400 years of Dhaka

Dhaka is 400 years old, celebrations begin

Thursday November 27, 2008 Bangladesh began three-year-long celebrations to mark the establishment of its capital city Dhaka, which will turn 400 years old in 2010. The slogan of the colourful inaugural programme is “Ahen Moji Furtitey” (come and enjoy). Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed inaugurated the programme at the south plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (parliament house). He called upon all concerned to take effective steps to make the capital Dhaka a bustling, habitable and modern city.

He said the history of once Bangla then East Bengal and thereafter today's Bangladesh was basically encircled keeping Dhaka as its centre.
Mentioning Dhaka as the witness of many historical events, the Chief Adviser said Dhaka city and its people are the architects of many splendid creations including the Revolution in 1857, Language Movement, Mass Upsurge, surrendering of Pakistani occupation forces and Democratic Movement of 1990.

Elephants being displayed marking the celebration of400 years of Dhaka as capital in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The Chief Adviser called upon the city corporation mayor, ward commissioners, city planners, utility service departments, civil society and conscious city dwellers to take steps to protect all surrounding rivers to save the capital city Dhaka.
He also advised all concerned including the archeological department to take meaningful initiatives for proper preservation of the historic establishments and other archeological sites including Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil and Baro Katara.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed also released a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion. Different socio-cultural organisations have also organised cultural programmes. Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels have telecast live the inaugural function.

Although Dhaka came to be used as the capital city in 1610, human habitation in the city dates back to the 7th or 8th century. City dwellers expect festive celebrations of the event. Although the expectations run high, the city custodian, Dhaka City Corporation, is yet to be aware of festivities on the occasion.

Debates are also rife on the year of the founding of Dhaka as capital city. Most academicians prefer to celebrate Dhaka’s 400 years as a capital city in 2010, as Subahdar Islam Khan shifted the capital from Rajmahal to Dhaka in July 1610 and named it Jahangirnagar after Mughal Emperor Jahangir. But some amateur historians prefer 2008 for the celebrations saying subahdar Islam Khan conquered Dhaka in July 1608. Such a group, Dhaka Itihas Gabeshana Kendra, urged the people to observe 399 years of Dhaka on July 16. Itihas Gabeshana Kendra director Hashem Sufi said they would observe the 400th founding day of Dhaka as capital city on July 16, 2007 and the 400th anniversary on July 16, 2008. Another organisation, Citizen’s Committee for Preservation of History and Culture of Dhaka, which deals with history and culture of Dhaka, has planned to celebrate the occasion in 2010.

Dhaka is known to be in existence from the seventh century. It grew as an urban centre when it became the provincial capital of the Mughal Bengal in 1610. The city ran to the British rule in 1765. It became the capital of East Pakistan in 1947, and in 1971, the city became the capital of independent Bangladesh. It was formerly spelt Dacca, which was changed to Dhaka by the former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1982. The origin of the name of Dhaka is shrouded in mystery.

Some believe it has derived from Dhakeswari Temple, originally built around 12th century by a Sena king. Others believe the name has derived from dhak, which is Bangla for drum, which was beaten during the inauguration of the capital in 1610 by Islam Khan. In 1947, Dhaka became the administrative capital and the largest city of East Pakistan. Its population expanded considerably and it went through great political upheavals. Modern Dhaka has vastly outgrown the old demarcation. Its population has grown to around 13 million for the population shift from rural areas. Old Dhaka with its important port and various historical sites can still be found on the south of the sprawling, disorganised modern city.

Dhaka University celebrates 400 years of Dhaka

Dhaka University students brought out a colourful procession on the campus on 30 November 2008 celebrating the 400 years of capital Dhaka. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. SMA Faiz inaugurated the ceremony on the campus.

The DU campus was decorated to celebrate 400 years of Dhaka. Students carrying various placards, masks, banners and festoons brought out colourful processions from different dormitories that rolled out on the campus and gathered at the Mall Chattar. Several hundred resident and non-resident students in traditional dresses participated in the procession as the sound of drums filled the air. Stalls have been set up on the campus showcasing Dhaka's heritage and paintings.