Would it be better then to tear down those buildings and then rebuild them with their original specifications, but using better materials (I guess something other than chun shurki)?

Would it be better then to tear down those buildings and then rebuild them with their original specifications, but using better materials (I guess something other than chun shurki)?

This would be novel -- especially when local architects rarely reflect 'traditional' forms in their creations because of,

1. Client insistence

2. Cost

But it will catch on -- just like it has globally. I'm sure a new building next to Curzon Hall should reflect the octagon minarets and sunshades -- but when will we see this happen? Hopefully soon.

Architecture should always reflect its surroundings....

This would be novel -- especially when local architects rarely reflect 'traditional' forms in their creations because of,

1. Client insistence

2. Cost

But it will catch on -- just like it has globally. I'm sure a new building next to Curzon Hall should reflect the octagon minarets and sunshades -- but when will we see this happen? Hopefully soon.

Architecture should always reflect its surroundings....

Building of Dhaka University's Chemistry department building next to Curzon Hall was completed in 70s. It reflects the appearance of Curzon Hall. Applied Physics Department building - built around the same time - on the other side of Curzon Hall looks very different. Planners are obviously not too concerned about the kind of things you are talking about.

Here I found a small picture of the Chemistry Department building:

http://www.univdhaka.edu/images/bodyImage/CHM.jpg

Planners are obviously not too concerned about the kind of things you are talking about.

Well all the more reason to keep complaining about it :) But I would not entirely agree with the statement...for example many of the buildings around DU that look similar to Curzon Hall were originally 2 storeys...later they were increased to four storeys but the style was maintained.

Even here in the USA, there was no preservation movement until the 1960s, when the destruction of many fabulous old buildings created an outcry. I don't expect a similar sudden commitment change in BD, but certainly we can try to build a general change in consciousness of the issue. And this is not merely a rich man's conceit. About 8 or 10 years ago when I visited my family's old home in the Old Town, my baby-taxi driver commented how we needed to preserve old buildings like that one.

Regarding the Applied Science building I would love to see it torn down and replaced with a Curzon-Hall look-alike.

I found this old picture of Madhur Canteen.

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh387/tislam84/DarbarHall1906-LaterbecameMadhurCan.jpg

Mirpur Road in 1966

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh387/tislam84/MirpurRoad1966.jpg

Bridge in Dhanmondi in 1966

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh387/tislam84/Dhanmondi1966Bridge.jpg

I found this old picture of Madhur Canteen.

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh387/tislam84/DarbarHall1906-LaterbecameMadhurCan.jpg

Wow... this must be a very old picture. There is no open space around Madhur Canteen since long time. It's surrounded by Arts Faculty, Institute of Business Administration and Arts Faculty Library since I know the place.

I found this old picture of Madhur Canteen.

Check page 7 of this thread :)

My bad... sorry Tanzirian Bhai.

edit - wrong thread

93 heritage buildings, sites listed for preservation


Tawfique Ali:
At long last, a government-formed expert body has come up with a preliminary list of heritage buildings and sites in the 400-year old capital city for preservation.

“We have prepared the first list of 93 heritage buildings and four areas in Dhaka city and submitted it to the works ministry on December 4,” said Chief Architect of Bangladesh ASM Ismail said adding that they will prepare more lists in phases.

The list has been made in consideration of historical, aesthetic, scientific, social, cultural, religious, political and heritage value of the structures and sites.

Government's Nagar Unnayan Committee, headed by the public works secretary, formed a standing committee for the job with the chief architect as convenor on June 23 last year.

The committee at its 19th meeting on December 28, 2008 endorsed the list.

The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) is expected to recognise the list officially through a gazette notification and issue public notice in this regard soon.

The development control wing of Rajuk will now notify the private owners of the heritage properties asking them to be cautious in any development intervention.

The Nagar Unnayan Committee has decided that the listed buildings and areas could not be fully or in part be demolished, rebuilt, altered or modified without its approval.

The standing committee has representatives from the Department of Archaeology, Buet, Dhaka University history department, Institute of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Institute of Architects Bangladesh, Asiatic Society, Dhaka City Corporation Public Works Department and a heritage conservationist Urban Study Group (USG).

Prof Muntasir Mamoon, a noted historian who has extensively worked on Dhaka, said that it was a praiseworthy initiative. The committee should make a complete list and send it to the experts concerned. He suggested for a heritage council.

“They should seek and accommodate opinion and recommendations from the architects, planners, historians and those who have worked on Dhaka's heritage treasure to set a modus operandi for conservation,” said Prof Mamoon.

Architect Taimur Islam, who represents USG in the standing committee, expressed disappointment over delay in the committee's function.

The works ministry initially directed the standing committee to come up with a preliminary list within a month but the spirit of urgency did not work and it took six months, he said.

Crucial jobs like setting development guidelines, categorisation of the listed buildings and gazette notification are yet to be done.

He suggested speedy introduction of the concept of TDR (Transfer of Development Right) to compensate the private owners of the listed heritage properties and persuade them to cooperate with the conservation move. The TDR system has been in practice in India and Hong Kong in Asian region, he said.

The chief architect said that they are thinking of TDR system to compensate the private owners so that they cooperate with the government move.

They will get a certificate by means of TDR and will be able to sell it in certain areas allowing construction of building floors beyond existing ceiling.

Until the TDR comes in practice under legal arrangement, the Nagar Unnayan Committee will look into development proposal at enlisted sites.

The standing committee covered primarily 1528 square kilometres of Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan (DMDP) area. It was formed as outlined in the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC), Antiquities Act 1976, and Dhaka Metropolitan Building Rules 2008.

Apart from specific significant buildings, the committee has enlisted particular roads in four areas including Farashganj, Shankharibazar, Sutrapur and Ramna.

The listed heritage properties will be categorised roughly in three groups of structures in consideration of their heritage value. One group will include structures unalterable at all, another group will contain those could be reconstructed partly and the last group will comprise those could be rebuilt completely, sparing a symbolic part as a relic.

As per provision in the Antiquities Act (Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904), the Department of Archaeology can consider enlisting a historic or archaeological edifice only if it is 100 years old.

But the standing committee is mandated to enlist such an edifice considering historical, architectural, political, aesthetic and cultural value even if it is not 100 years old.

There are only 13 archaeological sites enlisted by the Department of Archaeology in Dhaka city.

Conservation of heritage properties in Dhaka has always been in a deplorable state.

According to Prof Mamoon, successive governments have allowed destruction of country's priceless cultural properties one after another.

According to Shamsul Wares, a noted architect, there would be hardly any testimony to the history, past traditions and lifestyle if heritage properties are not preserved.

Panamnagar, a township set up by Hindu merchants during colonial era in Sonargaon near Dhaka, has lost its originality and uniqueness as an architectural heritage site in the way of restoration carried out by the government, said experts.

The World Monuments Fund rated Sonargaon-Panam City as one of the most endangered heritage sites in 2006.
Conservationist architect Abu Sayeed M Ahmed said that Unesco refused to declare Lalbagh Fort as a world heritage site because of wrong restoration.

Dhaka University authorities have mutilated original architectural features of historic Curzon Hall in the name of 'repair and maintenance,' according to experts.

Private occupants have demolished inner block of Barabari, a grand building of colonial architecture at BK Das Lane in Farashganj. Ruplal House in Shyam Bazar has been occupied by traders. Shankhanidhi House, an enlisted heritage site, has been leased out by Dhaka district administration for commercial use.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=73198

^^ Tanzirian bhai should be really happy about this! Next stop can be his apartment, the Bara Katra in the US :lol:

^^ Unfortunately such lists are nothing new. In the 1980s a list of heritage buildings in Dhaka was drawn up, but since then several on the list have been demolished and most others are in delapidated condition. Unless there is something different about this list in regards to political action or legal backing...it is sadly meaningless.

HOWEVER, I am delighted with efforts elsewhere...including a long anticipated restoration of the Chittagong Court House and ongoing restoration of Baliati Palace.

^^ Unfortunately such lists are nothing new. In the 1980s a list of heritage buildings in Dhaka was drawn up, but since then several on the list have been demolished and most others are in delapidated condition. Unless there is something different about this list in regards to political action or legal backing...it is sadly meaningless.

HOWEVER, I am delighted with efforts elsewhere...including a long anticipated restoration of the Chittagong Court House and ongoing restoration of Baliati Palace.

I think the private companies in Bangladesh should be involved in getting some of these restoration work done. Maybe they can publicize each landmark building being renovated under the banner of some well established firms. Thus increasing the goodwill of the company and also help restore these historical buildings.

Government activities are always slow and ineffective and in the long run won't do much help in preservation.

I think the private companies in Bangladesh should be involved in getting some of these restoration work done. Maybe they can publicize each landmark building being renovated under the banner of some well established firms. Thus increasing the goodwill of the company and also help restore these historical buildings.

Government activities are always slow and ineffective and in the long run won't do much help in preservation.

I agree, instead of have these buildings sitting around as museums, they could easily be restored for commercial purposes...hopefully in a manner that does not destroy their historic characteristics. For example Ruplal House could be converted into an elegant hotel overlooking the river. While currently, this is area of Dhaka is quite dirty and chaotic, such an investment could prove quite wise in the long run. Over time, I believe that river traffic will increase to the point that Dhaka will cease to be a commercial port, deferring to Narayanganj instead. Then the riverbank can be cleaned up and beautified. This has happened to many other major cities around the world.

I agree, instead of have these buildings sitting around as museums, they could easily be restored for commercial purposes...hopefully in a manner that does not destroy their historic characteristics. For example Ruplal House could be converted into an elegant hotel overlooking the river. ..... This has happened to many other major cities around the world.

Indeed. That's what's been happening in downtown Detroit. Many large and historic buildings were vacated over time with the intention of the building owners, to sell which never happened. In the last few years the city banded together with a lot of developers and many of these historic buildings are being transformed into luxury hotels.

93 heritage buildings, sites listed for preservation
......
Dhaka University authorities have mutilated original architectural features of historic Curzon Hall in the name of 'repair and maintenance,' according to experts.
.........

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=73198

I agree. Some recent pictures of Curzon Hall was put up here and to me they appeared sort of funny .... not how I remembered it but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Now I know.

I agree. Some recent pictures of Curzon Hall was put up here and to me they appeared sort of funny .... not how I remembered it but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Now I know.

Not sure what they are talking about. Curzon hall has a slightly different paint scheme now...white arches instead of red, and red domes instead of white...overall in place of peeling paint and myriad of posters plastered on it in the past, I think it looks better now.

Indeed. That's what's been happening in downtown Detroit. Many large and historic buildings were vacated over time with the intention of the building owners, to sell which never happened. In the last few years the city banded together with a lot of developers and many of these historic buildings are being transformed into luxury hotels.

Detroit is a particularly sad case of the decline of the American urban environment that took place when suburban living became peeminent. It used to be such a beautiful city.

Detroit is a particularly sad case of the decline of the American urban environment that took place when suburban living became peeminent. It used to be such a beautiful city.

They are making an effort to make it look better particularly in and around the casino(s) area, where my office is located. Detroit will never be another Cleveland. I suppose the 1967 riots left a permanent scare in the psyche of the whites, triggering their mass exodus when the growth of the suburbs began, and therefore not much interest in the city.

The immigrant population, particularly the "educated" class from the subcontinent have an unhealthy phobia about Detroit and keep away from it as well. I have no such notions since I have always worked in downtown Detroit. I have walked to the parking lot all by myself at 2:00 AM with any worry or incidents, I might add.

I have walked to the parking lot all by myself at 2:00 AM with any worry or incidents, I might add.

Maybe you are such a big scary looking fella that you frighten all the baddies away :naughty::naughty:

Maybe you are such a big scary looking fella that you frighten all the baddies away :naughty::naughty:

lol, the only thing I found interesting in Detroit was the GM complex.. it seemed like a mini city on it's own.

As far as the city goes can it be worse than Houston? I just moved here 6 months back from Chicago and it's plain pathetic.. I believe Houstonians have nothing better to do than just dining out at night.

:lol: I once saw in MSNBC that Houston was the fattest city in America, I now know why!

lol, the only thing I found interesting in Detroit was the GM complex.. it seemed like a mini city on it's own.

Detroit was one of the best cities in the US in the first half of the 20th century, as capital of the American auto industry, and has many beautiful buildings from that time period, but also many more that either have been destroyed or fallen into disrepair.

Actually I think of the GM complex as the worst of late modernism / early postmodernism...bloated and bombastic...a nice mirror for the state of the US auto industry and auto design circa 1980.

As far as the city goes can it be worse than Houston? I just moved here 6 months back from Chicago and it's plain pathetic.. I believe Houstonians have nothing better to do than just dining out at night.

Well my very first trip to Houston will be this March so I'm not in a position to judge. As a skyscraper fan though Houston has several highrises I am very much looking forward to eyeballing...and also has the distinction of being the site of my favorite unbuilt skyscraper...Kohn Pedersen Fox's rejected design for the Bank of the Southwest Tower in the early 1980s. Also am planning on visiting the Natural History museum there...one of the three best in the country.

Maybe you are such a big scary looking fella that you frighten all the baddies away :naughty::naughty:

On the contrary, my man, on the contrary. :angel:

Detroit was one of the best cities in the US in the first half of the 20th century, as capital of the American auto industry, and has many beautiful buildings from that time period, but also many more that either have been destroyed or fallen into disrepair.


Fortunately though, most of the historic buildings are fairly large and built well thus, the prominent ones are still around. The preservationists in the city/state are trying to make/keep them commercially viable (by turning them into hotels, luxury lofts, etc.). Detroit however, will never recapture its glory days, I'm afraid. It will remain as a has been city where most us suburbanites, go to work in the morning but leave before sun down.


Actually I think of the GM complex as the worst of late modernism / early postmodernism...bloated and bombastic...a nice mirror for the state of the US auto industry and auto design circa 1980.

Not sure what is being referred to as the GM complex? Do you mean the Renaissance Center or the GM tech center in Warren?

Not sure what is being referred to as the GM complex? Do you mean the Renaissance Center or the GM tech center in Warren?

Ren Cen...me is not a fan.

Detroit was one of the best cities in the US in the first half of the 20th century, as capital of the American auto industry, and has many beautiful buildings from that time period, but also many more that either have been destroyed or fallen into disrepair.

Actually I think of the GM complex as the worst of late modernism / early postmodernism...bloated and bombastic...a nice mirror for the state of the US auto industry and auto design circa 1980.



Well my very first trip to Houston will be this March so I'm not in a position to judge. As a skyscraper fan though Houston has several highrises I am very much looking forward to eyeballing...and also has the distinction of being the site of my favorite unbuilt skyscraper...Kohn Pedersen Fox's rejected design for the Bank of the Southwest Tower in the early 1980s. Also am planning on visiting the Natural History museum there...one of the three best in the country.

I personally don't care about buildings and it's architecture... Infact I have no interest in NY or Chicago downtown either. I was just talking from the facilities perspective, GM building seemed to have some nice restaurants, display of cars etc.

The natural history museum in Houston is pretty good, I have been there few times already. But all these are good for visitors, in order to settle down I would prefer cities like London, Chicago or Ny with more stuff to do over weekends on the long term..

I But all these are good for visitors, in order to settle down I would prefer cities like London, Chicago or Ny with more stuff to do over weekends on the long term..

Maybe because I have lived in smaller places, I have never quite understood why some feel that only the biggest or most famous cities have enough to do...when I think of "settling down" and having a family, all I require are some basic urban amenities, and feel as though there would be enough ways to take up my time beyond that regardless of the particular city I was in. To each his own though :)

Maybe because I have lived in smaller places, I have never quite understood why some feel that only the biggest or most famous cities have enough to do...when I think of "settling down" and having a family, all I require are some basic urban amenities, and feel as though there would be enough ways to take up my time beyond that regardless of the particular city I was in. To each his own though :)

Well I think it just depends on the situation. I lived at Urbana for 4 years during my undergrad years. I loved the small college town, really close friends, hanging out over weekend and playing cricket. Once in a while we also drove to Chicago and that was enough..

But now that I am working, and due to the consulting nature, travel a lot. I feel the need for bigger cities since I no longer have any close friends around. As in, it is pretty depressing getting stuck at Kalamazoo or something without any friends/family. Atleast in places like Chicago, I can just go to Michigan avenue, visit the great museums, attend a live concert or just sit at a cafe~ at Lincoln park neighborhood. The vibrant life of the city brings joy on it's own.

Heritage sites left in ruins

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2009/04/08/2009-04-08__f03.jpg

1. A part of the Baliati Jaminder Bari in Manikganj shows the state in which most of the prominent archaeological sites in the country are in. 2. An antique vault is left on the corridor of the Jaminder Bair exposed to natural elements. 3. The archaeology department has, however, installed a modern gate at the entrances to the Jaminder Bari. Photo: Al-haseeb Nomanee
Emran HossainYears of irregularities and neglect by the authorities concerned have led to damage, destruction and even occupation of priceless archaeological sites across the country, but such persisting loss of national heritage has failed to yield their attention.

Whenever the Department of Archaeology takes an initiative for conservation, preservation or restoration of an archaeological site, the process is inadequate, flawed, and finally wrongly done in violation of existing laws.

But the department is always turning a blind eye to the existing situation and hardly bothers to do anything.

"We don't agree we violate existing laws. We follow conservation manual and Archaeology Works Code in conservation, preservation and restoration," said former director general (DG) of the archaeology department Dr Shafiqul Alam, who has recently went on LPR.

He pinned the blame on financial crisis, human resources shortage and lack of capacity building facilities for the current situation.

But the irony is the existing Antiquity Act is very old and inadequate to preserve heritage and its text could not be translated in Bangla 38 years into independence.

"Heritage affairs should be maintained by heritage-oriented people. It cannot be maintained by government staffs," said Asiatic Society of Bangladesh President Prof Sirajul Islam. He referred to the autonomous heritage departments in America, Europe, Japan, Australia and even in neighbouring India.

Prof Sirajul added, "Neither money nor manpower shortage can be a problem in maintaining heritage sites. Heritage can earn money from inside and outside the country. The problem is our approach and lack of expertise."

"Though the archaeology department claims they are following Conservation Manual and Archaeological Works Code, it exists only on papers. Practically they are just destroying the sites violating existing laws," said Prof Shah Sufi Mustafizur Rahman of department of archaeology, Jahangirnagar University.

Noted historian Prof Abdul Momin Chowdhury said, "The experts must reach a consensus on how conservation of archaeological sites should be maintained."

Prof Sharif Uddin Ahmed said, "Conservation is a science meaning you cannot do whatever you like. Skilled artisan is a must to ensure proper conservation. To develop such expertise people should be sent abroad for training, while those who know history and archaeology must be involved in conservation."

CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION & RESTORATION
The case of restoration, conservation and preservation in Panam in Sonargaon launched by the BNP-Jamaat-led four-party government can be an example of how the process violates existing laws.

After the 1/11 changeover the caretaker government formed an enquiry committee to look into the Tk 17 crore restoration works in Panam. The process was earlier halted midway following widespread criticism as it was in fact damaging ancient monuments.

The enquiry committee recommended cancellation of the process saying it does not have a master plan.

Enquiry also found colours used on 'restored' parts were too shiny and bear the testimony of modern age rather than reviving originality of the ancient monuments. Besides, cement and sand were used in plastering instead of lime-surki for restoration works causing further damage.

Moreover, RCC (rod-cement-concrete) pillars and beams were used instead of wooden ones though international laws direct to preserve and display antiquities with original materials and authentic documents.

Surprisingly, despite having enough evidence of irregularities and neglect the enquiry committee did not recommend action against anyone.

"Some deviations occurred as we had to work in an abnormal situation in Panam. We had to displace the occupants first and allow some deviations considering durability of the monuments," said Shafiqul Alam. He claimed the work in Panam was not stopped and its second phase might start any day.

Another example of negligence is 'preservation' of Shat Gambuz Mosque (60-Dome Mosque) funded jointly by the Bangladesh government and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) during BNP-Jamaat rule.

A separate enquiry committee headed by Prof Sharifuddin Ahmed found 'preservation' of Shat Gambuz was carried out by making on-spot decisions without conducting a study. This was gross violation of the international charter for conservation and preservation.

Based on spot decisions all 60 stone-made pillars but one were cased by bricks and then plastered to 'strengthen' those, investigators say.

The archaeology department officials have failed to show any study that had found the pillars were not strong enough to support the ceiling.

The enquiry committee recommended action against the officials responsible in vain.

A member of the committee said only one pillar remains in original state and the rest have been just "destroyed" during 'preservation'.

Another example can be the site of "Harishchandra Rajar Dhibi" in Savar. Though three sites in Savar including the "Dhibi" were announced protected in 1920, the archaeology department could not even demarcate those with fences.

The international law says security of a site is the first to be ensured.

FURTHER NEGLIGENCE
The latest example of neglect by the archaeology department has occurred in Baliati Jaminder Bari in Manikganj.

The department replaced three doors at three main entrances to the Jaminder Bari last year. A broken but original wooden door remained and was repaired, but the department replaced the other three with iron-made doors having modern designs.

"We have installed the iron-made doors to ensure security to the Baliati palace. Wooden doors could not ensure security," said the former DG.

"If we want to preserve antiquities with all its authenticity all the sites will either be lost or destroyed as we don't have enough fund and manpower," comments an archaeology official.

THE ANTIQUITY ACT
The existing Antiquity Act, 1968 is just a version of the act formulated during the British rule. A ridiculous amendment was made in 1976 through an ordinance only to replace the names Pakistan by Bangladesh and rupee by taka.

A committee formed recently to update the Act is considering bringing some important amendments to the Act.

The committee thinks abolishing the provision of the advisory committee and entrusting its work with the DG would be an important amendment.

Experts say if such amendment is brought irregularities will rise by hundred times and antiquities will be lost forever. They suggest adding some strict criteria to ensure participation of experts from multiple disciplines.

The Act also discourages examination of archaeological evidence like earth, coal and ash abroad as there is no clear provision in this regard.

It even does not have the provision to take action against any persons involved in preservation, conservation and restoration in case of any loss as section 30 offers indemnity.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=83242

^^ Thanks Nayeem. I would however disagree with regard to Baliati Jamidar Bari which is pictured in the article above. Someone has been restoring it recently (don't know if it is GOB or private owner) and I am very happy with the job they are doing (see the thread on zaminder mansions if interested). In fact a number of important buildings have restored recently in different parts of the country. In fact the only area of the country where conservation is mostly absent (with exception of one or two showpiece monuments) is the one this thread was intended to highlight...Dhaka city, particularly the Old Town.

I hope the ancient city of Sonargaon is restored, it's very close to Dhaka and has lot of history and heritage attached to it. With proper improvement it can become one of the major tourish destinations of the country!

I'm gonna post some old Dhaka city maps. These files may be reposts. I found them on Internet & downloaded them for free. So i don't think there will be any copyright issue.

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/30.jpg

It's taken from A.H. Dani's book. No mentioned date of the map. But i think it's from British era because there is Victoria Park in the map.

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/Map_3_Pree-MughalandMughal.jpg

Image from www.dhakacitymap.com

Kinda same map. But in Bangla version.

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/dhaka_mughal_period.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/Map_4_City_of_Dhaka_including_cantonments.jpg


Image from www.dhakacitymap.com

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/001-JamesRennelsmapofBengalin1776.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/ancient_dhaka_around_2.jpg


http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/ancient_dhaka_around_1.jpg


Image from www.dhakacitymap.com

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/dhaka_01_08_1914.jpg


Image from www.dhakacitymap.com

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/dhaka_1921.jpg


Image from www.dhakacitymap.com

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/2217720.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/growth_of_city.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/006-dhakaafterMughalperiod18thcentury.jpg

Collected from http://dhakadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/06/maps-dhaka-and-bangladesh.html

Hello, Welcome to all. I am happy to see your pictures so I am showing my interest to all: http://bangladeshtourism.blogspot.com

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/growth_of_city.jpg

wow very cool to see the growth in pictoral form! :)

In the late 1700s...I think it was 1787 but don't quote me...there was massive flooding that caused the Brahmaputra River to change its course. After the flood, the river shifted its channel to a previously small river called the Jamuna. If you look at this map, which predates the flood, you can see the Brahmaputra River following its old course. The Jamuna - which is the largest river in BD today - doesn't even show up. The floods came at a time when the country was suffering from the intense oppression of the early years of British rule, and people were unable to cope...about one-third of the population of Bengal perished. The massive number of deaths caused the British government to step in and make many changes to the administration of the East India Company, which prior to that had pretty much free reign to do whatever it pleased.

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Dhaka%20Old%20Maps/001-JamesRennelsmapofBengalin1776.jpg

...

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Old%20Dhaka/IMG_3796.jpg


http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/Dhrubo_Alam/Old%20Dhaka/IMG_3789.jpg

India to help restore Tagore heritage sites

India will provide technical assistance for restoration of Rabindranath Tagore heritage sites in Bangladesh as part of Indo-Bangladesh joint collaboration for celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the Nobel laureate both in India and Bangladesh.

This was revealed by spokesman of the Indian High Commission, Deepak Mittal, in Dhaka yesterday.

Tagore had stayed in different districts of Bangladesh on short trips for managing land property left behind his father and for excursion. Tagore used to live in Kuthibari at Shelaidah of Kushtia district where his house is still being preserved by the Bangladesh government.

Revealing the outcome of secretary-level discussions on India-Bangladesh co-operation in the field of culture held in New Delhi on April 7, he said the opening ceremony of joint celebrations will take place in India and Bangladesh at the same time.

The opening ceremony in Bangladesh will be held between May 6-8 in Dhaka, with participation of an Indian VVIP and performing artistes, while the opening ceremony in India will be held between May 7-9 in New Delhi, with participation of a Bangladeshi VVIP and performing artists.

There will be joint programmes in India and Bangladesh between May 2011 and May 2012 covering performing arts i.e. dance, drama and films, of original prints and paintings, exhibitions, seminar, conferences, scholar retreats.
Joint Indo-Bangladesh overseas programme will be held at Unesco headquarters in Paris.

A “Robi Tirtha” – Tagore Circuit will be worked in Bangladesh and India through the tourism departments of the two countries.

During the bilateral talks held in Delhi, the Indian delegation was led by Jawhar Sircar, secretary, Ministry of Culture and the Bangladesh team was headed by Suraiya Begum, secretary, Ministry of Culture.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress on preparation for celebrations for the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore both in India and Bangladesh, the spokesman said.:cheers:

There's a BBC article online about Dhaka's heritage. I'm copying the article here, but look online for a little slideshow:

Saving Dhaka’s heritage

15 August 2011 | By Christopher Shay

From the back of a rickshaw in the busy streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, Taimur Islam shook his head and pointed to an old residential building being torn down. “There’s goes another one,” he said. “It never stops.”

Islam, an architect, is the head of the Urban Study Group, a small band of architects founded in 2004 that are campaigning to save the cultural heritage of Puran Dhaka, the most historic area in the city. The group has documented some 3,000 heritage buildings in Puran Dhaka, most of which have fallen into disrepair and are in danger of destruction. With about 700,000 inhabitants, the 24-sq-mile area is one of the most densely populated parts of an already packed city.

“It’s dirty. It’s messy. It’s crowded,” Islam said about Puran Dhaka, but that is part of its charm.

There are colourfully decorated rickshaws around every bend, tea shops on every block and kids playing cricket wherever they eek out the space. Calls for prayer echo from the mosques, and samosa sellers invite passers-by into their shops — oftentimes offering foreigners free samples.

To raise awareness of Dhaka’s heritage before it disappears, Islam runs two Urban Study Group walking tours a week for Bangladesh’s expatriate community and the rare tourist. A small donation of 500 taka is requested per person. Starting at 8 am and usually lasting until 11 am on Friday and Saturday, Islam guides people through the confusing warren of alleys to 400-year-old forts, tranquil Christian cemeteries and colonial mansions. He offers 10 different tour routes – each one shows a different part of Puran Dhaka and each is a fascinating three-hour history lesson through Dhaka’s past.

Dhaka became the Mughal capital of Bengal in the early 17th Century, during which the city was bustling trading metropolis. The Mughals built caravansaries (accommodations for camel caravans), palaces and bazaars, remnants of which can be seen on the walking tours. Trade flowed through the city, and a few merchants — many of them Hindu or Armenian — acquired great wealth, building stately colonial mansions next to the Buriganga River. Dhaka was one of the largest, most important cities on the subcontinent.

But it did not last. With the British takeover of Bengal in the mid-18th Century, Dhaka’s population and influence declined as the empire’s new colonial capital, Calcutta, flourished. By 1824, a visiting Anglican bishop from Calcutta called Dhaka a city of “magnificent ruins”.

After partition— when Pakistan, which included Bangladesh, split off from India in 1947 — most of the remaining Hindu merchants left, abandoning their homes. The wealthy Armenian community, which once numbered around 300 families, almost all died or left.

On one typical tour, Islam leads the group through the chawkbazaar, a 400-year-old bewildering maze of street market stalls, packed with everything from electronic goods to sweets. Just south of the bazaar lies the Barakatra, once the tallest structure in Dhaka. Built in the 17th Century, it housed 22 shops and acted as a grand inn for travelling merchants. Today, only about half the Mughal building stands, and ramshackle residences — even a public bathroom — have been cut into the building. You can still stand in one of the two remaining gateways and imagine trading caravans passing through.

Though the grand old merchant homes are falling apart, Islam’s tours take visitors into the courtyards to meet the families now living there. Bright saris hang on ornate, rusty railings. Kids play hopscotch in front of chipped colonnades. An 18th-century Armenian Church and a Christian cemetery dated to around 1600 – two quiet havens in the din of Puran Dhaka – offer respite from the often hot and dusty surrounds. The tour also includes pausing at one of Puran Dhaka’s small tea establishments for a short break of Bangladesh’s deliciously sweet tea.

The tours often end at the Buriganga River, which he calls the “beating heart of Dhaka”. On one tour, he takes the group to a rooftop overlooking the river, to see the heavily trafficked waterway filled with small, wooden boats, ferrying people and goods across.

Islam’s goal to restore Dhaka’s heritage buildings and attract tourists is going to be a challenge. As people have migrated from rural areas to the city, Dhaka’s population has increased from about 6.5 million in 1990 to about 15 million in 2010, with many of new residents living in slums. There is pressure to build up and modernize the city's overburdened infrastructure. Boxy, concrete buildings pop up quickly and are often shoddily constructed, and the city says more than 20% of the buildings would collapse if it were hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale. Additionally, conserving the city’s cultural heritage does not appear high on many politicians’ to-do lists.

While the Urban Study Group has had some notable successes, like preventing the destruction of the 400-year-old Shakhari Bazaar, Islam is pessimistic about Puran Dhaka’s future. At this rate, he said, "the buildings will all be gone in three or four years."

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2011/07/04/cover.htm

can anyone tell how can I contact with the committee or work as a volunteer?

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2011/07/04/cover.htm

"Their work will form the basis for our lost history, provide future generations with information to dig deeper into the past and bring to light the lost chapters of forgotten aeons."

Very heartening to learn that Dhaka people are volunteering their own time and top-grade expertise to uncover and save Dhaka's collective heritage dating back hundreds of years. Hope it comes out in a book sometime. Muntasir Mamun may be involved in this one -- knowing his interest in things of this sort.

There are excellent depts. of Armenian study in most larger US West Coast colleges (UCLA being one). They can be contacted for transliteration of the Armenian inscriptions...

Sonargaon heritage site to be restored
Govt signs deal with Youngone

http://www.daily-sun.com//admin/news_images/442/image_442_91731.jpg

The government has decided to restore the ‘Baro Sardar Bari’ in Sonargaon, a magnificent heritage site of the country, which has been decaying for lack of adequate maintenance and upkeep.

The government and Youngone Corporation, a Seoul-based company, signed an agreement on Tuesday for restoration and conservation of the splendid heritage site ‘Baro Sardar Bari’ in Sonargaon, the ancient capital of Bangladesh.

Cultural Affairs Secretary Suraiya Begum and Chairman of Youngone Corporation and the Korean EPZ Kihak Sung signed the agreement for their respective side at a function at the heritage site in Sonargaon Tuesday.

Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad, State Minister of Cultural Affairs Promode Mankin, South Korean ambassador in Dhaka Tai Young Cho and director of Folk Art and Crafts Foundation Rabindra Gope, among others, spoke at the signing ceremony.

Abul Kalam Azad said the government has taken the initiative to restore the heritage sites across the country so that foreign tourists could be attracted to visit these sites in Bangladesh.

The Information and Cultural Affairs Minister said the Baro Sardar Bari is an important archeological site in the country, which carry the culture and heritage of the Muslim, Hindu and colonial periods.

About the Baro Sardar Bari restoration project, he said this initiative will help strengthen the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and South Korea in the coming days.

‘Baro Sardar Bari’ currently houses the Sonargaon Folk Arts and Crafts Museum.

The Baro Sardar Bari is one of the finest examples of a residential complex of colonial period built on an earlier Muslim settlement or ruins.

The two-storey structure was partly built 200 years ago and the colonial part with double court was built in 1902.

The restoration project will involve substantial research and analysis to bring back the Baro Sardar Bari, as much as possible, to its original beauty and splendour.

Barrister Rafique-Ul Huq, Chief Information Commissioner Amba-ssador Muhammad Jamir, UNB editor in chief Enayetullah Khan, diplomats and senior government officials were present at the signing ceremony. —UNB

http://www.daily-sun.com//details_ds-Sonargaon-heritage-site-to-be-restored_442_1_10_1_8.html

india offers tejas to bangladesh

source

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