Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)

 The embellished Star Mosque.

Star Mosque is situated in Abdul Khairat Road, Armanitola, in the old part of Dhaka city. Mirza Golam Pir, whose ancestors had come to Dhaka and settled in Mohalla Ale Abu Sayeed (present-day Armanitola), erected it. Originally it was an oblong three domed mosque. 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 change it original plan. In 1987 the three-domed mosque was transformed into a five-domed mosque. 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 wall between the doors is 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 mosque).

Bahadur Shah Park (Queen Victoria Park)

Main gate of Bahadur shah Park

History

Named after Queen Victoria, the park was created in the first half of 19th century at the initiative of Nawab Abdul Gani in the Sadarghat area of Dhaka on the ruins of an old building, called Antaghar, a clubhouse of Armenians then living in a large number in the neighborhood. The place got a special identity because, during the Sepoy revolt of 1857, some mutineers including a woman were hanged publicly on the branches of the trees at this spot. The park was renamed Bahadur Shah Park in memory of the last Mughal emperor in whose time the mutiny took place. For a long time after the mutiny, this place remained a haunted area and
even in broad daylight people feared to tread upon this ground. In the 1960s, Dhaka city Corporation renovated the park and converted it to a memorial in honour of the martyrs in the struggle for freedom.


 

Architectural significance

Indeed, Bahadur Shah Park (former Victoria Park) is enriched with some architectural displays. There are two entrances of Bahadur Shah Park. Plenty of trees really make the place majestic. The sculptures in the park are one of a kind. There is a tall memorial at the eastern side. It is an Obelisk which commemorates the ascending of the throne of Queen Victoria as Empress of India and British Empire. There is another magnificent sculpture at the western part. It was built in the honour of the martyrs. There is also an octagonal fountain in the middle of a star shaped fountain in the park. It is a place of pride for our country. Bahadur Shah Park now attracts the young and the old, who come here to enjoy the peaceful environment. Whether you are interested in the history of old Dhaka or are simply looking for a place to take a relaxing stroll, Bahadur Shah Park is a delightful attraction in old Dhaka.



 

Activities

There were many institutions around the park. These are Jagannath University, Kabi Nazrul College, City Corporation Mohila College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College Government Muslim High School, Islamia Government High school, St. Gregory high school, St. Francis high school and Sunflower High School, among many others. At daytime, students of these institutions gather and gossip or study in the park area and many health conscious people entered into the park for jogging and walking both in the morning and in the afternoon. This fantastic attraction in Dhaka provides travelers with the opportunity to look back into the turbulent history of Bangladesh. The park attracts some two thousand five hundred visitors including foreigners each day and frequently sets the scene for cultural and religious festivals including Bengali happy New Year (Pohela Boishakh). Every day more than 2,000 people including women and the elderly arrive there after and before dark to do physical exercise and spend leisure. The hawkers are making business at the same time.

Pink palace Ahsan Manjil

Outside view of Ahsan Manjil Museum

 History

Caption: Visitors are standing in front of Pink Palace

The beautiful palace was the residence of Dhaka Nawab who was actually influential Zaminders. Who were later prized with Nawab title by the British due to their good relationship with them and their weathy condition. Nawab Khaja Alimulla Mia bought the area from French, which was their arsenal. Alimulla Mia constructed their residence and the grand son of Nawab Khaja Ahsan Ullah renovated the residence and designed it as palace, which was later named after him. It was renovated in 1982in present shape and into a museum. Situated in a beautiful site on the bank of the river the Buriganga. It has 31 rooms and 23 galleries displaying portraits, furniture, household article and utensils used by the Nawabs. Almost all the viceroys, Governors and Lieutenant Governors of British India who visited Dhaka spent some time at the Ahsan Manzil.

Opening Times:

Saturday :    10 a. m – 4p.m

Sunday:        10 a. m – 4p.m        

Monday :     10 a. m – 4p.m

Tuesday:      10 a. m – 4p.m

Wednesday: 10 a. m – 4p.m

Friday        :  4 p. m – 7p. m

Holyday  - Thursday