History of Dhaka

1. History of Dhaka
History:
There was a sleepy little town named Dacca (that was how it used to be spelled) once upon a time.
Under Mughal rule in the 17th century, the city was known as Jahangirnagar. It was a provincial capital
and a centre of the worldwide muslin trade. The modern city, however, was developed chiefly under
British rule in the 19th century, and became the second-largest city in Bengal after Calcutta (presently
Kolkata). After the Partition of Bengal in 1905, Dhaka became the capital of the new province of Eastern
Bengal and Assam but lost its status as a provincial capital again after the partition was annulled in 1911.
After the partition of India in 1947, Dhaka became the administrative capital of East Pakistan, and later,
in 1971, the capital of an independent Bangladesh.
The name origin:
In history, it is often believed that Raja Ballal Sen of the Sen Dynasty of Bengal founded the
DhakeshwariTemple in the 12th century to mark the place of his birth and to pay tribute to the patron
goddess of this region.
The name Dhaka is believed to have originated from Dhakeshwariin the same way as Athens got its
name from Athena,the patron goddess of the Greek city.
Rulling dynasty:
After the Sen Dynasty came to an end with Ballal Sen’s son Laxman Sen being defeated by Ikhtiar Uddin
Mohammed bin Bakhtiar Khilzi, Dhaka was successively ruled by the Turkish and Afghan rulers under
the Delhi Sultanate before the Mughals arrived in 1608.Dhaka became the first capital of Bengal in 1610.
Dhaka became the economic hub of the Mughal Empire, with half of its whole GDP from Bengal hailing
from the city alone.
Renaming Jahangir Nagar:
Mughal subahdar Islam Khan was the first administrator of the city. Khan named the town “Jahangir
Nagar” (জাহাঙ্গীরনগর) City of Jahangir) in honour of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, although this name
was dropped soon after Jahangir’s death. The main expansion of the city took place under Mughal general
Shaista Khan. The city then measured 19 by 13 kilometres (12 by 8 mi), with a population of nearly one
million people.British East India Company in 1765 gained right to collect revenue (Diwani right) and
later took over governing in 1793 when Nawabs of Bengal were forced to abdicate all their authority over
Bengal, Bihar & Orissa & the city passed on to total British control.

2. Mughal Architecture:
The landmarks such us the Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manjil,Boro Katra,Choto Katra,and Manyothers were
built during this time and represent the Mughal architecture.
In the mid 17th century by Prince Mohammed Azam Shah, son of the Emperor Aurangzeb.

3. Dhaka College in 1904
Purposes for coming into Dhaka:
Not only for central administration purposes but also for business, culture, language and literature, Dhaka
was the centre point for many decades. Traders and businessmen not only came from all parts of India,
but traders flowed in from Arabia, Iran, Armenia, China, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Portugal, France and
Greece.

4. Revolutions:
The 'Sipahi Revolution' of 1857 saw Dacca playing a prominent role. The Anti- English revolution also
was strongly observed in Dhaka.
Then after the creation of Pakistan movement of ,1952,1966,1969,1970 then 1971 when East Pakistan
(Now Bangladesh) became independent.
Literature:
A thousand years old charjyapad is the history of ancient Bengali songs, poetry and prose. Today we are
celebrating Tagore, Nazrul, Sarat Chandra, Jashimuddin and Lalon Shah in many ways.
The mystic poet Fakir Lalon Shah of Kustia died at the age of 116 years,but he has left behind a legacy
of unforgettable music, philosophy and mysticism.Lalon so truly said,
"arshinogor is besides my home the neighbour lives there/I have not even seen him for a day who lives in
my house"
Festivals:
Today's 'Dhaka' with her highrise apartments and offices, festivals and celebrations of 21st February,
Pohela Falgun, Pohela Boishakh, 26th March,Valentines Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day,Victory Day,
Bengali and English New years,Eid, Puja, Christmas and Buddha Purnima etc. are all part of the glitz and
glamour of a new city whose roots and foundation go back 400 years of mental, physical, intellectual and
conscious, unconscious human and mechanical efforts.
Dhaka University:
Many new buildings and monuments wereConstructed noteworthy,including the Old High Court building
used as the Lieutenant Governors‘ Residence,the Secretariat,Old Dhaka Medical College and Curzon
Hall. In 1911 dhaka again lost its status as capital. In the year 1921, Dacca University was established.
Dhaka University students doing class in 1940s.

5. Dhaka was very famous for Muslin in the world wide.In Gulistan, young writers, poets, and journalists
converged at tea houses in the evening, to debate and philosophize on the myriad aspects of life and
living. Those were in the 1960s.
Dress:
The influence of religion, politics, business and culture evolved and changed down through the 400 years.
These can be depicted and categorised from 2010 - 1910, 1910 - 1810, 1810 - 1710 and 1710 - 1610.
Down through the seasonal changes : winter, summer, spring and monsoon etc. the habitation, methods,
procedures and style of living changed and rechanged down through the ages.Lungi, Achkan, Sherwani,
Panjabi,borkhana, Churidar Pyjama, Fatua, Ghagra, Orna, Pagri, Dhuti, Saree,Lehanga a Shirt, Pant Tee-
shirt, Vest, Paticout, Blouse etc. have all been designed and re-designed. The Mugughals, British and
French influence in clothing and culture is noteworthy. The Saree and the Dhoti in Bengali Muslim and
Hindu culture have survived the times and ages and are still predominant in the 21st century. To live
within one's own culture and roots with a proper balance of modernisation and multiculturalism is seen
both in the East and the West. Globalization has brought about multifarious changes too.
Educational Institutions:
In 1815 the Baptists first appeared at schools in Dhaka. Before that only Madrashas/Islamic religious
schools and religious education were prominent. In 1830 the residents of Dhaka collectively donated and
formed schools. The Dhaka Medical School (College later), Jagannath School (Now University), Eden
School then College etc. were all founded by individual efforts. The population increased and mass
people were always relocating to this capital city. Presently in Dhaka there are 4-5 kinds of education
mediums- English medium, Bengali medium, Madrashas,Girls Madrashas etc. There are presently 54-55
universities, a school room had 45 students but now 115 students. In 1972 there were 400 - 450 teachers,
which has now increased to 1500 1600. The students are around 25 -30 thousand. This type of education
will become a dilemma for future generations.

6. Sports:
If we talk about sports in Dhaka then mentionable are the cockfights, elephant fights, (limited to the king's
and affluent zamindars), hunters, professional bulbuli birds fights until the beginning of the 20th century,
Bou kotha kow birds singing, mountain mynah fights, ox fights, popular to people of the lower levels.
Sheep fighting was limited within the Muslim community only. This was popular in the beginning of the
19th century. People in Dhaka in the olden times loved also to keep pigeons as pets. Making kites and kite
fighting was a sport popular within the old Dhakaites.
Conclusion:
Globalisation, technical development of Science and discoveries and the psychological spirit all together
have created this magical city. Bangladeshis are immigrating outside but the internal magnetic charm is
often bringing them back to their motherland. Dhaka was, is, and will always reserve a very special
position in each and every Bangladeshi's heart.