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Dhaka - History |
Dhaka's history starts in the 1st millennium AD, but it did not rise to prominence until the 17th century, when it served as the Mughal capital of Bengal province from 1608 until 1639 and later again from 1660 until 1704. It was the centre of a flourishing sea trade, attracting English, French, and Dutch traders.
Historic buildings of the Muslim period include Lal Bagh fort (1678) and its tomb of Bibi Pari (1684), wife of a governor of Bengal; the Bara Katra (great caravansary; 1664); the Chhota Katra (small caravansary; 1663); and Husayni Dalan (a religious monument of the Shi'ite sect; 1642). Other 17th-century buildings include the Hindu Dhakeswari temple and Tejgaon church, built by the Portuguese. The more than 700 mosques, including Bayt ul-Mukarram, date back to the 15th century.
With the removal of the provincial capital in 1704 to Murshidabad and the decline of the muslin industry, Dhaka entered a period of decline. It passed under British control in 1765, was constituted a municipality in 1864, but continued to decay until it was designated capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam province (1905-1912). During the early 20th century Dhaka served as a commercial centre and seat of learning. In 1947 it became the capital of East Bengal province and in 1956 of East Pakistan. Dhaka suffered heavy damage during the war of independence in 1971 but emerged as the capital of Bangladesh. The population in 1991 was 3,397,190.
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