be completed due to Liberation movement and ensuing war of Liberation.After the remaining construction was completed by the goverment of Bangladesh.
Mainamati
Mainamati is a historical place and it is very much attractive for tourists.An isolated eleven mile long spur of dimpled hills known as the Mainamati-Lalmai range,114 km south east of Dhaka and 8 km west of Comilla.It was named after the Chandra dynasty king Govindra Chandra's mother.Exploration on this range has revealed over 50 ancient sites dotting the hills,mostly containing different types of Buddhist remains of the 8th to 12th centuries AD.Excavations revealed interesting and informative finds at a number of sites,locally known as Salban Vihara,Itakhula Mura,Rupban Mura,Kutila Mura,Ananda Rajar Badi,Charpatra Mura and Mainamati Ranir Badi.Most of tourist like to visit Salban Vihara,Itakhula Mura and Rupban Mura.The Museum of Mainamati is just beyond Salban Vihara and it's opening time is 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m daily,Sunday Thursday and Friday from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m and during October to March,10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m from Sunday to Thursday and Friday from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. during April to September.It is closed on Saturday.
Sonargaon
Sonargaon was a king palace of Bengal from 13th to 17th century during the Chandra and Deva dynasty.It is 27km east of Dhaka city.The Panam was a flourished city in those days.In 1611 the Mughals considered the location too exposed to the Portuguese and Mogh pirates and established Dhaka as their Capital.It was the famous centre for weaving the Muslin and it was exported to many countries of the world.Folklore Museum at Sonargaon open from 9.00 a.m.to 5.00 p.m. everyday but Wednesday from 10.00 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on Thursday.
National Srity Shoudho
It's distance is about 35 km from Dhaka city at Savar.It built in memory of millions who died in the liberation war in 1971.This 50 m. high and beautifully monument's structure was designed by the famous architect Mr.Moinul Hossain.In liberation time about 3 million peoples had died so for this memory,Government dicided to build a memorial monument in Savar.
Pottery & Metal Works
Adjacent to Savar lies two traditional Craftman village at Dhamrai and Kakran.Dhamrai was famous for metal works with brass and people of Kakran used to be potters but the introduction of durable and in some cases low substitutes for such metal and pot utensils have monupolised 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.