Sonargaon is the ancient capital

Sonargaon is the ancient capital of Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal. It is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj, Bangladesh. The great Muslim traveler Ibn Battuta visited it in the 14th century. It is the eastern terminus of the Grand Trunk Road, which was built by Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century, and which extends approximately 2500 kilometres across northern India and Pakistan to Peshawar in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province.

Ahsan Manzil

Ahsan Manzil is one of the most significant architectural monuments of Bangladesh. Established on a raised platform of 1 metre, the two-storied palace measures 125.4 m by 28.75 m. The height of the ground floor is 5 metres and that of the first floor 5.8 metres. There are porticos the height of the ground floor, both on the northern and southern sides of the palace. An open spacious stairway comes down from the southern portico, extending onto the bank of the river through the front garden. There was once a fountain in the garden in front of the stairs, that does not exist today. The spacious north and south verandas of both the floors rest on semicircular arches. The verandas and rooms are covered with marble. To construct the dome of Ahsan Manzil, the square room on the ground floor was given a round shape with brickwork in the corners. The room was then given an octagonal shape near the roof by squinches. This octagonal shape took the form of the drum of the dome. Finally, the kumud kali (buds of lotus) shaped dome was constructed by gradually slanting the eight corners to the peak. The dome is 27.13 m above the ground. The palace has enjoyed a varied history, starting from being Rang Mahal (of Sheikh Enayetullah, a Zamindar of Jamalpur pargana (Barisal) during the time of the Mughals) to a French trading centre. Nawab Khwaja Alimullah bought it from the French in 1830 and converted it into his residence, effecting necessary reconstruction and renovations. The final reconstruction was done by Martin & Company, a European construction and engineering firm, at the behest of Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani, who converted this house into the official Nawabi residence. The construction of the palace was begun in 1859 and completed in 1872. Abdul Ghani named it Ahsan Manzil after his son Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah. The newly built palace first came to be known as the Rang Mahal. On April 7, 1888, a tornado caused severe damage to Ahsan Manzil -- Andar Mahal, the older part of the palace, was completely devastated. During the reconstruction of the Andar Mahal a good part of the palace was overhauled and repaired, and the exquisite dome of the present Rang Mahal was added. Ahsan Manzil was again damaged by an earthquake in 12 June 1897 and again repaired by the Nawab Ahsanullah. In 1874, Lord Northbrook, Governor General of India attended an evening function in the palace when he came to lay the foundation of a water works installed by Nawab Abdul Ghani. In 1888, Lord Dufferin also accepted the hospitality offered at Ahsan Manzil. In 1904 Lord Curzon, on a visit to East Bengal, stayed in this palace on 18 and 19 February to win public support for the proposed Partition of Bengal. Almost all political activities of Nawab Khwaja Salimullah centred round this palace. Ahsan Manzil was the cradle of the All India Muslim League. With the decline of the Nawabs of Dhaka, Ahsan Manzil also started to decline. When in 1952 the Dhaka Nawab State was acquired under the East Bengal Estate Acquisition Act, it became impossible for the successors of the Nawabs to maintain the palace due to financial constraints. Nawab Khwaja Habibullah started living at Paribag Green House soon after the acquisition of the zamindari. The palace was soon on the verge of collapse as successors rented out rooms without considering its dignity. Over the years illegal occupants turned the place into a filthy slum. Recognising the historical and architectural importance of the Ahsan Manzil, the government of Bangladesh took the initiative to renovate it. In 1985 Ahsan Manzil and its surroundings were acquired. After the completion of the renovation work in 1992 under the supervision of the Directorate of Public Works and Architecture, it was brought under the control of Bangladesh National Museum (20 September 1992). A museum has been established there.

Lalbag Kella) (also known as "Fort Aurangabad")

Lalbagh Fort (Bengali: Lalbag Kella) (also known as "Fort Aurangabad") is an incomplete Mughal palace fortress at the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Construction was commenced in 1678 by Prince Muhammad Azam during his 15-month long vice-royalty of Bengal, but before the work could complete, he was recalled by Aurangzeb. His successor, Shaista Khan, did not complete the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688.

In the present fort area of 18 acres (73,000 m²), excavations have revealed the remains of either 26 or 27 structures, with elaborate arrangements for water supply, sewerage, roof gardens, and fountains. Renovation work by the Archaeology Department has now put Lalbagh Fort in a much-improved shape, and it has now become an interesting spot for tourists and visitors.

Bangladesh National Museum

The Bangladesh National Museum preserves and displays the cultural property and heritage, as well as specimens of natural history of Bangladesh. Its mission is to establish a bridge between the past and the present and uphold the national tradition and culture. It is located at Shahbag, Dhaka. The museum is well organized and displays have been housed in several departments like department of ethnography and decorative art, department of history and classical art, department of natural history, and department of contemporary and world civilization[1]. The museum also has a conservation laboratory. The museum was formally inaugurated on 20 March, 1913.

Mainamati-Laimai

An isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted -with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements of the 8th to 12th century A.D. known as Mainamati-Laimai range are extended through the centre of the district of Comilla.

Himchhari

It is located 18 km south of Cox's Bazar, along the beach. The broken hills and waterfalls here are unique. There is a hilltop resort from where the shore of the Bay of Bengal looks enchanting.

It is located 18 km south of Cox's Bazar, along the beach. The broken hills and waterfalls here are unique. There is a hilltop resort from where the shore of the Bay of Bengal looks enchanting.

The scenic beauty one can see while driving from Cox's Bazar to Himchhari - is Quite extraordinary, with lovely green hills on the left and the blue waves just on the right. The waterfall in Himchhari appears lively during the rainy season.

Teknaf beach is an attractive tourist spot

Teknaf is the southernmost upazila of Cox's Bazar district as well as Bangladesh. It is a small township on the Naf river at the end of the hilly region. It is an amazing place facing the green hills of Myanmar across the Naf river.

One of the major attractions of Teknaf is a cruise by boat or sampan. The town and its surrounding areas provide visitors an opportunity to see the people and culture of the Arakan and Rakhain communities. Teknaf beach is an attractive tourist spot. Besides, there is another beautiful beach at Shahpari dwip at the farthest end of this upazila.

St. Martin's island is a beautiful coral island

St. Martin's island is a beautiful coral island under Teknaf upazila. Local people call it Narikel Zinjira. It is also called the 'beauty spot of the Bay'. The 13 Sq.km island is a tropical treasure, situated 17 km away from Teknaf, with beaches fringed with coconut palms, seashells and bountiful marine life. Visitors can see live corals here. An overnight stay on St. Martin's island is really an extraordinary experience: you can lie in bed and listen to the murmuring of endless waves. It would be a bonanza for anyone to experience the beauty of the moonlit night on this island. Tourists may also plan a visit to Chhera dwip, which is close to St. Martin's island, and famous for its tranquil beauty.

Kuakata

It is a rare beauty spot at the southernmost tip of Patuakhali district. It has a wide sandy beach which affords one the unique opportunity of watching both the sunrise and the sunset.

Kuakata is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindu and Buddhist Communities. Many devotees arrive here during the festival of Rush Purnima and Maghi Purnima.

Cox's Bazar beach

Cox's Bazar beach is said to have the world's longest unbroken clean sandy beach. The 120 km length of the beach always attracts tourists from different parts of the world because of its smooth and soft carpeting of silvery sand sloping gently into the clean blue water of the Bay of Bengal. It is overlooked throughout by a picturesque range of forested green hills.

Cox's Bazar is famed for its calm and quiet, shark-free beach with the green trees and pretty hills on one side and the blue waves on the other. One, perhaps, does not come by many such seaside resorts around the globe. The beach is suitable for bathing, sunbathing and swimming. The beauty of the setting sun behind the waves of the sea is really breathtaking.

Sundarbans (beautiful forest)

Located at about 320km. West of Dhaka. Here in the south, spread over an area of about 6000 sq. km. of delta swamps along the coastal belt of Khulna is the biggest mangrove forest, Sundarbans (beautiful forest) - the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. These dense mangrove forests are criss-crossed by a network of rivers and creeks. One find here tides flowing in two directions in the same creek and often tigers swimming across a river or huge crocodiles basking in the sun. Other wildlife in this region is cheetahs, spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, wild bears and hyenas.The forest is accessible by river from Khulna and Mongla. There are rest houses for the visitors to stay and enjoy the unspoiled nature with all its charm and majesty. Spending some times inside the forest can be a rare treat for the lovers of nature. BPC offers package tours to Sundarbans.

Paharpur

In Paharpur, a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj railway station in the greater Rajshahi district, the remains of the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas has bee excavated. This 8th century A.D. archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The entire establishment occupies a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. and from 12fh to 15ft. in height with elaborate gateway complex on the north. There are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of other three sides with a total number of 177 rooms. The architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken its name from a high mound, which looked like pahar or hillock. A site museum built recently houses the representative coactions of objects recovered from the area. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the Veranda Research museum at Rajshahi. The antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaques, images of different gods and goddesses, potteries, coins, inscriptions, ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects . It has been declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
more about Historical places of Bangladesh

Mahasthangarh

Located at a distance of 18 km. to the north of Bogra town. Mahasthangarh is the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh on the western bank of river Karotoa. The spectacular site is an imposing landmark in the area having a fortified long enclosure. Beyond the fortified area, other ancient ruins fan out within a semi-circle of about 8-km. radius. Several isolated mounds, the local names of which are Govinda Bhita Temple, Khodai Pathar Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc. surround the fortified city.

Shatgambuj Mosque is situated at Bagerhat

Shatgambuj Mosque is situated at Bagerhat in Bangladesh. Shatgambuj Mosque is a famous historical mosque in our country. It is a big and beautiful building. The mosque is beautifully decorated. It is said that it was used as a mosque by Phir Khan Jahan Ali. The mosque has a great attraction for the tourists and visitors.
There is a big dighi near the Shatgambuj Mosque. This dighi is called "Ghora Dighi". It is said that a horse was made to run before digging the Dighi. The horse ran straight and stood covering a certain distance. That distance was accepted as the length of the Dighi. That is why the Dighi is called Ghora Dighi. From visiting this mosque and Dighi people come to know many things about the social works of Khan Jahan Ali. Bagerhat is really a place of historical interest. Many people come here from many countries to visit the Shatgambuj Mosque.

Rupban Mura an important archaeological site

Rupban Mura an important archaeological site of mainamati lying on a hillock just between the modern BARD and BDR establishments in the Kotbari area on the south of the Comilla-Kalirbazar road. Excavations have revealed here the remains of a remarkable semi-cruciform shrine of medium size (28.2m east - west, 28m north - south), together with a number of subsidiary structures, including an octagonal stupa and another one on a square base. A boundary wall within the oblong stupa courtyard encloses all these. Its regular entrance is on the east, facing the monastery entrance. Deep diggings have revealed three main periods of building and repairs and rebuilding, the earliest corresponding to c.6th-7th centuries AD. Very few remains of the latest period (10th-11th century AD) survive now in this very heavily disturbed site. see the parts: the cruciform Shrine and the Monastery

Bhoja Vihara is the third most extensive monastic

Bhoja Vihara is the third most extensive monastic establishment in mainamati near Comilla, next to shalvan vihara and ananda vihara. It is situated almost in the centre of the culturally rich Kotbari area, just adjacent to bard. A huge water tank lies on its east. Recent excavations have revealed the outlines of a 137.2m square monastery with a large cruciform shrine at the centre of its open courtyard. Vandals extensively damaged it in 1944-45. Excavations here are still in the initial stage and much remain to be uncovered. Work done so far has revealed the upper part of the central shrine and the outline of the square monastery with its impressive gateway at the centre of the northern wing. It is almost identical with Shalvan Vihara and Ananda Vihara in every respect except in minor details. The architectural characteristics that distinguish them all are a citadel like square shaped monastery, well-protected by 5m or more thick back walls, with only one fortified entrance set in an attractive and wide front facade, and guard rooms projecting outwards in the middle of the north side. A cruciform central shrine, the most attractive monument of the site, lies in the centre of the wide open courtyard, while a very large water tank lies on the east of each site. The courtyard is crowded with a host of ancillary buildings: votive stupas, subsidiary shrines and chapels. The northern wing of the cruciform central shrine has been fully uncovered. A giant bronze image of Vajrasattva has been discovered here. This is evidently the consecrated cult image of this shrine. Its sanctum was sanctified by double Pradaksina paths.

Kutila Mura stupas

Kutila Mura stupas stand majestically on top of the highest mound in the northeastern part of the Lalmai ridge near ananda vihara. The stupas are among the best preserved and most attractive monuments in mainamati. In form and style, they differ from those of shalvan vihara and other sites. They represent the traditional style, while Shalvan Vihara and others reveal an evolved style. The three main stupas here, standing north south in a row, apparently symbolise the 'three jewels' of Buddhism (tri-ratna): Buddha (knowledge), Dharma (morality) and Sanggha (discipline). The foundation of the middle stupa was laid in the form of a Dharma-chakra, its hub being represented by a deep shaft, while the spokes were formed by eight box-chambers where innumerable tiny terracotta and clay votive stupas and sealing were enshrined together with large pieces of a class of fine Buddhist sculptures in soft grey shale. The foundation shafts of other stupas also contained similar relics, but no sculptures. Evidence from the excavations suggests 7th century as the probable date of the earliest of these monuments; the latest perhaps dates to13th century AD, as indicated by an Abbasid gold coin recovered from an upper level of the site. Five ancient epigraphic records discovered in the Mainamati area refer to two Ratna-traya shrines in devaparvata. It may reasonably be inferred that the Kutila Mura establishment was one of them

Itakhola Mura

The Cruciform Shrine Originally built as a solid stupa on a square base, it was subsequently converted into a semi-cruciform shrine in the second period (8th century AD). It has a peculiarity not noticed elsewhere. Instead of a single chapel built in each of the long arm of the cross, a group of three long narrow chapels was built in the eastern (front) side of the shrine. In the middle chapel the colossal stone Buddha, now exhibited in Mainamati Museum, was discovered. The same peculiarity is noticed in the adjacent Itakhola Mura grand stupa, also on the eastern side facing the entrance. Fragments of bronze images found in other chapels suggest installation of such images there.

Khan Jahan Ali’s Mazar

Bagerhat is mainly famous for the Mazer of Khan Jahan Ali. Khan Jahan Ali was a great Muslim saint. The Mazar of Khan Jahan Ali’s a fine one-storeyed building. It has a beautiful dom. Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali was buried there. The tomb is made of stones. On the tomb there are writings in Arabic that he died on 25 October, 1459. There is a beautiful mosque near the Mazer. A big fair took place beside the Mazar. Many people from different part of the country came to visit the fair. There is a big tank in front of the Mazar. There are some crocodiles in the tank. The crocodiles come near when the Fakirs call and give them something to eat. Khan Jahan Ali’s Mazar is really a place of historical. Every year many people come here from many countries. It is a very charming place.