Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, a megacity of roughly 10 million people in the city and more than 20 million in the metro area on the Buriganga River. It combines Mughal and colonial monuments, the crowded lanes of Old Dhaka, Louis Kahn's parliament building and some of South Asia's best biryani and street food.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Dhaka.
-
1
Early settlement on the Buriganga
Archaeological finds suggest settlement near the Buriganga in the ancient Bengal delta, within the wider Samatata and Vanga region.
-
2
Dhaka becomes Mughal provincial capital
Mughal governor Islam Khan Chishti makes Dhaka the capital of Bengal province and renames it Jahangirnagar.
-
3
Shaista Khan's rule
Governor Shaista Khan expands the city, builds bridges and mosques and promotes trade in muslin cloth.
-
4
Lalbagh Fort begun
Prince Muhammad Azam starts Lalbagh Fort; the work stops when he is recalled and the fort stays unfinished.
-
5
Capital moved to Murshidabad
Bengal's capital shifts to Murshidabad and Dhaka declines as a political centre.
-
6
British East India Company takes control
The British East India Company gains the diwani of Bengal and Dhaka comes under company rule.
-
7
Capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam
Dhaka becomes capital of the new province of East Bengal and Assam; the partition is annulled in 1911.
-
8
University of Dhaka founded
The University of Dhaka is founded and becomes the centre of Bengali intellectual and political life.
-
9
Partition of India
Dhaka becomes the capital of East Pakistan when British India is partitioned.
-
10
Language Movement
Students and citizens are killed protesting for recognition of Bangla; the date is now International Mother Language Day.
-
11
Liberation War
After the 25 March crackdown and a nine-month war, Bangladesh gains independence on 16 December 1971 with Dhaka as capital.
-
12
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban completed
Louis Kahn's National Parliament complex is completed after years of construction.
-
13
Rana Plaza collapse
A garment factory building collapses in Savar, killing over 1,100 workers, and reshapes global garment safety rules.
-
14
MRT Line 6 opens
Dhaka's first metro line begins service between Uttara and Agargaon, extended later toward Motijheel.
-
15
Political transition
Mass student-led protests in July-August 2024 lead to a change of government; travellers should check current advisories.
Historical sites
Places where Dhaka's past comes alive.
Lalbagh Fort
An unfinished Mughal fort complex begun in 1678 with the tomb of Bibi Pari, a mosque and a hammam.
Where: Old Dhaka (Lalbagh)
Admission: Approx Tk 200 for foreigners (approx $2), verify at the gate
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace)
The riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, restored as a museum of nawabi life.
Where: Old Dhaka (Kumartoli)
Admission: Approx Tk 500 for foreigners (approx $4)
Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)
A mosque covered in star-patterned chinaware mosaic, a well-known example of Bengal ornament.
Where: Old Dhaka (Armanitola)
Admission: Free
Armenian Church
A small church and cemetery built by Dhaka's Armenian merchants.
Where: Old Dhaka (Armanitola)
Admission: Free
Central Shaheed Minar
The monument to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement.
Where: Dhaka University area
Admission: Free
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban
The National Parliament complex designed by Louis Kahn.
Where: Sher-e-Bangla Nagar
Admission: Exterior free; interior by permission
Liberation War Museum
The main museum on the 1971 Liberation War.
Where: Agargaon
Admission: Approx Tk 500 for foreigners (approx $4) - verify
Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
The national mosque of Bangladesh.
Where: Paltan
Admission: Free