Lalbagh Fort, Old Dhaka.
Lalbagh Fort is one of the most renowned tourist places in Dhaka city. This fort is a symbol of the Mughal Empire with the great architectural art in Bangladesh. It is located in the old Dhaka, Lalbagh area near the bank of Buriganga River.
History:
Mughal prince Muhammad Azam Shah was known as Azam Shah (third son of Aurangzeb) started the work of this fort in 1678 when he was in Bengal. It was known as Aurangabad Fort. But it remained incomplete because he was called by his father in India. After that Shaista Khan was the new governor of Dhaka on that time and he stays on that Fort but also cannot complete the fort. The daughter of Shaista Khan died in this Fort her name was Pari Bibi. After her death, he also left Dhaka.
There are three major parts of this Fort, and one of these is the tomb of Pari Bibi. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb donated the Fort to Shaista Khan in memory of his daughter Pari Bibi. After the end of Royal Mughal period, this Fort area achieved a new name as Lalbagh replacing Aurangabad, so the Fort named as Lalbagh Fort. Now, the archaeological department of Bangladesh is maintaining this Historical place. This is one of the most attractive tourist zones in Dhaka. Lots of people visit the Lalbagh Fort every year.
Inside the Lalbagh Fort:
After entering by the main gate there are lots of beautiful flower garden with green grasses all over the Fort area. Tourist must be happy to see that. There is a history board of this Fort with the Fort map. After that, tourist can see the main building and that is the tomb of Pari Bibi. It is a unique structure. It is 20.2 square meter. This is the only building where marble, black basalt, and encaustic tiles of various colours, use to decorate this building’s interior at that time. Outside of this building, there are some more graves of an unknown child on both sides. In the East part of this Fort area, there is another building which was used by Governor Shaista Khan as his residence. It is a two-storied building.
There are an audience hall and the hammam. Now it uses as a museum with a lot of things like the bows and arrows, gun and rifle, the ceramics mould of cannon balls, daggers and sheaths, Chinese jars, bowls etc. Which all are used in 18th centuries. On the western side, there is a mosque. It is in the same alignment with the Pari Bibi’s Tomb. This mosque structure is a typical Bengali type. It’s a rectangular structure with three big domes. People can enter for prayer.
There is three entrance gate of this for one of these is a south gate. It’s facing to the river. It also has two domes. With different types of shapes. Also in this Fort, there are several secret tunnels. But now all the secret tunnels are permanently sealed.
How to go there:-
The easiest way to reach in Lalbagh Fort is going to Gulistan Golapshah Mazar road first, from there walk in the west side road around 5 minutes to reach the Laguna stand for Lalbagh near the Bangladesh telecommunication company limited (BTCL) building the main gate. The fare is 15 BDT and it will take around 20 minutes to reach the Lalbagh area, then ask anyone that where the main entry gate is. Beside this you can go by rickshaw from Gulistan area fare is around 60 BDT to reach Lalbagh Fort main gate. Besides this, from anywhere Dhaka tourist can come directly by Uber, CNG and Rickshaw to reach there. The fare may be 100 BDT to 500 BDT. (Vary by places).
Tickets:-
In front of the main entry gate, there is a ticket counter.
For Local tourist is 20 BDT, For SAARC tourist- 100 BDT and for foreign tourist is 200 BDT. But under 5 year’s child does not need tickets.
Entry Time:-
Regular Day off is Sunday and also with all the Government holidays.
From April to September time is 10am-6pm and from 1pm-1.30pm is break time
Monday open from 2.30 pm to 6 pm
Friday is 10 am to 12.30pm and 2.30 to 6 pm
Break time is 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm
From October to March time is 9 am-5 pm and from 1 pm-1.30 pm is break time
Monday is 2 pm to 5 pm
Friday is 9 am to 12.30pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm
Break time is 12.30 pm to 2 pm