Sonakanda fort in Narayanganj

                                       


  Narayanganj(নারায়ানগঞ্জ) is arranged adjacent to the stream Shitalakkha and this waterway has an imperative part for transportation, uncommonly for convey the exchanging products. It was same even 300 years back. The waterway was the primary channel for any arriving gatherings whoever uses to come here. To ruin any undesirable sections through this waterway, a few observatory strongholds have been assembled around. The Sonakanda(সোনাকান্দা) Fort is one of those observatory fortresses.

It is questionable about the developer of the fort(though numerous individuals trust it was Mir Jumla(মীর জুমলা)). In any case it is sure that the fortification was fabricated amid the seventeenth century, at the Mughal(মোঘল) period. This fortification is contemporary to the Idrakpur Fort and the Hajiganj Fort. 

This is a rectangular molded fortification having a solitary doorway at the northern side. General passage resembles a rectangular shape however has an entrance inside this. There is a high round stage is accessible at the western side of the fortress that is utilized to keep the substantial cannons. This round stage is confronting towards the stream Sitalakkha(শীতলক্ষা নদী). There is a stair accessible slanted with the stage to ascend.

Separated from the principle roundabout stage, there are an alternate four little lower platform(bastions) is accessible at the four corners of the fortification. The dividers of the stronghold are thick and having delegated by one meter stature curve formed articles. Dividers are having part of gaps for watching and indicating the guns. There is no characteristic of any lasting structure or anything comparable inside the stronghold. Presently a days the empty ground inside the fortress is continuously utilized as a play area by local people.

Instructions to Go: 

Shonakanda(সোনাকান্দা) Fort is not difficult to get to from Dhaka as Narayanganj(নারায়ানগঞ্জ) town is contiguous the Dhaka city. Nearby individuals basically know this as Kella(কেল্লা). So on the off chance that you are discovering any challenges, simply approach them for Kella(কেল্লা) rather than Sonakanda Fort(সোনাকান্দা দুর্গ). The following is a basic heading that will be helpful for you to place the fortification.

1) Come to the Chashara(চাষাড়া) of Narayanganj(নারায়ানগঞ্জ) utilizing BRTC or any comparative transports from Gulistan(গুলিস্তান). Its around 40 taka for every individual.

2) Take a rickshaw and go to the Bondor Ghat(বন্দর ঘাট), otherwise called Narayanganj(নারায়ানগঞ্জ) Launch Terminal. Its around 15-20 taka Rickshaw fare

3) Cross the river using the boats, per person 1-2 taka.

4) Take a rickshaw and ask the driver to drop you near at the Kella(কেল্লা).

zamindar palace at Murapara

                                     


  Murapara Palace, otherwise called "Murapara Jomidar Bari" is placed at the Rupganj of Narayanganj. Its not a long way from the Dhaka. One can make a solitary day trek and visit the spot effortlessly. On the off chance that you are from dhaka, you need to utilize the Rupganj street from the Dhaka Chittagong thruway. When you are at the bulta(or Bhulta) bazar, simply request the Murapara school, and nearby individuals will reveal to you the way.

This castle was fabricated amid 1890 by Ramratan Banarjee. He was a trusted individual of a British Indigo Planter amid the British Colonial period. At the point when the indigo grower leaved the nation after the passing of his little girl, he skilled a lot of golds and cash to Ramratan. Utilizing those, he manufactured this mammoth castle. 

Amid the war 1971, numerous lavish parcel of the royal residence was pillaged by individuals. I came to realize that there were two statues of lions at the door of the castle limit, and both of them stolen that time. After the war, this castle was utilized as a shelter camp for the non-bengali individuals.

lakeAfter the war, nearby individuals made a school utilizing the building. This building was redesigned a few times, and now a days, it simply lost all its legacy. Yet at the same time you can visit the castle for your weekend or some other occasions.

There are two extensive lakes I found at the royal residence premise. One at the front side and another at the rear. You can take your sit at the seat produced using stone(once upon a period, now no stone, just block) to get some natural air.

Additionally there is an old sanctuary accessible inside the royal residence premise. Its just before the lake of the front. This castle is just close to the thruway, and after that you can without much of a stretch see the waterway Sitalakkha(some individuals said its stream Rupshi).

Goaldi;The single domed mosque

                                                  

  Sonargaon, 27 km east of Dhaka, was the capital of muslim Sultanates of Bengal from the thirteenth century until Mughal ruler Akbar conqured this locale. It was the focal point of force and trade of this locale amid that time. Goaldi Mosque was inherent 1519 A.d. in a town named Goaldi at Sonargaon by Mulla Hizabar Akbar Khan amid the rule of Sultan Hussain Shah. It is found simply a large portion of a mile northeast of the deserted city of affluent Hindu dealers – Panam Nagar.Goaldi Mosque is the main staying of the old capital Sonargaon from the Sultanate period.

Architecture of Goaldi Mosque:

 

This lovely single domed mosque is more exquisite and fancy in correlation to the prior Sultanate mosques at Bagerhat. Each one divider has three angled passageways, the focal curve somewhat higher than the others. The base of the vault rests on squinch curves at the four corners which help the arch on pendentives. There are some elaborate dark stone columns inside the supplication to God corridor for the backing of the top.

Relating to the three curved entryways on the east, there are three lavishly improved mihrabs on the west divider, of which the focal one is greater and perfectly decorated with bended botanical and arabesque help on dim dark stone. Anyway the flanking side mihrabs are ornamented with fragile terracotta flower and geometric examples. The focal stone mihrab is encircled inside a curved board with an extended sunflower theme in the core. Beneath that the spandrels of the multi-cusped curve of the mihrab are beautified inside a rectangular casing.

The engrailed angled break is carried on hindered octagonal columns faceted at stages. Four round grouped turrets at the external corners ascend to the curvilinear cornice. Little curves with teracotta plans are set beneath the cornice or more the passage curves. Round corner turrets that climb upto the cornice and have two moldings at the inside and triple moldings at the base, just above which are more terracotta curves. This rich little premughal mosque was in absolute vestiges when announced "ensured" by the Department of Archeology, yet accordingly the landmark was painstakingly restored in 1975 AD.

How to visit Goaldi Mosque:

To visit Goaldi Mosque, take the street west from the second door of the Folk Arts Museum, go a large portion of a mile till Goaldi Bazar More and turn right. It is better in the event that you take a ricksaw. It will take you straightforwardly to the mosque

zamindar bari at Baliati

                                                 BALIATI ZOMIDAR BARI

The incredible Baliati Zomidar Bari(বালিয়াটি জমিদার বাড়ি) is found at the Saturia Upozila of Manikganj(সাটুরিয়া, মানিকগঞ্জ) area. Name of the town is Baliati. This archeological building is around 200 years of old. A stream named Gazikhali(গাজীখালী নদী) which is demised interval of the time, streamed at the northern side of the castle.

The entire reason is an enormous one(approximately 16000 square meter). There are potentially 200 rooms accessible inside the reason. Rear of the castle has a lake having four ghats(ঘাট). Opposite side of the lake has an arrangement of sterile restroom.

Gobinda Ram Shaha(গোবিন্দ রাম সাহা) was the pilgrim of the Zomidari(জমিদারী) at Baliati. He was a salt vendor. His ancestor was poor and began little business. Later he claimed that from his guardian. At that point he amplified that business further and made Zomidari(জমিদারী).

Unique name was Baliati(বালিয়াতি), yet in the wake of changing over into English, then name transgressed into Baliati(বালিয়াটি). This Jamidar family helped in training part extraordinarily. Dhaka Jogonnath(জগন্নাথ) University was made by them and the Jogonnath(জগন্নাথ) Hall of Dhaka University.
All the structures from the reason were not manufactured in the meantime. Those structures were constructed at diverse times by distinctive persons from the ruler's crew. A large portion of the structures are having a touch of Greek-Roman style, for instance the columns, top, and so forth. 

Instructions to go:

 There are a few approaches to take a swing at Baliati(বালিয়াটি).
1. To begin with you need to have a go at Saturia(সাটুরিয়া). GPS of Saturia(সাটুরিয়া) is (23°58'15.66"n, 90° 2'14.90"e).

** A transport from Gabtoli is accessible for Dhaka-Saturia course. You can take that one for 60 taka. It will oblige you around 2 hours to take a swing at Saturia(সাটুরিয়া).

** Or take a transport of Dhaka-Manikganj(ঢাকা-মানিকগঞ্জ) course from Gabtoli(গাবতলী), or Dhaka-Paturia(ঢাকা-পাটুরিয়া) administration of BRTC transport from Gulistan(গুলিস্তান). Transport passage is 70 taka. Following 1.5 hour get down from the transport at Kalampur(কালামপুর) Bus Stand. GPS of Kalampur(কালামপুর) is (23°55'4.52"n, 90° 9'16.16"e). From that point take a transport of Saturia(সাটুরিয়া). Transport charge is 20 taka and will oblige 20 minutes.

2. Utilizing a rickshaw for 20 taka from Saturia(সাটুরিয়া) bazaar, you can without much of a stretch go to the Baliati Palace. GPS of the Baliati Jomidar bari(বালিয়াটি জমিদার বাড়ি) is (23°59'40.79"n, 90° 2'32.72"e).

Where to Stay:

You can go there and return inside that day. So settlement is not required

Star Mosque at old Dhaka

                                                             STAR MOSQUE

Star Mosque is situated in Abul Khairat Road, Armenitola, in the old part of Dhaka City. The mosque is not dated by any inscription. It is known that one Mirza Golam Pir, whose ancestors had come to Dhaka and settled in Mohalla Ale Abu Sayeed (present-day Armanitola), erected it. Mirza Golam Pir died in 1860, and hence the date of construction of the mosque may conveniently be placed in the first half of the 19th century.

Originally it was an oblong (10.06m × 4.04m) three-domed mosque. There were three mihrabs on the Qibla wall in alignment with the three doorways of the mosque, of which the central one was larger than the side ones. The prayer chamber was roofed with three domes, the central one being taller and larger than the other two. The domes are carried in the interior on squinches. The original mosque building was not as decorated as it is now. The dilapidated plain and naked wall of the western side bears witness to the plainness of the past. The three southern doorways of the mosque are no doubt the old ones.

In 1926 a local businessman named Alijan Bepari added a verandah to the mosque on its eastern side, thereby almost doubling the width of the mosque without changing its original plan. Five arches were erected on four pillars on the eastern facade of the verandah. He also financed its resurfacing with delicate and richly coloured tiles of variegated patterns.

In 1987 the three-domed mosque was transformed into a five-domed mosque. At present, the length and breadth of the mosque is 21.34m and 7.98m respectively. Some changes took place in its plan; one mihrab was demolished and two new domes and three new mihrabs were added. Five arched doorways provide entrance to the mosque. The multifoiled arches spring up from octagonal pillars.

The mosque, both inside and outside, is decorated with mosaic. Small chips of Chinaware-plate, cup etc and pieces of glass have been used for mosaic. This type of mosaic is called ‘Chini Tikri‘ work. Vase with flowers is an important decorative motif on the spandrel of the arches and elsewhere on the facade. Flower-vases, flower branches, rosset, crescent, star, and Arabic calligraphic writing have been used in the decoration of the mosque. The outer wall between the doors are decorated with the motif of Fujisan (Mount Fuji) on glazed tiles and a crescent-and-star design decorates the upper part of the facade. Hundreds of blue stars have been created on the domes of white marble. All over the mosque the motif of stars dominate the decoration and so the mosque is called the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid).

Hoseni Dalan at old Dhaka

Hoseni Dalan is another edifice from Dhaka. This is located beside the Nazim Uddin(নাজিমুদ্দিন) Road of Old Dhaka. It is believed as a Shia Shrine, and was built during 17th century. There is a pond in front of the building, and I found all the doors were locked to reach near the pond.

It was built by Sayyid Murad(সৈয়দ মুরাদ) during the governorship of Shah Shuja(শাহ সুজা) to commemorate the martyrdom of Al-Hussain(আল-হোসাইন), the grandson of our holly prophet Muhammad. Shah Shuja was a Sunni Muslim, but he had a predilection for Shia and patronized several such institutions.



This building has gone through several renovation and none of it's antiquity left for the visitors. People only used to visit this place for it's historical value. During the British period it was repaired heavily at 1807 and 1810. Also during the massive earthquake of 1897 caused a severe damage over this edifice. Now a days it just looks like a modern day's building covering with rich tiles with heavy ornate.



During the first 10 days of Muharram(মহরম), Shia people used to gather at this place to mourn for Al-Hussain. Though its a festival of Shia people, but local Sunni people used to join with them and bemoan with them. This ends at the day of Ashura(আশুরা)

It's easy to locate this place. Just few minutes of walking distance from Doyel Chattar(দোয়েল চত্তর) of Dhaka University. Any rickshaw from that circle will lead you towards it. Exact Google map coordinate for the location is (23°43'20.52"N, 90°23'52.60"E

Panam City in Narayanganj

     

Panam City is known as "the lost city". It is situated at Sonargaon Upazila of Narayanganj District. Panam city was built by the upper-middle class Bengali businessmen, mainly Hindu cloth merchants, in the 19th century. It was built in the once capital of Bangladesh, Sonargaon. This city is now in ruins. In the last of 19th century, Panam city was built in Sonargaon. That time, business of cotton and other cloths were developed based on the Panam city. That time, Sonargaon got it heritage back a little. In the first part of the 20th century, some rich Hindu businessmen started to live permanently in the city. The still remaining ruins of the buildings were the residence of those businessmen. In those days, no city at the east Bengal was near as wealthy as Panam. All the buildings in the city were built facing a single road, which is 5 meters long and 600 miter wide. There still remain 52 buildings. The whole city is surrounded with artificial canals. These canals were dug to protect the city from any outside attack. There was only one bridge to enter the city in the west side. Back of every building is a pond. These ponds were used for household works. After the 1965 war of India-Pakistan, Hindu businessmen started to leave, and the city was deserted. World monument fund listed Panam city in the World 100 ruined city in 2006.

How to go:

Bus services are available to there from Gulistan, Dhaka. It will take around 1 hour to reach at the place. You have to get down from the bus at Mograpara Crossing. From the crossing, you have to take a rickshaw to reach at the ancient city, it will cost round about 20 Taka. It will be wise to start walking from the western part of the Panam city, and then move forward to eastern side until you reach to the end of the city. This is a very short path. So you can move slowly by watching the old building structures. If you have a camera you will be busy in taking photographs, that’s for sure. Also you can enter the narrow paths (path between two buildings) to watch the buildings from the back side. These buildings are controlled by the Bangladesh government and looks like they are doing it well. The area is very neat and clean. You'll find like as if you are in an unknown area. While walking through the Panam city, sometimes you'll find no one at anywhere, and it will give you a different feel. Take as much time as you can, no hurry, move slowly, and enjoy yourself.

Lok Shilpa Jadughar (Folk Art and Craft Museum) of Sonargaon was established by Bangladeshi painter Joynul Abedin on March 12, 1975. The house was built in 1901, originally called Bara Sardar Bari.

Sonakanda Fort is a Mughal river-fort located on the bank of the Shitalakshya River at Bandar, Narayanganj.

Khasnagar Dighi is a lake in Khasnagar village.

Sonargaon in Narayanganj

Sonargaon – The once capital of Bengal, is a place where you can see the country’s heritage. The main place to visit here is the Folk Arts and Crafts museum located inside the Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation premises, the nearby old city from colonial period – Panam, and the beautiful Goaldi Mosque from the sultanate period. 

Ticket: 

Ticket price for entering the foundation premises is 15 tk. for locals and 100 tk. for the foreigners. You do not need any separate ticket to enter the museum.

Parking:

Adjacent to the foundation is the newly renovated car parking area. The area is big enough to park lots of cars and buses. The charge for parking is as follows (no time limit):

• Cars, SUVs, Vans (NOAH/HIACE): 50 tk.
• Coaster: 75 tk.
• Bus: 120 tk.
• Baby Taxi: 20 tk.
• Motor Byke: 15 tk.
• Bicycle: 5 tk

 

Boat Riding:

There is arrangement of riding in boats on the lake inside the foundation premises. Ticket price for boat riding is 20 tk. per person for 30 minutes.

 

Fishing:

You can do fishing by hook on the lake. Price is 1,500 tk. for a whole day. You have to bring your own hook.

 

Picnic:

There is place inside the foundation premises to organize picnic. Contact the foundation for price details.

   

Shooting of film:

For shooting inside the foundation premises, the charge is 5,000 tk. for a whole day.

 

Visiting Hours of Sonargaon Museum:

• Friday – Tuesday: Foundation premises is open from 9 am – 5 pm, and the museum is open from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm. Museum galleries are closed at 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm at Friday only for the Jum’a prayer.
• Wednesday & Thursday: Closed.
• Government holidays: Closed.