BARA KATRA

Bara Katra
DHAKA

 Bara Katra - sketch by Charles D'oyly in 1823

The Bara Katra is one of the legendary monuments of Dhaka city placed on the bank of the river Buriganga and to the south of modern Chalkbazar.It is a palatial building dating to the reign of the Mughal dynasty in the Bengal region.

In 1645 Mir Abul Qasim, diwan of Shah Shuja, built the spacious Building named Bara Katra.The Bara Katra was the official residence of Mughal prince Shah Shuja, who was the second son of emperor Shah Jahan. The prince endowed it to his diwan and the builder of the serai, Abul Qasim. According to an inscription composed by Mughal poet Sa'ad ud-Din Muhammad Shirazi.

 1870 photograph of Bara Katra, taken by an unknown photographer.

Originally, the Katra enclosed a quadrangular courtyard with 22 rooms on all of its four sides. Two gateways were erected, one each on the north and south. The ruins consist of an edifice having a river frontage. The southern wing of the structure was planned on a grand scale and was marked with an elaborate three-storeyed gate containing an octagonal central chamber. The remaining portion was two-storeyed and encased by projected octagonal towers. The gateway structure is rectangular in plan. It is lofty in height and its fronton is projected towards the river.

A tall alcove rising to the second storey reduces the mass of this projection. The wall surface is relieved with panels that are square as well as rectangular and that contain a variety of decorations of four-centred, cusped, horseshoe and flat arches. Above the apex of the alcove open the windows of the third storey.

Octogonal Tower : Bara Katra

Under the alcove is the main arched entrance which leads to the guardroom. Furthermore, as one passes through two successive archways, one comes across an octagonal domed hall, the ceiling of which is plastered and bears various net-patterns and foliaged designs. The double storeyed structure resolves on both sides of the central entrance into a row of five vaulted rooms in the ground floor and living rooms with a continuous corridor on the upper one.

Likewise, the upper floors of the entrance are furnished with rooms. The three storyed corner towers are hollow and can be approached from the subsidiary structures.

Following the traditional pattern of the caravan-sarai of Central Asia, the Bara Katra was highly fortified and was embellished with all the features of the imperial Mughal style.

The Bara Katra contains two inscriptions in Persian: one records that it was built in 1053 AH (1643-44 AD) and the other contains the date 1055 AH (1645-46 AD) and confirms that shah shuja gave the building to Mir Abul Qasim to be used as a Katra on the condition that the officials in charge of the endowments (waqf) should not take any rent from any deserving person alighting therein.

More than half of the Bara Katra building was destroyed over time owing to neglect. The building remains in a dilapidated condition. The Bangladeshi government has been unable to take charge of the monument owing to litigation and resistance from its present owners. The owners have made several alterations to the original character of the building and have also started construction of a new multi-storeyed building in the area. Urban encroachment and shanty constructions envelop the palace today.

GANDHI ASRAM

Gandhi Asram

NOAKHALI

 

 

Situated about 23 km. north-west of Choumuhani town and 2 km. east of Chatkhil at Jayag in Noakhali district. This asram was established in the memory of historic visit of the Mahatma Gandhi to Noakhali and devoted to his ideology. In 1946-47 Mahatma the protagonist of Ahimsa ideology visited this region with a view to preach peace. Historical Charka and other valuables used by Mahatma are preserved in this asram and those evoke deep respect to the unique memories of the great soul

BAHADUR SHAH PARK

Bahadur Shah Park

DHAKA

Bahadur shah park which was known Victoria park initially. This is located at Lakkhi bazar(laxmi or lokkhi bazar) or old Dhaka. It has roads all around of it. This is a small park and it may appear to you as a road circle to you.

Top of the monument : inside

This was mainly built to commemorate the several martyrs of the first Liberation War that took place in between the year 1857 and 1859, against the British rule. This memorial was the very place where the revolting sepoys along with all their civil compatriots were hanged publicly.

This park was renowned as Victoria Park till 1947. But after that its renamed as Bahadur Shah Park after the name of "Bahadur Shah II", the last Mughal Emperor. But still now, local people used to call this park as Victoria park. 

The tourists coming to Dhaka must visit this memorial park. There are many other historical spots in this part of the world, which are worth paying a visit. The location of the park can be reached very conveniently from ant nook and corner of the city.

ARMENIAN CHURCH AT DHAKA

Armenian Church

DHAKA

The churches in Dhaka are truly a great attraction of the city which has been drawing loads of tourists from all corners of the world. The visitors always enjoy a great time in visiting the churches of the city. The best of the lot in the city is the Armenian Church which was built in 1781 A.D. this is one of the churches of the city which still remains functional. The Armenian Church is comparatively smaller than the other present across the globe, but the beauty and the grandeur of the church is unmatched. The church is located in one of the narrow back streets of old Dhaka. 

Before the church was built, the site was an Armenian graveyard. Agaminus Catachik an Armenian gave away the place to build the church. There is a hearsay that, "Michel Cerkess, Okotavata Setoor Sevorg, Aga Amnius and Merkers Poges helped to build the church. Johan Kerupieath Cerkess, also Armenian, built a clock house beside the church. There is a rumour about the clock stating that, "The sound of the clock can be heard from four miles away. People match their watch's time with the church clock by hearing the bell's sound. In 1880 the clock stopped and in the earthquake of 1897 the clockhouse was destroyed.

In Dhaka, in the old Armenian graveyard there is a grave of the Armenian Catachik Avatik Thomas. The grave has a statue on, His wife bought it from Kolkata for the specific purpose of placing the statue on his grave. She mentioned her husband as the "Best Of Husbands" in the epitaph.

Archbishop of the Armenians 

This church has architectural consequences. Its plan is rectangular. It has arched gate and arched door. There are 4 doors and 27 windows in the church. The church is 750 feet long and the entry passage is 14 feet wide. The main square tower is into the 15 feet of the plan. The hall's floor is divided into 3 parts: firstly, a pulpit enclosed by railings, a middle section with two folding doors, and finally an area separated by a wooden fence where women and children were seated. There is a spiral staircase into the church.
Mother Teresa stayed in this church during her Dhaka visit.There are no longer any Armenians in Bangladesh. Most of the time the church remain closed.

 

Armenian Inscription

The church draws a small yet enthusiastic crowd. The churches are a place to enjoy the tranquility of heaven amidst the hustles and bustles of the city. The church is the place which supports a small Christian community from the different countries. The original founders of the church, the Armenians were the one's dealing with Bengal's jute and leather trade. Presently they have almost vanished.Now There are no longer any Armenians in Bangladesh.