Visit Dhaka's impressive Lalbagh Fort   by Elisha Burberry

Once described by ex-Monty Python star and globalexplorer Michael Palin as "like Venice on speed", Dhaka has long been the subject of fascination with both travellers and historians in South Asia. The city has suffered a long, fractured and brutal history, witnessing the turmoil of Partition in 1947 and the creation of the state of Bangladesh in 1972, as well as the heartache of wartime devastation and a flurry of natural calamities throughout its past. However, Bangladesh's capital still retains a distinct sense of heritage and cultural identity, referencing its eclectic historical background in every architectural corner of the city.

One of Dhaka's greatest historical and architectural triumphs is the Lalbagh Fort, a Mughal palace fortress found on the city's south western fringes, which boasts a tragic and intriguing history. The building of the Lalbagh Fort began in 1678, during the vice-royalty of Prince Muhammed Azam - the son of the reigning Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. The Prince was betrothed to Bibi Pari, the daughter of Bengal's Governor, Nawab Shaista Khan; but following the death of Bibi Pari, Shaista Khan was said to have believed the Lalbagh Fort was inauspicious, and therefore called an end to its construction.

The tomb of Bibi Pari now forms a primary part of the remains of the present-day Lalbagh Fort and is considered by many as the fort's most impressive attraction. A square-planned building within the fort, the Bibi Pari tomb is composed of eight rooms which surround a square central room that contain Bibi Pari's remains - a tribute that inevitably echoes the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, which is to be found in Agra's Taj Mahal. Additionally, a small grave found in the corner of Bibi Pari's tomb is supposedly that of Shamsad Begum, the daughter of Bibi Pari.

As well as Bibi Pari's tomb, the Lalbagh Fort mainly centres on the mosque and the Diwan-i-Am. The Lalbagh Fort's mosque comprises a three-domed structure with fountains placed at regular intervals. Water channels and fountains are, in fact, a prevalent feature of the Lalbagh Fort, and were largely characteristic of Mughal architecture in general. The Diwan-i-Aam, on the other hand, is a double storey imposing building, with a partition wall running along its western façade - a structure that separates the entire fort into two.

For many tourists and locals, the Lalbagh Fort is significant not only because it is an important symbol of Mughal rule but because it was one of the last noteworthy Mughal structures to be erected in Bengal prior to the beginning of British rule. What's more, the fact that the Lalbagh Fort has stood the test of time and has continued to be an enduring representation of Bangladesh's rich history means that it's certainly one of the most impressive attractions in Dhaka. If you're thinking about indulging in the chaotic exuberance of Bangladesh's capital city, you'll find a number of flights to Dhaka departing from the UK regularly - so there's really no excuse not to visit the historic Lalbagh Fort and its surrounding attractions.
 

About the Author

Elisha Burberry is a freelance writer who loves her job and the occasional glass of red wine.