Visit to Dhaka District

Dhaka District (Dhaka division)The upazilas are dhamrai, dohar, keraniganj, nawabganj and savar.With an area of 1463.60 sq km, is bounded by gazipur and tangail districts on the north, munshiganj and rajbari districts on the south, narayanganj district on the east, manikganj district on the west. Annual average temperature maximum 34.5°C, minimum 11.5°C; total rainfall 1931mm. Main rivers are Padma, Kaliganga, Dhaleshwari, Ichamati, Shitalakshya, Buriganga; small rivers are Bangshi, Turag, Balu, Elamjani, Alam, Bherujkha, Ramkrishnadi, Elisamari, Tulsikhali. Noted Beels Belai, Saldaher, Labandaher, Churain, Damsharan and Kiranjir Beel.Dhaka (Town) stands on the bank of the river Buriganga. It consists of seven principal thanas (dhanmondi, kotwali, motijheel, ramna, mohammadpur, sutrapur and tejgaon) and 14 auxiliary thanas (gulshan, lalbagh, mirpur, pallabi, sabujbagh, cantonment, demra, hazaribagh, shyampur, badda, kafrul, kamrangir char, khilgaon and uttara), 130 wards and 725 mahallas. It has an area of 304 sq km. The town has a population of 5378000; male 56.62%, female 43.38%; population density per sq km 17691. Literacy rate among the town people is 62.3%. Dhaka municipality was established in 1864 and was turned into a Town Committee in 1960. The name of the Town Committee was changed to Dhaka Municipality in 1972. It was turned into a Municipal Corporation in 1983. Finally it was elevated to City Corporation in 1991. Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. The town has 88 cinema halls, 351 clubs, 55 playground, 136 government and private hospitals and clinics, 4 parks, 4 national stadiums, 17 public and private universities, 4 government medical colleges, 11 private medical colleges. Other important establishments include Bangladesh Supreme Court, High Court, Judge Court, diplomatic missions of many countries, Bangladesh Secretariat, National Museum, National Zoo, and head offices of various sector corporations government departments, business houses and NGOs..Administration Dhaka district was established in 1772. The district consists of 5 upazilas, 21 thanas, 3 municipalities, 77 union parishads, 1020 mouzas, 1863 villages. The upazilas are dhamrai, dohar, keraniganj, nawabganj and savar.Archaeological heritage and relics lalbagh fort and the tomb of Bibi Pari (1668), bara katra (1641), chhota katra and the tomb of Bibi Champa (1663), Ancient Fort and the palace of the Nawab (Jail Hospital, 1638), ahsan manzil (1872), husaini dalan (1642), Binod Bibi Mosque (1456 AD), Seven Domed Mosque (1676), Chawk Mosque (1676), Bibi Meher Mosque (1814), Armanitola Mosque (1716), Khawja Shahbaj Mosque (1679), Shayesta Khan Mosque (1664-78), Khawja Ambar Mosque (1677-78), Moriam Saleh Mosque (1706), Sitara Begum Mosque (1815), Farruk Shayer Mosque (1703-1704), Tara Mosque, Azimpur Mosque (1746), Kartalab Khan Mosque (1700-1704), Holy Rosary Church (1678), Setara Begum Mosque (1819), Bagmara Math (Nawabganj), Home stead of Raja Harish Chandra (eighteenth century, Savar), Shree Shree Sani Ashram and Math (1199 AD), Dhakeshwari Mandir (eventeenth century), Jaykali Mondir, Bahadur Shah Park, Nimtali Deuri (Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 1765).Historical events Once upon a time Dhaka was ruled by the Hindu Kings. The Pala and the Sena dynasties ruled Dhaka for many years. It was not until early fourteenth century when the Muslim rulers began to come to Bengal. Dhaka was made the capital of Bengal in 1608 and Islam Khan renamed Dhaka as Jahangirnagar after the name of Emperor Jahangir. In the eighteenth century Dhaka lost political importance when Murshid Quli Khan transferred the capital of Bengal from Dhaka to Murshidabad. But Dhaka never lost its commercial importance.Dhaka is very closely related with the politics of the post 1947 political history. Mentions may be made of language movement of 1952, six-point programme of 1966, mass upsurge in 1969, historic speech of bangabandhu sheikh mujibur rahman on 7 March 1971, signing the document of surrender of Pak army on 16 December 1971, etc. During the War of Liberation the Pak army conducted massive killings and plundering in Dhaka.Once indigo was being cultivated centring round Joypara of Dohar upazila. During 1920s the people of Dhaka were seriously influenced by the Non Co-operation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Avay Ashram was established at Dohar in 1922-23 following the ideals of Gandhi. The All India Convention of Gandhi Seba Sangha was held at village Malikandha of Dohar upazila in 1940. On this occasion Gandhi came here and stayed for two days.Marks of the War of Liberation Mass grave: near Kalampur Bazar (Dhamrai), South Kamlapur (Dhaka), national martyrs' memorial (Savar), mass killing site at Rayerbazar, Memorial Monument for intellectuals at Mirpur, Central Shaheed Minar, Amar Ekushey and Sangsaptak Sculptures (Jahangirnagar University), Aparajeyo Bangla and Soparjita Swadhinata (Dhaka University), Shahid Jahangir Gate, etc.Population 7996000 (2000); male 55.15%, female 44.85%; Muslim 92.72%; Hindu 6.50% and others 0.78%.Religious institutions Mosque 3088, temple 808, tomb Buddhiat Keyand and Pagoda 4, church33, tomb 37. Dhaka is called the City of Mosque. Noted Mosques of Dhaka are Baitul Mukarram Mosque, Sat Gambuj (seven domed) Mosque, Chalk Mosque, Lalbagh Mosque, Narinda Binod Bibi Mosque, Bibi Meher Mosque, Armanitola Mosque, Khawja Shahbaj Mosque, Islam Khan Ki Mosque, Mariam Saleh Mosque, Sitara Begum Mosque, Azimpur Mosque, Kartalab Khan Mosque, Farrukh Shayer Mosque, Tara Mosque, Amir Uddin Mosque, Dhaka University Central Mosque, etc. Noted temples are Joykali Mandir, Dhakeshwari Mandir, Lakkhinarayan Mandir, Kalibari Mandir, Shiva Mandir, Kadam Tali Kali Mandir, Ramkrishna Mission Mandir, Brahmosamaj Mandir, Guru Nanak Shahi Guru Duara, etc. Noted churches are Holy Rosary, Amputi Thomas Anglican, Holy Cross, Armenian Church, etc; noted tombs: Hazrat Shah Ali Bagdadi (R), Pir Jangi (R), Shah Amir Ali Bagdadi (R), Golap Shah, Pir Ieameni (R), Niamat Ullah, Bibi Pari, Bibi Mariam, Bibi Champa, Chisti Behesti, etc. Noted graveyards: Azimpur, Banani and Narinda Christian graveyard.Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 53.9%; male 60.1% and female 45.9%. Educational institutions: public university 4, private university 15, government medical college 4, private medical college 11, technical training college, government teacher's training college 3, government college 21, non-government college 97, law college 3, government high school 55, non-government high school 315, junior high school 24, madrasah 165, government primary school 399, non-government primary school 226, NGO operated primary school 149, primary teacher's training institute 3, technical training institute 4, kinder garden school 143, English medium school 18. Noted educational institutions: Armanitola High School, Jagannath College (1884), Pogose School (1828), Pathantola Primary School (1888), Roail Primary School (1887), Dhaka College (1841), Adhar Chandra High School (1913), Dhaka University (1921), Jahangirnagar University (1970), Eden College, Dhaka Medical College (1946), St. Gregory School (1892), Dhaka Residential Model School and College, Central Women's College (previous name Northbrook Hall), Government Laboratory School, Viquarunnesa Noon School, Government Muslim High School (1874), KL Jubilee School and College (1866), Dhaka Notre Dam College (1949), Holly Cross School, Government Laboratory School, Joypara Pilot High School (1902), etc.Cultural organisations Club 447, association 99, public library 59, cinema hall 147, theatre group 15, theatre stage 17, cooperative society 367, women's organisation 74, stadium 8, playground 55, museum 6, gymnasium 18, swimming pool 12, zoo 1, etc. Noted cultural organisations: Dhaka Club, Officer's Club, National Press Club, Ladies Club, Sainik Club, RAOWA Club, Central Public Library, Jatiya Grantha Kendra, Raja Rammohan Roy Library, National Museum, Ahsan Manzil Museum, Mirpur National Zoo, Shishu Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Islamic Foundation, Bangla Academy, Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, No. 1 National Stadium (Bangabandhu Stadium), etc.Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailies (Bangla): Ittefaq, Inqilab, Bhorer Kagaj, Prothom Alo, Banglar Bani, Sangbad, Janakantha, Jugantar, Sangram, Rupali, Dainik Bangla, Dinkal, Arthaniti, Muktakantha, Ajker Kagaj, Al Amin, Dainik Bhor, Desh Janata, Janapath, Janmabhumi, Khabar, Samachar, Sakti, Desh Bangla, Manab Jamin, Bangla Bazar, etc; dailies (English): Bangladesh Times, Bangladesh Observer, Daily Star, Independent, New Nation, Financial Express, Morning Sun; weeklies: Aai Samay, Ekata, Bartaman Dinkal, Chuti, DhakaCourier, Nagari, Purbhabas, Sandwip, Gram Barta, Bichitra, Purnima, Jaijaidin, Sughanda, Robbar, Kriralok, Savar Barta, Jagrata Kantha, Saf Katha, Savar Kantha, Ganabhasha, etc; extinct: Bandhab Patrika (1874), Dainik Azad (1935), Weekly Mohammadi (1910), Dainik Nabajug (1941), Samakal (1854), Sahitya Patra (1948), Dainik Khadem (1910), Sabujpatra (1914), Moslem Bharat (1920), Kallol (1923), Al-Islam (1915), Education Gazette (1846), Weekly Bartabaha 91856), Swadesh (monthly, 1854), Bangadut (1829), Bangadarshan (1872), Nabanur (1903), Bengal Gazette (1780), Bengal Gazette (1818), Shikha (1927), Saogat (1918), Basana (1908), etc.Main occupations Agriculture 7.62%, agricultural labourer 4.41%, wage labourer 2.71%, industrial labourer 1.87%, commerce 23.08%, service 31.49%, construction 2.76%, house renting out 2.23%, transport 8.53% and others 15.3%.Land use Total cultivable land 17248 hectares; fallow land 207 hectares; residential and industrial 128905 hectares; single crop 35.5%, double crop 51% and treble crop 12.5%. Cultivable land under irrigation 64%.Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk. 2000 to four lakh per 0.01 hectare.Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, potato, peanut, onion, garlic, chilly, ginger, betel nut, pulse, corn, sugarcane and vegetables.Extinct or nearly extinct crops Asha Kumari and Koulgi paddy, linseed, sesame, jute, cotton, mustard seed, china, chhola and kaun.Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, papaya, guava, olive, coconut, kul and banana.Fisheries, dairies, poultries Poultry 482, fishery 256, dairy 285.Communication facilities Roads: pucca 1063 km, semi pucca 340 km and mud road 839 km. Major communication hubs: Zia International Airport, Kamlapur Railway Station, Sadarghat Launch Terminal and the bus stands at Saidabad, Gabtali and Mahakhali.Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage, goina boat and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.Manufactories Ceramic industry, beverage industry, press and publication, garments industry, foot ware, jute mills, textile mills, printing and dying factory, transformer industry, automobile industry, biscuit and bread factory, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry, soap factory, rice mill, flour mill, ice factory, ball pen industry, polythene industry, saw mill, brick field, cold storage, weling, plant nursery, etc. Besides, there are many spare parts work shops at Nawabpur, Bangshal, Dholai Khal Par and Sutrapur areas of Dhaka.Cottage industries weaving, jamdani sari, brass and bronze works, bamboo and cane works, goldsmith, blacksmith, potteries, wood work. Once muslin of Dhaka was famous.Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats, bazars and shopping centres are 316. Noted hats: Gabtali Cattle Market, Sarulia Hat (Demra Upazila), Dhamrai, Shreerampur, Kalampur (Dhamrai Upazila), Joypara, Kartikpur, Dohar, Medhula (Dohar Upazila). Noted bazars: Kawran Bazar, Captan Bazar, Waiz Ghat, Chawk Bazar, Tanti Bazar, Thatari Bazar, Naya Bazar, Bangla Bazar, Babu Bazar, Moulvi Bazar, Rayer Bazar, Siddique Bazar, Swari Ghat; noted markets and shopping centres: Dhaka New Market, Baitul Mukarram Super Market, Gulshan Market, Pir Eamini Market, Aziz Super Market, Eastern Plaza, Elephant Road, Banga Bazar, Mauchak, Dhanmondi Hawkers' Market, Gaochia Market; total number of fairs are 72, most noted of which are Dhaka International Trade Fair, Ekushey Book Fair, Ramna Baishaki Mela, Dhamrai Rath Jatra Mela, Dhamrai Poush Samkranti Mela, Bahauttar Prahar Mela at Savar, Bairagi Mela at Nawabganj; residential hotels: 70, most noted of which are Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Hotel Purbani, Hotel Sundar Ban.Main exports Rice, mustard seed, vegetables, peanut, banana, coconut, jackfruit, ready made garments, medicine, cosmetics, electronics, electrical goods, etc.NGO activities operationally important NGOs are brac, proshika, asa, CARE, grameen bank, Ganasastha Sangstha, CCDB, CCD, Swanirvar Bangladesh, World Vision, etc.Health centres Government Hospital 20, Upazila Health Complex 5, Private Hospital and Clinic 225, Child and Maternity Welfare Centre 75, Satellite Clinic 127, Family Planning Centre 361 and Veterinary Hospital 8