My dhaka
Gol Talab: A pond to remember!
Surrounded by buildings, the roundish tank is a breather, a recluse to the locals and visitors looking for serenity and recreation. To illustrate, one can go angling there in exchange of a fee.
The Mughal mosque of Karwan Bazar
Founded in circa 1680, historians call it the mosque of Khwaja Ambar, stating that Ambar was the "head eunuch" of subahdar Nawab Shaista Khan.
1863 vs 2024: Comparing 2 visuals of a Mughal mosque in Dhaka
Fabeck made a number of artworks depicting Dhaka, such as a beautiful watercolour of Buriganga, which we have featured earlier.
Neglected heritage: A historic gate in ruins
You may have visited Ahsan Manzil — or at least know of it — but did you ever encounter this dilapidated gateway?
How did Motijheel get its name?
Another etymology that somewhat resonates with the aforementioned one is that Motijheel was the name of a canal or rivulet that flowed in or around the area; then, the label was referred to a particular pond, and eventually, an overall locality adopted the name.
A Dhaka puzzle: Secrets of a forgotten building
What is that prominently displayed multi-storied building? The structure is shrouded in mystery, as there is no definite answer as to what purpose the edifice served.
An age-old artwork of a Dhaka heritage
This artwork, from the year 1823, gives a rare glimpse of Boro Katra.
A Buriganga painting from 1861
One such painting was created in the year 1861, by Frederick William Alexander de Fabeck, a doctor who served as an assistant surgeon in Bengal during the British colonial era. Today (15 September) is his birthday!
The beautiful gate of Dhaka Christian Cemetery
After all, we are talking about a graveyard that is very old. According to Perween Hasan's chapter in the book "Dhaka Past, Present, Future," the oldest grave in the compound dates back to 1774!
Breaking stereotypes: A male nurse in the city
Roy, a pragmatic youth, opted to get a degree in nursing. Moreover, his cousin’s nursing career which started at a government hospital with a healthy salary became his inspiration.
A forgotten history: The Prince who dethroned Dhaka as a capital
His tenure in Bengal began in 1639, and a curious footnote would be that he actually stripped Dhaka of its status as a Mughal capital, shifting the seat of government to Rajmahal (a place now in India).
Lighting up Dhaka: The first electric lights in our city!
In the late 19th century, some of the streets had oil lamps, and there was also an announcement by Ahsanullah to introduce gas lamps.
Curzon Hall: Beyond Dhaka University!
Dhaka University was established in 1921, whereas the foundation of Curzon Hall was laid in 1904.
The Pogose legacy: An Armenian heritage in Dhaka
Now known as Pogose Laboratory School and College, operating under Jagannath University, it was founded as far back as 1848, by Joakim Gregory Nicholas Pogose, a rich Armenian businessman.
The company that made horse carriages popular in Dhaka
When you see a carriage today in the capital, you probably think of it as a recreational ride or a vehicle by which bridegrooms arrive at weddings.
The bakharkhani types!
Bakharkhani in Dhaka mainly comes in three flavours. Perhaps, the most popular is the classic one. There is also a sweet twist to the classic bakharkhani, which is sometimes slightly harder in texture.
Lalbagh Fort: A cursed Mughal monument?
Hence, first abandoned by a prince, and then shunned away as inauspicious, Lalbagh Kella remained a work-in-progress, forever incomplete!
Gandaria: Sugarcane central of a bygone era
The hint of this past is in its very name — “gandari” means sugarcane, and it is widely believed that the etymology is based on all the sugarcane cultivation that took place there.
Old Dhaka's Beauty Lassi going strong even after 100 years!
How much did our city change in the last 100 years? Definitely an astounding lot! But Beauty Lassi and Falooda has stood — nay, won — the test of time.