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Revision as of 06:34, 12 July 2015
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{{pagebanner|Dhaka Wikivoyage Banner.png}}
{{pagebanner|Dhaka Wikivoyage Banner.png}}
{{printDistricts}}
{{printDistricts}}
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[[File:Dhaka-skyline-aymash.jpg|thumb|Dhaka
skyline
in
2007
]]
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[[File:Dhaka-skyline-aymash.jpg|thumb
|300px
|Dhaka
is
the
administrative, financial and cultural heart of Bangladesh
]]
−
'''Dhaka''' (formerly '''Dacca''' in English) is the capital of Bangladesh. One of the major cities of [[South Asia]], it has a population of over 15 million and is the political, economic and cultural focal point of Bangladesh.
It
emerged as a cosmopolitan and religiously diverse city in the 17th century when it became the capital of the historic region of [[Bengal]] in the Mughal Empire. Becoming the capital of independent Bangladesh after the country's Liberation War in 1971; Dhaka has emerged as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. With its daily of 600,000
Bengali
cycle-rickshaws, Dhaka is known as the '''''Rickshaw Capital of the World'''''.
+
'''Dhaka''' (formerly '''Dacca''' in English) is the capital of Bangladesh. One of the major cities of [[South Asia]], it has a population of over 15 million
people
and is the political, economic and cultural focal point of Bangladesh.
Dhaka
emerged as a cosmopolitan and religiously diverse city in the 17th century when it became the capital of the historic region of [[Bengal]] in the Mughal Empire. Becoming the capital of independent Bangladesh after the country's Liberation War in 1971; Dhaka has emerged as one of the fastest growing cities in the world
. The city boasts of significant modernist international architecture
. With its daily
traffic
of 600,000 cycle-rickshaws, Dhaka is
also
known as the '''''Rickshaw Capital of the World'''''.
−
==Districts==
==Districts==
{{Regionlist
{{Regionlist
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| region1color=#6580A2
| region1color=#6580A2
| region1items=
| region1items=
−
| region1description=Home to the National Capital Complex, including the National Parliament designed by Louis Kahn. It also includes the prestigious University of Dhaka campus, the historic Suhrawardy Park, the Institute of Fine Arts, the Bangladesh National Museum, the Dhaka Club, the
colonial
Ramna Park, the Liberation War Museum, the Motijheel Commercial Area and the Kawran Bazaar Business District. It is
also
the city's financial
heart
and center of the national press and media.
+
| region1description=Home to the National Capital Complex, including the National Parliament designed by Louis Kahn. It also includes the prestigious University of Dhaka campus, the historic Suhrawardy Park, the Institute of Fine Arts, the Bangladesh National Museum, the Dhaka Club, the Ramna Park, the Liberation War Museum, the Motijheel Commercial Area and the Kawran Bazaar Business District. It is the city's financial
hub
and
the
center of the national press and media.
| region2name=[[Dhaka/North|North Dhaka]]
| region2name=[[Dhaka/North|North Dhaka]]
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==Understand==
==Understand==
Modern Dhaka is a thriving, colourful and congested metropolis. Being one of the most densely populated places on the planet, Dhaka can be one of the most frenetic cities in the world. Its streets and rivers are filled with colourful chaos. The city plays host to the highest number of rickshaws in the world. Dhaka is also the center of Bangladesh's textile industry, the country's principal foreign exchange earner. Experiencing the city for the first time may seem overwhelming.
Modern Dhaka is a thriving, colourful and congested metropolis. Being one of the most densely populated places on the planet, Dhaka can be one of the most frenetic cities in the world. Its streets and rivers are filled with colourful chaos. The city plays host to the highest number of rickshaws in the world. Dhaka is also the center of Bangladesh's textile industry, the country's principal foreign exchange earner. Experiencing the city for the first time may seem overwhelming.
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=== Geography ===
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{{Infobox|Dhaka in the Bengal Delta|Dhaka is located in the most dynamic hydrological system in the world, where mighty rivers churn the landscape during annual monsoon rains and floods, producing one of the most fertile regions in the world and an amazing chemistry of land and water.}}
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Dhaka covers a total area of 360 square kilometres (140 sq mi) in the lower reaches of the Ganges delta. It is bounded by the Rivers Buriganga, Dhaleshwari and Turag; and their numerous tributaries and river channels. The land is close to sea level. Dhaka is vulnerable to flash floods during the monsoon.
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===Etyomology===
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The literal meaning of the name Dhaka is "concealed". The enigmatic name might have originated from ''dhak'' trees found in the area; or from the 12th-century Hindu Dhakeshwari Temple.
===History===
===History===
−
[[File:
Inside
Lalbagh Fort.
jpeg
|thumb|
A
Mughal
building
in
Lalbagh]]
+
[[File:
Lalbagh Kella
(
Lalbagh Fort
) Dhaka Bangladesh 2011 57
.
JPG
|thumb|
The
17th
century
Mughal
Lalbagh
Fort
]]
−
[[File:
Angel of Armanitola
.
jpg
|thumb|
A sculpture in the
Armenian
Church,
built
in
1781
]]
+
[[File:
DhakaCity1861
.
png
|thumb|
Dhaka
under
British
rule
in
1861
]]
The earliest settlements in the region date back 2,500 years. Dhaka was the capital of Bengal during the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. As the seat of administration and commerce in the Bengal Delta, the wealthiest and most fertile region in the Empire, it became one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Asia. Proclaimed as the provincial capital in 1608, Mughal Dhaka had a population of one million people, with well-laid out gardens, monuments, tombs, forts, mosques, temples, churches and caravansaries and churches. The city was home to Armenian, Persian, Greek, Arab, Portuguese, French, Dutch and English merchants. Its riverbanks were once dotted with numerous stately mansions and the city was described as the ''Venice of the East''. The Dhaka District was famous worldwide for its fine cotton muslin fabrics. The British East India Company took control of the city in 1793.
The earliest settlements in the region date back 2,500 years. Dhaka was the capital of Bengal during the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. As the seat of administration and commerce in the Bengal Delta, the wealthiest and most fertile region in the Empire, it became one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Asia. Proclaimed as the provincial capital in 1608, Mughal Dhaka had a population of one million people, with well-laid out gardens, monuments, tombs, forts, mosques, temples, churches and caravansaries and churches. The city was home to Armenian, Persian, Greek, Arab, Portuguese, French, Dutch and English merchants. Its riverbanks were once dotted with numerous stately mansions and the city was described as the ''Venice of the East''. The Dhaka District was famous worldwide for its fine cotton muslin fabrics. The British East India Company took control of the city in 1793.
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In British Bengal, Dhaka and its sister city [[Calcutta]] played a tale of two cities in the region, greatly affecting the course of events in the British Raj. The short-lived Partition of Bengal in 1905 established Dhaka as the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam and incubated the broader Indian independence movement. The All India Muslim
League
was established
in Dhaka in 1906. The University of Dacca gained a reputation as the ''Oxford of the East'' in its early years. Dhaka became the capital of East Pakistan after the Partition of British India in 1947. Increasing political and cultural friction with West Pakistan gave rise to the secular Bengali nationalist movement in the 1950s. The Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 established Dhaka as the new national capital.
+
In British Bengal, Dhaka and its sister city [[Calcutta]] played a tale of two cities in the region, greatly affecting the course of events in the British Raj. The short-lived Partition of Bengal in 1905 established Dhaka as the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam and incubated the broader Indian independence movement. The All India Muslim
Educational
Conference
in Dhaka in 1906
established the All India Muslim League
. The University of Dacca gained a reputation as the ''Oxford of the East'' in its early years. Dhaka became the capital of East Pakistan after the Partition of British India in 1947. Increasing political and cultural friction with West Pakistan gave rise to the secular Bengali nationalist movement in the 1950s. The Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 established Dhaka as the new national capital.
Post-independence, the city has greatly expanded with the inauguration of Louis Kahn's capital complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the rise of posh modern neighborhoods in North Dhaka and densely populated satellite towns. It was the birthplace of SAARC in 1985. The growth of the Bangladeshi economy has brought greater trade and foreign investment. Dhaka continues to face many challenges. The gap between rich and poor is widening. A thirty minute rickshaw ride can take you from the impossibly crowded shantytowns near Old Dhaka to the glitzy upper class neighborhoods of Gulshan and Banani, where a meal costs more than what most people earn in a day.
Post-independence, the city has greatly expanded with the inauguration of Louis Kahn's capital complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the rise of posh modern neighborhoods in North Dhaka and densely populated satellite towns. It was the birthplace of SAARC in 1985. The growth of the Bangladeshi economy has brought greater trade and foreign investment. Dhaka continues to face many challenges. The gap between rich and poor is widening. A thirty minute rickshaw ride can take you from the impossibly crowded shantytowns near Old Dhaka to the glitzy upper class neighborhoods of Gulshan and Banani, where a meal costs more than what most people earn in a day.
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The '''weather''' is subtropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April–September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October–March). Visitors from colder countries might want to visit in the winter when temperatures are around 20C and humidity is low (around 60-70%). Most rainfall occurs between May and October. Increasing air and water pollution emanating from traffic congestion and industrial waste are serious problems affecting the city. Dense fog is usually seen between November and January, and can disrupt flights and ferry transport.
The '''weather''' is subtropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April–September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October–March). Visitors from colder countries might want to visit in the winter when temperatures are around 20C and humidity is low (around 60-70%). Most rainfall occurs between May and October. Increasing air and water pollution emanating from traffic congestion and industrial waste are serious problems affecting the city. Dense fog is usually seen between November and January, and can disrupt flights and ferry transport.
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[[File:Angel of Armanitola.jpg|thumb|upright|A sculpture in the Armenian Church, built in 1781]]
===Literature===
===Literature===
The following is a selection of prominent works set in the city:
The following is a selection of prominent works set in the city:
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===By plane===
===By plane===
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[[File:
Shahjalal
International
Airport
(02)
.
jpg
|thumb|
Hazrat
Shahjalal
International Airport]]
+
[[File:
Airbus
of Turkish Airlines in Shahjalal
Airport
,
Dhaka 01
.
JPG
|thumb|
A
Turkish Airlines jet in Dhaka
International Airport]]
−
'''Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport''' ('''DAC'''/'''HSIA''') is the primary airport serving Dhaka.
Major
flights
come
from [[London]], [[Istanbul]], [[Dubai]], [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Bangkok]], [[Karachi]], [[Mumbai]], [[New Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Yangon]] and [[Kathmandu]]. There are also flights to [[Paro]] in [[Bhutan]], [[Male]] in the [[Maldives
]] and [[Guangzhou
]] and [[Kunming]] in [[China]]. The airport has significant traffic with the Middle East, including [[Muscat]], [[Jeddah]], [[Doha]], [[Bahrain]] and [[Kuwait]]. The national airline '''Biman''' operates flights to 21 cities in Europe and Asia; while private Bangladeshi carriers operate
several
regional flights.
HSIA
is a relatively modern and efficient airport. However, immigration can take notoriously long during peak hours
, as the system is manual
.
+
'''Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport''' ('''DAC'''/'''HSIA''') is the primary airport serving Dhaka.
It
has
regular international flights
from [[London]], [[Istanbul]], [[Dubai]], [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong
]], [[Colombo
]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Bangkok]], [[Karachi]], [[Mumbai]], [[New Delhi]], [[Kolkata]], [[Yangon]] and [[Kathmandu]]. There are also flights to [[Paro]] in [[Bhutan]], [[Male]] in the [[Maldives]] and [[Kunming]] in
the Yunnan province of
[[China]]. The airport has significant traffic with the Middle East, including [[Muscat]], [[Jeddah]], [[Doha]], [[Bahrain]] and [[Kuwait]]. The national airline '''Biman''' operates flights to 21 cities in Europe and Asia; while private Bangladeshi carriers operate regional flights
within South and Southeast Asia
.
Hazrat Shahjalal
is a relatively modern and efficient airport. However, immigration can take notoriously long during peak hours.
−
Domestic
services
link
Dhaka
with
seven
airports
in [[Chittagong]], Sylhet, [[Cox's Bazar]], Saidpur, Barisal, Jessore, Rajshahi and Ishwardi
.
Aside from Biman, domestic carriers include United Airways Bangladesh, Regent Airways, US-Bangla Airlines and Novo Air.
+
Domestic
flights
link
five
cities
within
the
country
.
===By train===
===By train===
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=== By rickshaw ===
=== By rickshaw ===
−
[[File:
Rickshaw
in
Sonargaon
.jpg|thumb
|240px
|A rickshaw
parked
in
Old
Dhaka]]
+
[[File:
Pohela
boishakh
8
.jpg|thumb|A
cycle
rickshaw in
front of Curzon Hall,
Dhaka
University
]]
Cycle-rickshaws or simply, rickshaws, are the most popular form of transport, and good for short distances, mainly on side streets. They make up the bulk of the city's horrendous traffic, and charge around Tk 15 per kilometre. Negotiating a fare beforehand is essential as a foreigner. Rickshaws in wealthy areas such as Banani and Gulshan often must pay local mafia men for the privilege of servicing the high-price areas. This can sometimes mean drivers are apprehensive to take passengers to these areas. Additionally, foreigners should also be warned that rickshaws will sometimes begin the ride with a pitch to sell drugs or prostitutes. This is very rare. One or two simple, but firm, declines will generally solve the situation. If you're a woman, it's particularly inadvisable to ride around alone in rickshaws after dark; you're a slow-moving target asking for trouble from thugs and muggers. Take a yellow taxi instead.
Cycle-rickshaws or simply, rickshaws, are the most popular form of transport, and good for short distances, mainly on side streets. They make up the bulk of the city's horrendous traffic, and charge around Tk 15 per kilometre. Negotiating a fare beforehand is essential as a foreigner. Rickshaws in wealthy areas such as Banani and Gulshan often must pay local mafia men for the privilege of servicing the high-price areas. This can sometimes mean drivers are apprehensive to take passengers to these areas. Additionally, foreigners should also be warned that rickshaws will sometimes begin the ride with a pitch to sell drugs or prostitutes. This is very rare. One or two simple, but firm, declines will generally solve the situation. If you're a woman, it's particularly inadvisable to ride around alone in rickshaws after dark; you're a slow-moving target asking for trouble from thugs and muggers. Take a yellow taxi instead.
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{{movetodistrict}}
{{movetodistrict}}
[[File:BD Parliament 1.JPG|thumb|300px|Louis Kahn's stately capital complex was his vision of a modern Bengali city, with crisscrossing canals and gardens]]
[[File:BD Parliament 1.JPG|thumb|300px|Louis Kahn's stately capital complex was his vision of a modern Bengali city, with crisscrossing canals and gardens]]
+
[[File:Sriti shoud.jpeg|thumb|National Martyrs Memorial]]
+
[[File:Tomb Of Three Leader 3.A.M.R.jpg|thumb|Mausoleum of the three British Bengal premiers in Suhrawardy Udyan]]
* '''National Capital Complex''' The parliament district, home to the National Parliament House and the official residence of the Prime Minister. It is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world and has a huge area with gardens and lakes. The complex is one of the celebrated works of the American architect Louis I Kahn, who combined regional modernism with the ancient architectural heritage and riverine geography of Bangladesh. The Parliament is open for visiting foreign tourists from Sunday to Thursday between 9 am and 5 pm. Visitors must carry a copy of their passport and visa and submit a fee of 600/- Taka to the Parliament reception in the main building.[http://www.parliament.gov.bd/index.php/en/visit-parliament]
* '''National Capital Complex''' The parliament district, home to the National Parliament House and the official residence of the Prime Minister. It is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world and has a huge area with gardens and lakes. The complex is one of the celebrated works of the American architect Louis I Kahn, who combined regional modernism with the ancient architectural heritage and riverine geography of Bangladesh. The Parliament is open for visiting foreign tourists from Sunday to Thursday between 9 am and 5 pm. Visitors must carry a copy of their passport and visa and submit a fee of 600/- Taka to the Parliament reception in the main building.[http://www.parliament.gov.bd/index.php/en/visit-parliament]