By Shakir Husain
DHAKA, July 7 (Bernama) -- Bangladesh may lack a spectacular tourist magnet like the Pyramids, but what it has is captivating.
The megacity of Dhaka has iconic buildings, museums, cultural attractions and scenic parks.
The magnificent Ahsan Manzil, the seat of Dhaka's erstwhile nawabs overlooking the Buriganga River, is a must-see place for a glimpse into Bangladesh's centuries-old past.
Nawab Abdul Ghani (1813-1896) named this palace after his son Khawaja Ahsanullah (1846-1901).
The building was completed in 1872 after 13 years of construction.
The Ahsan Manzil, also known as the Pink Palace due to its distinctive hue, did not always exist in its current form. Its origin lies in a residence built in the 18th century by Sheikh Inayatullah, a zamindar (estate holder).
The property was sold by Inayatullah's son, Sheikh Matiullah, to the French traders, from whom it was acquired by Nawab Khwaja Alimullah, Abdul Ghani's father, in 1830.
The palace built by Abdul Ghani was reconstructed on a grander scale after it suffered massive damage in a tornado in 1888.
Mindful of its historical significance, the Bangladesh government turned the stately building into a museum in 1992. Its impressive collection is certain to pique your interest in South Asian and Bengali history.
The thousands of items displayed here reveal how the Nawabs of Bengal lived, governed, and interacted with their people and the wider region.
This building was a witness to great historical events and hosted many meetings that have left their indelible mark on South Asia.
Ahsanullah's son, Khwaja Salimullah, Bengal's foremost Muslim leader during the British period, founded the All-India Muslim League in Dhaka in 1906.
The collection of pictures and portraits, including those of the leading figures in the anti-colonial struggle, is fascinating.
One elephant skull is sure to catch your attention. This belongs to the tusker named "Feroz Jung," a favourite of Nawab Abdul Ghani.
Lalbagh Fort
There is more history at the 17th-century Lalbagh Fort, a Mughal palace.
One of the must-visit heritage sites, its construction was initiated by Prince Azam, the third son of Emperor Aurangzeb, in 1678. However, work was abandoned by Mughal subedar (provincial governor) Nawab Shaista Khan in 1684, following the death of his daughter, Pari Bibi.
What was accomplished and what remains today is charming despite the visible incompleteness of a grand project.
Pari Bibi's mausoleum is in the middle of the complex, a two-storey audience hall (Diwan) and hammam (bathhouse) are on the left side as you enter, and on the right stands a three-domed mosque.
This fort may not rank high on the scale of grandeur associated with the hulking Mughal monuments elsewhere in South Asia. Still, it presents a lovely sight, representing the architectural elegance and engineering of that era.
It is made more pleasant by Bangladesh's horticulture expertise in maintaining the complex.
You may continue to explore Bengal's history at Dhaka University, where one of the buildings is named after Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India between 1899 and 1905, who inaugurated the Curzon Hall in 1904. Curzon is known for Bengal's 1905 partition, a controversial move that was reversed years later in the face of Indian nationalistic furore.
The Mausoleum of the Three Leaders is nearby. It houses the graves of three significant figures in South Asian history: A.K. Fazlul Huq (1873-1962), Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy (1892-1963), and Khwaja Nazimuddin (1894-1964).
Modern parliament building
The national Parliament building is another site worth visiting. Designed by architect Louis Kahn, its construction began in 1961, when Bangladesh was still East Pakistan, and was completed in 1982. The parliament house has a truly iconic presence in the capital city.
Dhaka today is a vast, bustling metropolis, preserving its heritage and building a future driven by global commerce and geopolitical currents.
Bangladesh's physical proximity to Southeast Asia creates a natural desire to develop greater trade, travel, culture and business linkages with ASEAN.
Bangladesh has a robust food sector, with its cuisine influenced by its cultural heritage and regional agricultural richness. Rice, beef, seafood, vegetables and dairy products are widely used.
Sadarghat river terminal
You can watch the launches, boats, and barges of various shapes and sizes arrive at and depart from the busy port of Sadarghat on the Buriganga River. These vessels serve countless locations in Bangladesh and make you wonder how vital water transport is in the "Land of Rivers".
The Buriganga is in a state of decay today, but Dhaka cannot be imagined without this vital waterway. The river was believed to be among the reasons why the Mughals made Dhaka their regional capital.
Wander the docks for an up-close view of the vessels. For exhilarating panoramic views of the river, have a meal in Buriganga Riverview Restaurant. This rooftop restaurant has the ambience of a boat sailing on water, with the front dining area making you float with the river scenery.
A 'city in ruins' at Sonargaon
About 35 kilometres from Dhaka, visiting Sonargaon is worth the effort. Here lies Panam Nagar, "a city in ruins" preserved in pastoral settings. The settlement of Panam Nagar features the remains of 52 beautifully built houses, blending European and Mughal architectural styles, on both sides of a 600-metre-long street.
The foundation of this settlement was laid by moneyed Hindu merchants 130 years ago. Its residents migrated to India following the political upheavals of the 20th century.
Sonargaon itself is rich in history. A plaque at Panam Nagar informs that the Hindu king named Danujmadhob established his capital in the area in the 13th century and that it was one of the administrative hubs of the Bengal Sultanate. After 1610, it came under Mughal control.
Inspired by the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal in Agra, built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is renowned the world over as the monument of love. Its scaled-down replicas have been built in some places.
In Bangladesh, filmmaker and businessman Ahsanullah Moni is such an admirer of the Mughal emperor that 17 years ago, he built a replica of the Taj, known as "Banglar Taj Mahal", near Sonargaon. The village is located approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Dhaka.
The imitation stands in a lovely landscaped site. A short walk from the faux Taj is the "Rajmoni Pyramid", inspired by Egypt's pyramids. Some may get upset at the imitations because these do not reflect the magnificence of the wonders of the world.
These attractions have been created in a theme park style within bucolic surroundings, with tropical flowers and fruit-bearing trees providing a real treat for the eyes.
-- BERNAMA
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