- Also spelled:
- Dacca
Dhaka
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What is Dhaka?
Dhaka is the capital and most populous city of Bangladesh, located north of the Buriganga River. Its origins trace back to the 1st millennium CE, but it rose to prominence in the 17th century as the capital of the Muslim Mughal dynasty of Bengal province. Dhaka was a flourishing sea trade center, attracting European traders. After a period of decline, it became the capital of East Bengal in 1947 and the capital of Bangladesh in 1971. Today, Dhaka is one of the most densely industrialized regions in the country, known for its jute processing, manufacturing, and garment industry.
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Where is Dhaka located?
Dhaka, the capital and most populous city of Bangladesh, is in the south-central part of the country. It sits just north of the Buriganga River, a channel of the Dhaleswari River. Dhaka is one of the largest metropolises in South Asia. The area around Dhaka is a level plain bounded by the Meghna, Padma (Ganges), and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers and is crossed by a network of streams and rivers, including the Dhaleswari, Buriganga, and Sitalakhya. Dhaka is located in the flood basin of the Meghna River.
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Why is Dhaka important to Bangladesh?
Dhaka is the capital and most populous city of Bangladesh, holding immense importance for the nation. It serves as the country's industrial and economic hub, with major industries such as jute processing, chemical manufacturing, and garment production. Dhaka is also a center for education, hosting prominent universities, a nuclear-science training center, the national library, a museum, and the national art gallery. Its historical significance is evident in its Mughal-era buildings like Lal Bagh Fort. Dhaka's cultural institutions, such as the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the Bangladesh National Museum, preserve and promote the country's heritage.
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What are some major landmarks or attractions in Dhaka?
Dhaka, the national capital of Bangladesh, has grown into a densely industrialized region with a rich history dating back to the 1st millennium CE. Dhaka is home to several universities, a nuclear-science training and research center, the national library, a museum, and the national art gallery.
Historical landmarks include Lal Bagh fort, the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid), Curzon Hall, the National Assembly Building (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban), Bara Katra, Chhota Katra, and Husayni Dalan. The Dhaka Art Summit has also helped to increase the prominence of Bangladeshi art on the world stage.
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How has Dhaka grown and changed over time?
Dhaka's history dates back to the 1st millennium CE, but it rose to prominence in the 17th century as the Mughal capital of Bengal. It became a flourishing sea trade center, attracting European traders. After a period of decline, Dhaka was made the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam province in the early 20th century and later became the capital of East Bengal and then East Pakistan.
Since becoming the capital, Dhaka's population, area, and socioeconomic diversity have grown tremendously. Dhaka, with its river port of Narayanganj, is now one of Bangladesh's most densely industrialized regions. Traditional products include muslin, silk, and jewelry, while major industries include jute processing, chemicals, and electronics. Dhaka is also a center for education, with several universities and research institutions.
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What challenges does Dhaka face as a modern city?
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and a large South Asian metropolis, faces significant challenges as a modern city. Climate change is a major concern because rising sea levels threaten to submerge coastal areas. Increasingly intense cyclones and storm surges endanger millions.
Seasonal flooding and river erosion are expected to worsen due to erratic rainfall and melting Himalayan glaciers, which impacts agriculture, fisheries and rural livelihoods. Dhaka is one of the most densely industrialized regions in the country. A strong export-oriented garment industry emerged in the late 20th century.
Although Bangladesh is implementing measures such as building cyclone shelters and improving early warning systems, its limited infrastructure and resources make long-term climate adaptation an ongoing struggle.
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Dhaka, city and capital of Bangladesh. It is located just north of the Buriganga River, a channel of the Dhaleswari River, in the south-central part of the country. Dhaka is Bangladesh’s most populous city and is one of the largest metropolises in South Asia. Pop. (2001) city, 5,333,571; metro. area, 9,672,763; (2011) city, 7,033,075; metro. area, 14,543,124.
History
Dhaka’s name is said to refer to the dhak tree, once common in the area, or to Dhakeshwari (“The Hidden Goddess”), whose shrine is located in the western part of the city. Although the city’s history can be traced to the 1st millennium ce, the city did not rise to prominence until the 17th century, when it served as the capital of the Muslim Mughal dynasty of Bengal province (1608–39 and 1660–1704). It was the centre of a flourishing sea trade, attracting English, French, Armenian, Portuguese, and Dutch traders.
Historic buildings of the Muslim period include Lal Bagh fort (1678) and its tomb of Bibi Pari (died 1684), wife of a governor of Bengal; the Bara Katra (great caravansary, a building historically used for sheltering caravans and other travelers; 1664); the Chhota Katra (small caravansary; 1663); and Husayni Dalan (a religious monument of the Shīʿite branch of Islam; 1642). Other 17th-century buildings include the Hindu Dhakeshwari temple and Tejgaon church, built by the Portuguese.
With the removal of the provincial capital to Murshidabad (1704) and the weakening of the muslin industry, Dhaka entered a period of decline. It passed under British control in 1765 and was constituted a municipality in 1864, but it continued to lose prominence until it was designated the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam province (1905–12). During the early 20th century Dhaka served as a commercial centre and seat of learning. Following the end of British rule, when the region became a part of Pakistan, it was named the capital of East Bengal province (1947) and of East Pakistan (1956). Dhaka suffered heavy damage during the war of independence in 1971 but emerged as the capital of Bangladesh.
The contemporary city
Since its establishment as the capital city, the population, area, and social and economic diversity of Dhaka have grown tremendously. Together with its river port of Narayanganj, 10 miles (16 km) to the south, Dhaka now is one of the most densely industrialized regions in the country. Traditional products include jamdani (fine-quality muslin), embroidery, silk, and jewelry. Among the city’s major industries are jute processing and the manufacture of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather goods, ceramics, and electronics products. A strong export-oriented garment industry emerged in the late 20th century.
The area around Dhaka consists of a level plain bounded by the Meghna, Padma (Ganges [Ganga]), and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers. The plain is crossed by a network of streams and rivers, the chief being the Dhaleswari, Buriganga, and Sitalakhya. Important crops are rice, jute, sugarcane, and oilseeds; there is also some cattle farming.
The city contains several universities, among which the University of Dhaka (1921), the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (1962), and Jahangirnagar University (1970) are prominent. Dhaka is also home to numerous government colleges, a nuclear-science training and research centre, the national library, a museum, and the national art gallery. In addition, the area includes the site of the ancient city of Vikramapura, former capital of the Pala rulers of Bengal (8th–12th century). Among Dhaka’s more recent buildings of note are the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid), built in the Mughal architectural style in the early 19th century with later renovations; Curzon Hall at the University of Dhaka, erected at the beginning of the 20th century, combining Mughal and European influences; and the National Assembly Building (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban), designed by architect Louis I. Kahn and completed in 1982.
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