Beatiful Bangladesh : 02/22/13

Friday, February 22, 2013

Cox's Bazar (Bengali: কক্সবাজার)

Cox's Bazar (Bengali: কক্সবাজার) is a town, a fishing port and district headquarters in Bangladesh. It is known for its wide sandy beach which is the world's longest natural sandy sea beach. It is an unbroken 125 km sandy sea beach with a gentle slope. It is located 150 km south of Chittagong. Cox’s Bazar is also known by the name "Panowa", the literal translation of which means "yellow flower". Its other old name was "Palongkee". The modern Cox's Bazar derives its name from Captain Cox (died 1799), an officer serving in British India. In the 18th century, an officer of British East India Company, Captain Hiram Cox was appointed as the Superintendent of Palongkee outpost after Warren Hastings became the Governor of Bengal. Captain Cox was specially mobilised to deal with a century long conflict between Arakan refugees and local Rakhains. The Captain was a compassionate soul and the plight of the people touched his heart. He embarked upon the mammoth task of rehabilitating refugees in the area, and made significant progress. A premature death took Captain Cox in 1799 before he could finish his work. But the work he had done earned him a place in the hearts of the locals and to commemorate his role in rehabilitation work a market was established and named after him as Cox's Bazaar ("Cox's Market"). Although Cox's Bazar is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bangladesh, it has yet to become a major international tourist destination, due to lack of publicity.

Postogola/Millbarrack is seen in the back
It can hardly be overemphasized that the conservation of our cultural past is very important to nourish our sense of identity, national pride and self-esteem. There is, therefore, an overwhelming need for creating a general consciousness among the people of the importance of conservation activities relating to our past heritage.

from the book of prof Muntasir Mamun

Partition of Bengal 1905 and its annulment in 1911..

Map of Province of East BengalAssam 1907

More Imege is old Bangladesh

Bengal, Bihar and Orissa had formed a single province of British India since 1765. After the British put down the Sepoy Rebellion of 1875, the government dissolved the East India Company and took direct control of the province. At this time, British control extended from Eastern Bengal across the entire Ganges plain, to the Indus valley, in distant north-western India with Calcutta as capital. The British officials also moved into the Chittagong Hills. Their the British officials governed the local hill peoples, who had remained independent in their remote corner of East Bengal.
The Lt. Governor of Bengal had to administer an area of 189,000 sq miles and by 1903 the population of the province rose to 78.50 million. Eastern part of Bengal, because of isolation and poor communications, had been neglected in favour of west Bengal and Bihar. In East Bengal, the countryside was cut off by rivers and creeks, and no attention had been paid till the last decade of the 19th century. The condition of peasants was miserable. Piracy in waterways existed for at least a century. Eastern Bengal was almost isolated from the western part, the region was thought to be neglected and under-governed. On the other hand Calcutta (Kolkata) and its nearby districts of west Bengal attracted all energy and attention of the administration.

Lalbagh Fort S-W Bastion (area now known as Qillar Mor) built by prince Azam, 3rd son of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1678. The fort was named Qilla Aurangbad: Sir Charles D'oyle's (Collector of Dhaka since early 18th century) etching of 1816. Fort details click: "Lalbagh Fort Salvaged....

Lalbagh Fort south east gate - Photo 1870

1 la Baishakh Bangla (New year)

Cultural function

The first day of the Bengali calendar year "Pahela Baishakh" is celebrated as the New Year in Bangladesh. The history of the Bengali New Year is not very old.
In Bengal, Emperor Akbar started the Bengali calendar year on 10 March 1585, but it became effective from 16 March 1586, the day of his ascension to the throne. The basis of the Bengali year is the Hegira [ Hijri ] lunar year (Muslim era counted from the year of prophet Muhammad's (SM) going to Medina in 622 AD). The Bengali year was accepted at the grass root level irrespective of religious differences. The Bengali New Year is in summer, not a pleasant time in Bangladesh. It was fixed due to practical necessities. A strong reason for the creation of Bengali year is agriculture and the beginning of the Bengali year is a time of collection of taxes from the farmers.

Saint Martins Island is in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh and lies about 10km south-west of the southern tip of the mainland.

Understand Saint Martins is a tropical cliché and the only coral island in the country, with beaches fringed with coconut palms and laid-back locals. It's a clean and peaceful place with nothing more strenuous to do than soak up the rays — even mosquitoes are a rarity. There's a naval base near the center of the island, and the USA looked into setting up one of their own a few years back. The island was devastated by a cyclone in 1991 but has fully recovered, and was untouched by the 2004 tsunami.

The Sixty Pillar Mosque (the Shat Gambuj), a mosque located in Bagerhat in south Bangladesh, on the eastern bank of a sweet water tank or pond is one of the oldest mosques in the country, and is described as "historic mosque representing the Golden Era of Muslim Bengal". It is laid is over an area of 160 feet (49 m)x108 feet (33 m) size. The mosque is unique in the sense thahttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=931499313351750286#editor/src=sidebart it has 60 pillars that support 77 exquisitely curved "low squat domes" that have worn away with the passage of time; it has seven central domes that are four-sided and built in Bengali style. It was used for prayers, as an assembly hall and madrasa (an Islamic school). Seventy seven domes are over the roof and four smaller ones at the four corners are towers (the towers were used to call the faithfuls to attend prayers). The large prayer hall has 11 arched doorways on the east and 7 each on the north and south which provide ventilation and light to the hall. There are also 7 longitudinal aisles and 11 deep bays in the midst of slim columns made of stone. These columns support the curving arches that are overlaid by the domes. The west wall in the interior has eleven mihrabs that are decorated with stonework and terracotta and the flooring is of brickwork. The walls and the mihrabs were affected by sulphates. Most of the damages have been rectified. It was established in 1440 by Khan Jahan Ali. The arches are 6 feet (1.8 m) thick with a slight taper over the hollow and round walls. The mosque also functioned as the court of Khan Jahan Ali. It now attracts a large number of tourists and visitors every year. The mosque is decorated mostly with terracotta and bricks

TEA GARDENS

Sylhet, a land of two leaves and a bud, is surrounded by miles after miles of tea gardens. A number of tea gardens around Sylhet town, among them Lakkatura, Malnichara, Khadimnagor tea estates are the oldest and densely cultivated tea plantation. You can enjoy driving or walking through sandy road in the tea garden

Humayun Ahmed Nuhas polli, image polly, picture, video

Favorite Fiction Writer : Humayun Ahmed, who is buried in nuhas polli. you leaf herb planting, pulses Help fans. Hundreds of cars this garden has become the home of the carpet grass plowed field.
I buried apart from the rest of the rope dragging notice can not be maintained. The fans are the victim’s rights and nuhas hamlet worke

Lalon (Bengali: লালন) also Lalon Sain, Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir or Mahatma Lalon Fakir; (c. 1774–1890), was a Bengali Baul saint, mystic, songwriter, social reformer and secular thinker. In Bengali culture he has become an icon of religious tolerance and secularism whose songs inspired and influenced many poets and social and religious thinkers including Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Allen Ginsberg - though, as he "rejected all distinctions of caste and creed", he was both praised and criticized in his lifetime and after his death. His disciples mostly live in Bangladesh and West Bengal. He founded the institute known as Lalon Akhdah in Cheuriya, about 2 km. from Kushtia railway station. He is also regarded as the founder of the Baul music.

Northbrook Hall (Lalkuthi) front view as seen from north in 19th century

View from south (Buriganga river side)

Northbrooke Hall, an elegant building popularly known as ‘Lalkuthi’ for its deep red colour, is situated at Farashganj, Dhaka on the north bank of the Buriganga River. It was originally built in late 19th century as a Town Hall and named after Lord Northbrooke, Viceroy of India (1872-1876). His administration was marked by agrarian unrest in Bengal.

Northbrooke Hall combines elements of Mughal architecture blended with architectural styles of the European Renaissance. The building's semi-circular horseshoe arches containing entrances on the north, the four octagonal minars with pinnacles and the ornamental parapet demonstrate the Muslim features. The deep red colour of the grand monument with its graded roofs, pinnacles and parapets presents a magnificent view from the riverfront.

The town hall was later converted into a public library, to which a clubhouse was added and called Johnson Hall. The building, however, has lost its attraction now because of the new structures, such as assembly halls and community centres that have been built on the same premises and surround it from all sides. The premises of the hall now offer facilities for social and cultural gatherings. The library on the premises is a major reading centre for the people of old Dhaka.

Star Mosque,(Bengali: তারা মসজিদ)

Star Mosque (Bengali: তারা মসজিদ; also known as Tara Masjid), is a mosque located in Armanitola area, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The mosque has ornate designs and is decorated with motifs of blue stars. It was built in the first half of the 19th century by Mirza Golam Pir (Mirza Ahmed Jan).
A very beautiful mosque of the city is situated at Mahuttuly on Abul Khairat Rd; just west of Armanitola Govt. High School. Architecturally faultless (Mughal style) is a five-dome mosque with hundreds of big and small twinkling stars as surface decorations.The stars have been created by setting pieces of chinaware on white cement. Seen from the front and from far it looks as if shining above the surface of the earth. The inside of it is even more beautiful that the outside, lovely mosaic floor and excellent tiles with many floral patterns set on the walls, are all in complete harmony.

Sonadia is a crescent shaped island off the Cox's Bazar coast. The area of the island is about 9 sq km. Its western coast is sandy and is rich in different kinds of shells. At the northern part of the island, there are beds of windowpane oysters.

The history of human habitation of Sonadia Island is no more than 100-125 years. The island is divided into two neighborhoods or Para- East and West neighborhood. There live at around 2000 people in Sonadia Dwip. Most of the people live in Eastern side. Main occupations of the Islander are catching fish, collection of shrimp and other minnow etc.During winter, fishermen set up temporary camps on the island and dry sea fishes, which they catch from the sea. Every winter thousands of fishermen camp there and make large hauls.

Madhabkunda (Bengali: মাধবকুন্ড) is the largest waterfall in Bangladesh situated in Barlekha thana (subdistrict) in Moulvi Bazar District, Sylhet Division. The waterfall is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Bangladesh. Lots of tourists and picnic parties come to Madhabkunda every day for their enjoyment. Fall of million tons of water form 200 ft. height. Big bolder of stones and the black stones with green leafy trees and the sound of waterfall is giving a shape of care in Madhabkunda.
Geography and Distance It is Located at 24°38′21″N 92°13′16″E and about 200 ft (61 m) high. It is about five km away from Dakshinbagh railway station on the Kulaura-Shabajpur track (see Akhaura-Kulaura-Chhatak Line), and 350 km from Dhaka city.

Mahasthangarh is the oldest archaeological site in Bangladesh. It dates back to 700 BCE and was the ancient capital of the Pundra Kingdom.
Mahasthangarh (Bengali: মহাস্থানগড় Môhasthangôṛ) is the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana. A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BC. The fortified area was in use till the 18th century AD.

Jaflong is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Sylhet division. It's about 60 km far from Sylhet town and takes two hours drive to reach there. Jaflong is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rate beauty of rolling stones from hills. It is situated besides the river Mari in the lap of Hill Khashia.The Mari river is coming from the great Himalayas of India, which bringing million tons of stone boulders with its tide. You can watch the stone collection from the river in Jaflong as well as you can enjoy the boating in the river Mari. Jaflong is totally a hilly area of real natural beauty where hills are greenish with the forests.Lots of wild animal lives in this forest, so you need to be careful to enter in the forest alone. You can see the lifestyle of Tribe Khashia in Jaflong. If you intend to visit Jaflong it is advisable to start from Sylhet in the early morning so that you can comeback by evening covering the other tourists spots of nearby areas of Jaflong. The other tourist areas nearby Jaflong are Tamabil, Sripur and Jaintapur.

The world Nilgiri hill at Bandarban, where the top hotel of Gentle breeze was blowing down the hill side and thin clouds were hanging around on their way to casual fly. Dimmed through the clouds, silver moon light was rolling down the folds and slopes. Getting out of the cottage

Moheshkhali Island is another attraction for the tourists who go to Cox’s Bazaar. An island off the coast of Cox’s Bazar. It has an area of 268 square kilometers. Through the center of the island and along the eastern coastline rises, a range of low hills, 300 feet high; but the coast to the west and north is a low-lying treat, fringed by mangrove jungle. In the hills on the coast is built the shrine of Adinath, dedicated to Siva. By its side on the same hill is Buddhist Pagoda. You can go to this Island by local motorboat called trawler or by speedboat. By trawler, it takes an hour and a half and by speedboat, it takes only half an hour to reach this Island. You will find mangrove forests,

hilly areas, salt field etc. This island is famous for Buddhist Temple and Pagoda; you can enjoy a full day sight seeing if you intend to visit Sonadia and some other Islands nearby. In the morning you can start for Moheskhali, spend time to watch Moheskhali’s tourist places, take lunch there and on return you can visit Sonadia and other nearby Islands where you can sea the live fishing & fishermen lifestyle; By the afternoon you can come back to Cox’s Bazaar

Kuakata (Bengali: কুয়াকাটা)

Kuakata (Bengali: কুয়াকাটা) is a panaromic sea beach on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh .Located in the Patuakhali district, Kuakata has a wide sandy beach from where one can see both the sunrise and sunset. It is about 320 Kilometres south of Dhaka, the capital, and about 70 Kilometres from the district headquarters. The Kuakata beach is 30 km long and 6 km wide. On 13 September 2007 government had announced a red alert in Kuakata as caution for a possible Tsunami.

It is 1 km far from Moitri Vihar situated at Rangamati municipality. Rajbon Bihar is one of the lovely Buddhist temple of Bangladesh. It is Located at rangamati district. It is one of the well-known tourist place of Rangamati just few km. from the main bus terminal. You can hire a boat or a auto-rickswa to visit the Bihar. It is a Pindapata temple. About 50 to 70 monks reside here regularly. Visitor are requested to keep in mind thist it is a place of prayer, so do not do anything that hart any one by you.

You must have to enter that place with bare feet to respect their tradition. In rajbon Bihr, there are many monkey stay around the Place. You can give them some food/nuts. There is a 7 stored building and wit a name each floor represents a paradise. Entering into the main prayer area, There are some small buildings/prayer hall inside.A musk of Buddha Prepared from bronze and kept with a wall for the tourist inside the Bihar. No matter from where you are looking at that musk, you'll feel that its looking at you. There is an eldest monk, named "Ven Sadhanananda Mahathero (Bana Bante)", who is around 94 years of old, and lots of Buddhist used to visit with tribute to get Please from him, and the god. From all directions it is a beautiful tourist spot. So you are welcome in this site to visit

Patenga (Bengali: পতেঙ্গা)

Ruined 'Boro Kutra' ( large caravanserai) built in1664 - drawn by de fabeck-fredrick william alexander in 1863.

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Foy's Lake is a man-made lake in Chittagong, Bangladesh. It was created in 1924 by constructing a dam across the stream that came down from the hills in the northern part of Chittagong. The purpose of creating an artificial lake was to provide water to the residence of railway colony. It was named after Mr Foy who was a Railway engineer and believed to materialized the project. Pahartali was basically a railway town with workshop, yard and shed. A good number of railway employees lives there. Presently, a carriage workshop, diesel workshop, loco shed, laboratory, stores, electric workshop, school (established in 1924)are located. The area belongs to Railway. However, an amusement park, managed by the Concord group, is located here.

Nijhum Dwip means, Silent Island (Bengali: নিঝুম দ্বীপ) is a small island under Hatiya upazila. It is situated in Noakhali District in Bangladesh. Once it was called as Char Osman

History

It was not settled until 1970, until then only seaonally. At the time it was called Nijhum Dwip (the quiet island) was included in the Hatiya constituency after permanent settlement. Then because of riverbank erosion in nearby areas, especially Hatiya, Shahbajpur and Ramgati people migrated to the island as new settlers.

Population

The population in Nijhum Dwip in 2001 was 10,670. Their main occupations are cultivation, fishing and livestock farming. The island produces vegetables. But the island suffers from natural calamities, and life is hard and risky.

Current status

Nijhum Dwip presently has six big bazaars with mainly the grocery shops, small restaurants and drug stores. These bazaars are the only places in the islands to have electricity from generators. The forest department of the government of Bangladesh created mangrove forests in Nijhum Dwip and the main attraction in these forests is the herd of about 5000 spotted dear. The most important type of tree planted in the island is Keora, also known as Kerfa, which has fast growing roots holding the sandy land. The plant also supplies pillars for houses, materials for making boats and agricultural implements, and fuel for domestic use. In 2001, the government of Bangladesh declared Nijhum Dwip forests as National Park.

The Sundarbans

Home of the Royal Bengal Tigers In the south western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, "the beautiful forest." It is a virgin forest which until recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor. Here land and water meet in many novel fashions. Wild life presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking gladeswhere boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonders for which they all crave.The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 3600 sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. It's beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, rhesus monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, gopatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.

Rakhain, The a small tribe of arakan origin belonging to the Bhotbarmi community of the Mongoloids. Many consider that Rakhains and their neighbours, marmas are in fact, the same tribe. The skull of Rakhains is round, their nose is flat, they have black hair, they are usually short in height, and their complexion is light brown. A section of Rakhains started living in ramu and its adjacent areas in chittagong hill tracts in the fifteenth century. In the eighteenth century, many Rakhain people migrated from their homeland in Arakan because of political turmoil and they gradually settled in different areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts and patuakhali. There were 4,049 Rakhains in the Patuakhali region in 1872. The number increased to 16,394 in 1951, but reduced to 3,713 in 1979. The census of 1991 recorded the number of Rakhain population in Bangladesh at about 7,000. More than eighty per cent of them lived in Ramu, cox’s bazar, Bandarban, Manikchhari and Teknaf. Though Buddhists by religious faith, Rakhains, like other tribes and sub-tribes, believe in superstitions, magic and supernatural powers. They lead very simple lives. The birth anniversary of Gautam buddha is one of their major religious ceremonies. They observe the spring festival and the Baishakhi, maghi purnima and prabarana purnima. ‘Sundrey’ is their greatest community festival and is observed for three days on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti.Everybody takes part in this festival. Young boys and girls sing songs and perform dances in groups. The main profession of Rakhains is farming. They also weave and make salt and molasses. Both males and females take part in agricultural work. But women take the leading role in livestock rearing and poultry. Some Rakhains are involved in business and a few of them teach. Their diet includes rice, fish, pulses and vegetables. Pork and dried fish are favourite foods. They serve decorated pithas (cakes) and sweet rice porridge on ceremonial occasion. The common dress of Rakhain men is the lungi and fatua while the women wear embroidered lungis and blouses and also various types of ornaments on their bodies and flowers on their heads. Marriage is a religious and social obligation in Rakhain society. Generally marriages are arranged by guardians, but nowadays, love marriages are also recognised. dowry is not accepted among Rakhains. Though the father is the formal head of the family, both male and female members have equal rights. Sons and daughters inherit parental property in equal proportion. The language of Rakhains belongs to the Bhotbarmi group of languages. Rakhain children start their education at Buddhist Patshalas (primary school) or khyangs (monastery). They receive both religious and linguistic education there. The rate of literacy in the Rakhain community is very high and some of them are highly educated. Rakhains burn the bodies after death and bury the remains. The shraddha ceremony for the dead person is held after seven days from death.

Rangamati(Bengali: রাঙ্গামাটি)

This article may contain wording that merely promotes the subject without imparting verifiable information. Please remove or replace such wording, unless you can cite independent sources that support the characterization. Rangamati(Bengali: রাঙ্গামাটি) is the Administrative Headquarter of Rangamati Hill District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The town is located at 22°37'60N 92°12'0E and has an altitude of 14 metres (49 feet).

Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban (Parliament House)

The main building is at the center of the complex. The outer parts of the complex include the MP hostel. An intricately designed lake surrounds the main building.Architecture and design
Louis Kahn designed the entire Jatiyo Sangsad complex, which includes lawns, lake and residences for the Members of the Parliament (MPs).

Location and basic layout

The enclave, situated in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, is bounded by four major streets:
1. Lake Road to the North;
2. Rokeya Sarani to the East;
3. Manik Mia Avenue to the South; and
4. Mirpur Road to the West.

The main building (the Bhaban) is divided into three parts:
1. The Main Plaza: 823,000 square feet (76,000 m²)
2. South Plaza: 223,000 square feet (21,000 m²)
3. Presidential Plaza: 65,000 square feet (6,000 m²)

Sonargaon (Bengali: সোনারগাঁও; also transcribed as Sunārgāon) was the administrative center of medieval Muslim rulers in East Bengal. It became as the capital of Bengal during Isa Khan's ruling. The area falls under present-day Narayanganj District, Bangladesh. Today the name Sonargaon survives as Sonargaon Upazila in that district.

History

Pre-Muslim period
The name Sonargaon came as the Muslim version of the ancient name Suvarnagrama. Hindu ruler Danujamadhava Dasharathadeva shifted his capital to Suvarnagrama from Bikrampur sometime in the middle of the 13th century. In early 14th century, Hindu ruling in this area ended when Shamsuddin Firoz Shah (reigned 1301–1322) of Lakhnauti occupied and annexed it to his kingdom.

Muslim period
Muslim settlers first arrive in Sonargaon region in around 1281. Sharfuddin Abu Tawwamah, a medieval Sufi saint and Islamic philosopher came and settled here sometime between 1282 and 1287. He then established his Khanqah and founded a Madrasa.
Firoz Shah built a mint in Sonargaon from where a large number of coins were issued. When he died in 1322, his son, Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah, replaced him as the ruler. In 1324 Delhi Sultan, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, declared war against him and after the battle, Bahadur Shah was captured and Bengal, including Sonargaon, became a province of Delhi Sultanate. The same year, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq, son and successor of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, released him and appointed him as the governor of Sonargaon province.
After 4 years of governorship, in 1328, Bahadur Shah declared independence of Bengal. Delhi Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq sent his general, Bahram Khan, to depose him. In the battle, Bahadur Shah was defeated and killed. Bahram Khan recaptured Sonargaon for the Delhi Sultanate and he was also appointed the governor of Sonargaon.
When Bahram Khan died in 1338, his armor-bearer, Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah, declared himself the independent Sultan of Sonargaon. Fakhruddin sponsored several construction projects, including a trunk road and raised embankments, along with mosques and tombs. 14th century Moroccan traveller, Ibn Batuta, after visiting the capital in 1346, described Fakhruddin as "a distinguished sovereign who loved strangers, particularly the fakirs and sufis". After the death of Fakhruddin in 1349, Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah became the next independent ruler of Sonargaon.
Ilyas Shah, the independent ruler of Lakhnauti, attacked Sonargaon in 1352. After defeating Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah, he became the sole ruler of whole Bengal for the first time in history and thus he became the founder of a sultanate of the unified Bengal.
It is thought that when a squadron of the Chinese fleet of Zheng He, commanded by the eunuch Hong Bao, visited Bengal in 1432, they visited Sonargaon as well. The information about that expedition comes from the book of one of its participants, the translator Ma Huan.
Sonargaon is the eastern terminus of the Grand Trunk Road, which was built by the Pashtun emperor Sher Shah Suri, extended approximately 2500 kilometres from Bangladesh across northern India and Pakistan to Kabul in Afghanistan.

Isa Khan's ruling

When Taj Khan Karrani was the independent Afghan ruler of Bengal, Isa Khan obtained an estate in Sonargaon and Maheswardi Pargana in 1564 as a vassal of the Karrani rulers. Isa Khan gradually increased his strength and in 1571 he was designated as the ruler of whole Bhati region. In 1575 he helped Daud Khan Karrani to fight with Mughal flotilla in the vicinity of Sonargaon.
Daud Khan Karrani died in the battle of Rajmahal against Mughals in 1576. Akbar then assigned Isa Khan as one of the Bara-Bhuiyans by making him the zamindar of Sonargaon. Since then he resisted Mughal's ruling in his area. With the help of allies, he stood defiant against Mughals in the battle against Subahdar Khan Jahan in 1578, Subahdar Shahbaz Khan in 1584 and Durjan Singh in 1597. Isa Khan died in September 1599. Then his son, Musa Khan, took control of Bhati region. But after the defeat of Musa Khan in 10 July 1610 by Islam Khan, the army general of Mughals, Sonargaon became one of the sarkars of Bengal subah. The capital of Bengal is then shifted to Jahangirnagar (later named Dhaka).

Bangladesh period

On 15 February 1984, Narayanganj subdivision is upgraded to a district by the Government of Bangladesh. Hence Sonargaon became a subdistrict of Narayanganj District of Dhaka division.

Trade
By the 14th century Sonargaon became a commercial port. Trade activities were mentioned by travelers like Ibn Batuta, Ma Huan and Ralph Fitch. Maritime ships travelled between Sonargaon and southeast/west Asian countries. Muslin was produced in this region.

Remains

Panam City

Lok Shilpa Jadughar (Folk Arts Museum) in Sonargaon.

Panam City was established in the late 19th century as a trading center of cotton fabrics during British rule. Hindu cloth merchants built their residential houses following colonial style with inspiration derived from European sources. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Muslim-Hindu riot, Panam City has reduced into a vacant community. Today this area is protected under the department of archaeology of Bangladesh. Panam city area was linked with the main city area by three brick bridges - Panam Bridge, Dalalpur Bridge and PanamNagar Bridge - during Mughal period. The bridges are still in use.

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

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

Khasnagar Dighi, a lake in Khasnagar village.

Due to the many threats to preservation (including flooding and vandalism), Sonargaon is placed in 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites by World Monuments Fund

Ahsan Manzil (Bengali: আহসান মঞ্জিল)

Ahsan Manzil (Bengali: আহসান মঞ্জিল) was the official residential palace and seat of the Dhaka Nawab Family. This magnificent building is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River in Bangladesh. The construction of this palace was started in the year 1859 and was completed in 1869. It is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. To preserve the cultural and history of the area, the palace became the Bangladesh National Museum on 20 September 1992.Contents

Bandarban is one of the most beautiful travel place in south Asia.Bandarban (Bengali: বান্দরবান) is a district in South-Eastern Bangladesh, and a part of the Chittagong Division and Chittagong Hill Tracts. Bandarban (meaning the dam of monkeys), or in Marma or Arakanese language as "Rwa-daw Mro" is also known as Arvumi or the Bohmong Circle of the rest of the three hill districts Rangamati is the Chakma Circle and Khagrachari is the Mong Circle . Bandarban town is the home town of the Bohmong Chief (currently King, or Raja, Aung Shwe Prue Chowdhury who is the head of the Marma population. It also is the administrative headquarter of Bandarban district, which has turned into one of the most exotic tourist attractions in Bangladesh since the insurgency in Chittagong Hill Tracts has ceased more than a decade back.

Asia : South Asia : Bangladesh : Chittagong Division : Bandarban

Bandarban Hill District is the most remote and least populated district in Bangladesh. The lure of the tallest peaks of Bangladesh, treks through virgin forests and chance to meet more than 15 tribes of the region up close is growing both among Bangladeshis and tourists from other countries. Since the insurgency ceased in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (a cluster that includes all three hill districts of Bangladesh) it has opened up for tourists more than a decade back, though some of the western tourist guides may still describe the area as a major security risk

Chakmas, The the largest ethnic group of Bangladesh. They also call themselves Changmas. They are concentrated in the central and northern parts of the chittagong hill tracts where they live amidst several other ethnic groups. Exact population figures are lacking but the most reliable estimates put their number at 140,000 in 1956 and 230,000 in 1981. According to the 1991 population census, there were about 253,000 Chakmas. More than 90 percent of them are concentrated in rangamati and khagrachhari districts. About 100,000 Chakmas also live in India, particularly in the states of Arunachal, Mizoram and Tripura. Small groups have settled in other countries as well. The first written reference to Chakmas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts dates from about 1550 AD when the Portuguese map maker Lavanha indicated on the earliest surviving map of Bengal that Chakmas lived in a settlement on the karnafuli river. Two main theories have been put forward about the earlier history of Chakmas. Both assume that they migrated to their present homeland. The most convincing theory links Chakmas with central Myanmar and arakan, and with groups such as the Sak (Chak, Thek) who live in the Chittagong hills and Arakan. The other theory, for which historical

The Lalbagh Fort was developed by Shaista Khan. Lalbagh Fort (Bengali: লালবাগ দূর্গ) (also known as "Fort Aurangabad") is an incomplete Mughal palace fortress at the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Construction was commenced in 1678 by Prince Muhammad Azam during his 15-month long vice-royalty of Bengal, but before the work could complete, he was recalled by Aurangzeb. His successor, Shaista Khan, did not complete the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688. His daughter Iran Dukht nicknamed Pari Bibi (Fairy Lady) died here in 1684 and this led him to consider the fort to be ominous.

Muktagacha Rajbari is one of the oldest zaminder houses in Bangladesh. It is situated at Muktagacha thana in Mymensingh district. It is an extensive palatial complex sprawling over at least 20 hectors of land. The whole area is full of many ponds, temples, palaces and out buildings.
Of themonly a part is now being protected by the Deptt. of Archaeology. The protected area is an east facing enclosed precinct studded with gateway, garden, reservoirs, residential
complexes, temples and several other ancillary buildings. The architecture of all the buildings simulate Indo-European neo-classic ethic.
They were built by different members of the Muktagacha zamindar family in different time. Some are still being used for different purposes. The protected part is called ‘Char Ana' locally. It may hardly be dated in the early 20th century A.D.
Time has left its mark on the structure and all the precious dιcor inside and outside the palace are in a poor condition because of lack of proper care.

Mainamati(Bengali: ময়নামতি Môenamoti

Shalban Vihara Shalban Vihara War cemetery at Mainamati Mainamati (Bengali: ময়নামতি Môenamoti) is located almost 8 miles from the town of Comilla, Bangladesh. It is the home of one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in the region. There are a number of Buddhist sites in this region, dating approximately from 7th to 12th centuries CE. Comilla Cantonment is located nearby and houses a beautiful colonial era cemetery.
Mainamati is named for the Candra queen of the same name, mother of the Govindachandra.
Buddhist monuments See also: History of Bangladesh The centre piece of the Buddhist sites at Mainamati is the Shalban vihara, almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill range. It is clearly a Vihara, or an educational centre with residential facilities. It consists of 115 cells, built around a spacious courtyard with a cruciform temple in the centre, facing its only gateway complex to the north, resembling that of the Sompur Bihara.

Zia Uddyan or Chandrima Uddyan is one of the finest park and resting center for Dhaka City Dwellers. Zia Uddyan is located just opposite back to the Parliament House of Bangladesh, and the opposite western Corner of Bangladesh Military Museum and Bangabandhu Novo Theatre. One of the major and great leaders of Bangladesh, Late President Ziaur Rahman was buried there. You can see the Graveyard of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman while visiting this place. Many people also have known this place as “Chandrima Uddyan (crescent lake)”. The grave chamber of Ziaur Rahman is a nice place. It is well decorated. Another excellent seeing sight is the lake of Zia Uddyan or Chandrima Uddyan.

The Bangladesh National Museum (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ জাতীয় যাদুঘর), originally established on 20 March 1913, albeit under another name, and formally inaugurated on 7 August 1913, was accorded the status of the national museum of Bangladesh on 17 November 1983. It is located Shahbag, Dhaka. The museum is well organized and displays have been housed in several departments like department of ethnography and decorative art, department of history and classical art, department of natural history, and
department of contemporary and world civilization. The museum also has a conservation laboratory

Patenga (Bengali: পতেঙ্গা) is a sea beach located 14 kilometres south of the port city of Chittagong, Bangladesh. It is near the mouth of the Karnaphuli River.
Patenga is a popular tourist spot. The beach is very close to Bangladesh Naval Academy of Bangladesh Navy, and Shah Amanat International Airport. The beach width is narrow and swimming in the seas is not recommended. Part of the seashore is built-up with concrete walls. Also large blocks of stones have been laid out to prevent erosion. During 1990s a host of restaurants and kiosks have sprouted out around the beach area. Lighting of the beach area has enhanced the security aspect of visiting in the night. People rise up early in the morning to witness the beautiful sunrise.Many visitors to Bangladesh find Chittagong to be the perfect tourist destination. It is filled with dense green forests, endless rolling hills, a moderate climate and breathtaking beaches. Since the seventh century, Chittagong has been mentioned in many documents as a seaport of mystical beauty and magnificent charm. The bustling harbor stands in stark contrast to the tranquility and peaceful surroundings of the city. And attractions, such as Patenga Beach, ensure a constant influx of travelers and visitors.
Patenga Beach lies approximately twenty kilometers outside the city of Chittagong, and is located near to fascinating landmarks including the Shah Amanat International Airport and the BNS Isha Khan Naval Base. It is located at the Karnaphuli River mouth and stretches to the Bay of Bengal. Vendors from the city flock to Patenga Beach to sell their selection of ice creams, cold drinks and food to the hundreds of tourists who come to Patenga Beach.
The beach itself is quite sandy, with a few rocky patches here and there. Most visitors come to Patenga Beach as it is known for having some of the most stunning sunsets and sunrises in Bangladesh. The more adventurous travelers will also be able to enjoy a river cruise on the Karnaphuli River, or a boat trip onto the ocean waves. Nature enthusiasts will find Patenga Beach to be a haven for most of the wading bird species of Bangladesh and if lucky, bird watchers will also be able to see spoon-billed sandpipers running around.
If the crowds at Patenga Beach become too much, visitors should move on to Parky Beach, which is just a quieter extension of Patenga. Here, the beach is lined with massive shady palm trees and fishing boats. Fishermen sit around peacefully, going about their daily chores while sea gulls patiently circle overhead waiting for the odd scrap of fish to be thrown their way. It is the perfect location for a quiet picnic or day of relaxation.
Visitors will find Patenga Beach to be diverse, fascinating and, above all, beautiful. It is a tourist destination that lures visitors with the attractions of good weather, natural splendor and the quiet lapping of the ocean waves at their feet. Every moment at Patenga Beach is a photographic opportunity and an unforgettable memory in the making.