OLD CITY Photo's: 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A lane in Sonargaon towards Panama, 1870’s Sonargaon

Photograph of a lane in Sonargaon towards Panam. This print was taken by an unknown photographer in the 1870s and is one of a series of 88 albumen prints in an album entitled 'Views in India and Bangladesh', part of the Temple Collection. The view shows a narrow path through a wood near Sonargaon in Bangladesh.

Old Goaldih Mosque, known as the Puarana Masjid, 1872’s Sonargaon

Photograph of the Goaldih Mosque, known as the Puarana Masjid, Sonargaon in Bangladesh, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by W.Brennand in 1872. This is a general view of the mosque at Sonargaon, in a very ruinous state and largely covered by vegetation. The mosque is described in J. Wise, Notes on Sunargaon, Eastern Bengal (Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. XLIII, part I, Calcutta, 1874), p. 92: 'About a hundred yards to the south [of Abdul Hamid's Mosque] is the oldest mosque in Sonargaon. The residents call it the purana, or old, Goaldih mosque. Its kitabah had fallen out, but had been carefully preserved in the interior. On this stone is inscribed the name of 'Ala-uddin Husain Shah, A.H. 925 (A.D. 1519)'.

Cemetery, Narind, 1870’s Dhaka

Photograph taken by an unknown photographer in the 1870s of the Christian Cemetery at Narind in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The view shows the arched Mughal style gateway to the cemetery on the left and on the right is an elaborate tomb built in the Indo-Gothic style with its pointed archway doors and jali screen windows.

Fac Simile of an Inscription in the Great Kuttra, 1055’s Dhaka

Face Simile of an Inscription in the Great Kuttra, 1055’s Dhaka

This inscription is written in Persian on the walls of the Bara (Great) Katra in Dhaka. It explains that Abu'l-Qasim Tabataba Shuja Husayni Al-Simmani erected the building and the 22 adjoining shops. The profits from these shops would to go towards the cost of repairing the Bara Katra and also provide either free shelter or a caravanserai for travellers and merchants. These conditions were not to be violated or punishment would be forthcoming on the Day of Judgement. The inscription was written in 1055 An Hegira (1645AD) by Su'd al-Din Muhammad Shirazi. This engraving was based on a drawing by James Atkinson, which served as plate 7 in Charles D'Oyly's 'Antiquities of Dacca'.

Ruins of Pagla Pul/Bridge: 5 miles from Dhaka, 1870’s Dhaka

Photograph of the ruined bridge at Paglarpul taken in the 1870s by an unknown photographer. This famous bridge was built in the 17th century when Dhaka was a seat of Mughal Government. The area has a hot, damp tropical climate and is flooded periodically by waters from the Bay of Bengal as well as from the yearly moonsoon. By the 19th century many of the once-elegant buildings in the city were ruined by the action of both the climate and the resultant wildly luxuriant overgrowth of trees and vegetation which lent them a picturesque look and made them popular subjects for artists and photographers.

View looking over a bridge, 1870’s Sonargaon

This print from the Temple Collection was taken by an unknown photographer in the 1870s. Sonargaon is situated in the Dhaka District, Bangladesh near the banks of the Meghna, 15 miles east of Dacca. It was the ancient Muhammadan capital of Eastern Bengal. However, only the ruins of the ancient city of Sonargaon remain and the area is buried in a dense jungle of bamboos and other trees. Waterways were traditionally the most important means of communication in Dacca and when the rivers rise, the whole of the lower part of the district floods and boats were practically the only means of transport for men and goods.

View though the central arch of a bridge over a canal, 1870’s Sonargaon

Photograph of a view through the central arch of a bridge over a canal in Sonargaon. This print from the Temple Collection was taken by an unknown photographer in the 1870s. Sonargaon is situated in the Dhaka District, Bangladesh near the banks of the Meghna, 15 miles east of Dacca. It was the ancient Muhammadan capital of Eastern Bengal. However, only the ruins of the ancient city of Sonargaon remain; the area is buried in a dense jungle of bamboos and other trees. Waterways were traditionally the most important means of communication in Dacca and when the rivers rise, the whole of the lower part of the district floods and boats were practically the only means of transport for men and goods.

Panama City road, 1870’s Sonargaon

Panam road, 1870’s Sonargaon

Photograph of Panam Road in Sonargaon near Dhaka, now in Bangladesh taken in the 1870s by an unknown photographer. Sonargaon was once the capital of Eastern Bengal but in about 1608 Islam Khan, the Governor transferred the capital of the whole province to Dhaka.

The Company’s kut'hi (the East India Company factory), Panama, 1872’s Sonargaon

Photograph of the East India Company factory, Panama, Sonargaon in Bangladesh, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by W. Brennand in 1872. Sonargaon was a noted producer of the celebrated Dhaka muslins. In the mid-17th century the East India Company established factories in the Dhaka district for the trade of muslin. The building in this view is briefly described in J. Wise, Notes on Sunargaon, Eastern Bengal (Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. XLIII, part I, Calcutta, 1874), p. 91: The Company’s kut'hi is a quadrangular two-storeyed, native, brick building, with an arcaded courtyard inside. It was a hired house, and is now occupied by Hindu karmakars, or smiths...' This is a general view of the house, partially obscured by a thatched hut and trees in the foreground.

Old bridge, called Dullalpur pul, Panama, 1872’s Sonargaon. 2732c

Photograph of Dullalpur pul, Painam, Sonargaon, near Dhaka in Bangladesh, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by W. Brennand in 1872. Painam, Panam or Panamnagar is situated in Bangladesh close to the banks of the Meghna River, 15 miles east of Dacca. Panam was perhaps the residence of the early Muslim governors of Eastern Bengal whose capital was at Sonargaon, a thriving port and commercial centre nearby. The city was later a centre of trade in cotton fabrics carried out by the East India Company. The brick bridge in this view is described in J. Wise, Notes on Sunargaon, Eastern Bengal (Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. XLIII, part I, Calcutta, 1874), p. 91: 'Painam, although a most singular village, possesses few ancient buildings. There is, however, a fine Muhammadan bridge of three arches, called the Dallalpur pul, over which the road goes to the Kampani ka kot'hi.'

New Goaldih Mosque, known as Abdul Hamid's Masjid, 1872’s Sonargaon

Photograph of the New Goaldih Mosque, known as Abdul Hamid's Masjid, Sonargaon, in the Dhaka District, Bangladesh, taken by W. Brennand in 1872. The mosque is mentioned in J. Wise, Notes on Sunargaon, Eastern Bengal (Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. XLIII, part I, Calcutta, 1874), p. 92: 'In the division called Goaldih, which consists of dense and impenetrable jungle traversed by a few foot-paths, are two mosques, The first is called Abdul Hamid's Masjid. It is in good preservation, being a comparatively modern structure. Its 'kitabah' bears the date A.H. 1116 (A.D. 1705).' This mosque is a square building with a single central dome, corner towers and entrances on all sides except the qibla wall. It is a good example of the 'enclosed square type' of mosque typical of Bengal.

Ramna Gate to Race Course (now Subrawardy Udyan), 1870’s Dhaka

Photograph of the Ramna Gate to the Race Course, in Dhaka, now capital of Bangladesh taken in the 1870s by an unknown photographer. The view shows a number of elephants being ridden through the gate. The Race Course is now the Subrawardy Udyan, a park in the city and a popular place for recreation.

Mill buildings, Gandharia, 1870’s Dhaka

Photograph of Mill buildings in Gandharia.This print was taken in Gandharia, Dhaka District, Bangladesh by an unknown photographer in the 1870s and is from the Temple collection of photographs.

Christian cemetery, Narinda, 1870’s Dhaka

Photograph of the Christian cemetery at Narinda in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh taken in the 1870s by an unknown photographer. The tombstones are displayed in this view.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Toongee [Tungi], near Dhaka Ruined native bridge piers in foreground(2), 1880’s Tungi

Photograph of Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. The view is at Tungi, of the piers of a ruined bridge and pavilion, on the Buriganga River. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule.

Dhaka or bridge on Mayurpanklin canal, 1870’s Sonargaon

Photograph of a bridge overgrown by vegetation in the Dhaka area, in Bangladesh taken in the 1870s by an unknown photographer . The location of this view is unidentified and the bridge could either be in Dhaka City or alternatively over the Mayurpanklin Canal at Sonargaon, which was the capital of East Bengal until the capital of the whole province was transferred to Dhaka in 1608 by the Governor Islam Khan.

Toongee [Tungi], near Dhaka Ruined native bridge piers in foreground. Recently-built iron girder bridge beyond, 1880’s Tungi

Photograph of Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. The view is at Tungi, of the piers of a ruined native bridge in the foreground with a recently-built iron girder bridge beyond, spanning the Buriganga River. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule.

Old Dhaka College on the left and the old Court Building on the right, 1870’s Dhaka

Photograph of a view the old Dhaka College to the left and the old Court Building to the right taken in the 1870s by an unknown photographer. Both buildings were demolished in 1985. Formerly Dhaka was a Mughal capital and later the headquarters of the Division and District of the same name. Dhaka was famous for centuries for its production by skilled local craftsmen of fine cotton muslins which were tested by passing the finished piece of cloth through a lady's ring. The city is situated on the banks of the Buriganga River and is crossed by a branch of the Dolai Creek.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Fort William, 1600’s Calcutta

Surat was the Mughal Empire’s most important centre for overseas trade, particularly for textiles. It was the first major Asian port city within reach of the ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope. And it was here that the Company’s traders first settled after Sir Thomas Roe’s successful diplomatic mission.

Grain bazaar on the Chipore Road, 1840’s Calcutta

A German-born Calcutta lithographer who took up photography in the late 1840s, Fiebig's views of Calcutta are the earliest extensive photographic documentation of the capital of British India. Produced from paper negatives, his prints were offered for sale in either monochrome or (as here) hand-coloured form.

Eden Gardens, 1860’s Calcutta

Photograph of Eden Garden from 'Views of Calcutta and Barrackpore' taken by Samuel Bourne in the 1860s. View looking across the bridge and lake towards the Burmese pagoda within the Eden Gardens, Calcutta. Emily and Fanny Eden, after whom these gardens were named, were the sisters of the Governor-General Lord Auckland (1836-1842). Emily and Fanny accompanied their brother on a tour 'upcountry', during which Emily made many sketches and watercolours, which were later reproduced, in 1844, as a set of lithographs entitled 'Princes and People of India'.

Village near Calcutta (Garden Reach), 1840’s Calcutta

Little is known of Fiebig’s career beyond his work as a topographical artist and lithographer in Calcutta in the 1840s. In the late 1840s he took up photography and this early hand-coloured print is one of over 500 views of India and Ceylon taken by him in the early years of the following decade. Among this work, some 250 of the photographs relate to Calcutta and form the earliest extensive photographic documentation of the city, made at a time when photography was just starting to supplant the engraving and the lithograph as the dominant medium of visual record.

Ruins of the Tomb of Ghias-ud-din Azam Shah, 1872’s Sonargaon

Photograph of ruins from the Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Azam Shah, Sonargaon, near Dhaka in Bangladesh, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by W. Brennand in 1872. The province of Dhaka was brought under Islamic rule in the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. Sonargaon was the capital of sultans of Bengal from the 13th century until 1608 when Islam Khan, the Mughal Governor, transferred the capital of the whole province to the nearby city of Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh. Ghiyas-ud-din Azam Shah ruled Bengal from 1368 to 1373. His mausoleum at Sonargaon was carved from a single black of hard black basalt and surrounded by a pillared enclosure. The tomb is described in J. Wise, Notes on Sunargaon, Eastern Bengal (Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. XLIII, part I, Calcutta, 1874), pl.VIII: 'This tomb has fallen to pieces. The iron clamps that bound the slabs together have rusted, and the roots of trees have undermined the massive stones. This mausoleum formerly consisted of a ponderous stone which occupied the centre, surrounded by pillars about five feet in height. The stones are all beautifully carved, and the corners of the slabs and the arabesque tracery are as perfect as the day they left the workman's hands. The stones are formed of hard, almost black, basalt...This tomb might be easily repaired, and the cost of doing so would be inconsiderable. There is no old building in Eastern Bengal which gives a better idea of Muhammadan taste than this ruined sepulchre; and there is none, when properly repaired, which would so long defy the ravages of time...'

Friday, February 25, 2011

Tomb and mosque of Khundar Muhammad Yusuf, 1872’s Sonargaon

Photograph of the tomb and mosque of Khundar Muhammad Yusuf, at Sonargaon in Bangladesh, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by W.Brennand in 1872. The province of Dhaka was brought under Islamic rule in the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. Sonargaon was the capital of sultans of Bengal from the 13th century until 1608 when Islam Khan, the Mughal Governor, transferred the capital of the whole province to the nearby city of Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh. In the 18th century the city of Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. In 1858 all the territories held by the East India Company (including Dhaka) were brought under British rule. This is a view of a domed mosque and two tombs with curved, Bengali-style eaves, off to the left. The buildings are described in J. Wise, Notes on Sunargaon, Eastern Bengal (Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. XLIII, part I, Calcutta, 1874), p. 89: '...This latter is called the dargah of Khundar Muhhamad Yusuf. It contains the tombs of the saint, of his father, and of his wife. It consists of two elongated, dome-roofed buildings, each surmounted by two pinnacles covered with or formed of gold...These tombs are destitute of any ornament inside...Close to the tombs is a modern Masjid with a 'kitabah', or inscription, dated A.H. 1112 (A.D. 1700). It was probably erected by the Pir Muhammad Yusuf...'

Iron girder bridge at Toongee [Tungi], near Dhaka, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of a bridge at Tungi in Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule. The photograph offers a view of an iron-girder bridge, spanning the River Buriganga and built shortly before this image was taken.

Suspension bridge at Dhaka, erected in 1830, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule. This view looking along the Buriganga river towards a suspension bridge, with a church tower beyond.

Hindu Temple, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of temples at Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule. The photograph has a view of a temple tower on the banks of the River Buriganga. A corresponding temple alongside it was washed away in 1880. This temple was also nearly collapsing when the photograph was taken. Native boats may be seen on the left of the image.

Near Dhaka, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. This view looks along the Buriganga river bank towards the listing octagonal brick-built tower at the water's edge, with a local boat moored in the foreground. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule.

Mahomed Mosque, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of a mosque at Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule. This is a view looking towards the domes of the mosque, the rest of the building largely concealed by vegetation in the foreground.

Khas Nagar Talao, 1872’s Sonargaon

Photograph of the Khas Nagar Talao, Sonargaon, near Dhaka in Bangladesh, Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by W.Brennand in 1872. The province of Dhaka was brought under Islamic rule in the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. Sonargaon was once the capital of Eastern Bengal from the 13th century until 1608 when Islam Khan, the Governor, transferred the capital of the whole province to the nearby city of Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh. In 1858 all the territories held by the East India Company (including Dhaka) were brought under British rule. Sonargaon is situated near the banks of the Meghna River, 15 miles east of Dacca. Once a thriving port and commercial centre, only the ruins of the ancient city remain; the area is buried in a dense jungle of bamboos and other trees. This is a general view of the tank at Sonargaon.

Tomb and mosque of Panch Pir, 1872’s Sonargaon

Tomb and mosque of Panch Pir, 1872’s Sonargaon.

Photograph of the tomb and mosque of Panch Pir, at Sonargaon near Dhaka in Bangladesh, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by W. Brennand in 1872. The province of Dhaka was brought under Islamic rule in the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. Sonargaon was the capital of sultans of Bengal from the 13th century until 1608 when Islam Khan, the Mughal Governor, transferred the capital of the whole province to the nearby city of Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh. In the 18th century the city of Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. In 1858 all the territories held by the East India Company (including Dhaka) were brought under British rule. The mosque in this view is described in Alexander Cunningham, Report of a tour in Bengal and Bihar in 1879-80 (ASI vol XV, Calcutta, 1882), p. 139: 'These are five small brick tombs arranged in one line on a platform about 4 feet high. Nothing whatever is known about the holy men who are entombed in them. Along the edges of the platform there are some unfinished brick pillars, which look as if they had been intended for the support of a roof, or perhaps only a trellised railing. To the south-east there is a small neglected brick mosque, now fast hastening to ruin.' Although it is not certain who the Panch-Pirs (five Holy men) were, they were venerated in parts of Bengal particularly among poor or lower class village folk who sought asylum under their protection.

Dilkoosha Pleasure Palace, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of the Dilkusha Palace at Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule.This is a general view of the building from the garden of the two-storey palace, built in European neo-classical style, which belonged to the Nawab Ashanullah of Dacca.

Burigonga River, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. View looking along the river Buriganga towards the city of Dhaka situated on the left bank. A Hindu temple tower stands at the water's edge. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule.

Monuments(2), 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of monuments at Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule. Dhaka has many remnants of buildings from its Mughal period. Tradition states that the ruined Lal Bagh Fort in Dhaka was founded in 1678 by Prince Azam Khan, the son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, when he was governor here. It was added to by Shayista Khan, Mughal governor between 1679-1688. The complex contains many structures including a huge mosque and the building called Pari Bibi's Tomb, which is believed to be that of Shayista Khan's favourite daughter, the death of whom is said to have caused construction to be halted, resulting in the Lalbagh remaining incomplete. Its interior follows closely the plan of Mughal mausoleums. Black, grey and white marble was used in its construction. This photograph has a general view with the Bibi Pari Tomb in the distance.

Chawq Bazar, 1880’s Dhaka

Photograph of Dacca (Dhaka) taken in the 1880s, from an album 'Architectural Views of Dacca', containing 13 prints by Johnston and Hoffman. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, became prominent in the 17th century as a provincial capital of the Mughal empire, and was a major centre of trade, particularly in fine muslins. Its history, though largely obscured, is ancient, and it was brought under Islamic rule by the 13th century, first by the Delhi Sultanate then by the independent sultans of Bengal, after which it was taken by the Mughals in 1608. In the 18th century Dhaka was eclipsed by Murshidabad under the Nawabs of Bengal and its population diminished. As the fortunes of the Nawabs declined, the power of the East India Company became a new factor. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858 brought all the territories held by the Company (including Dhaka) under British rule. Dhaka has many remnants of buildings from its Mughal period. This photograph presents a general view looking across the market place in Dhaka. In the centre of the image is an old brass-cannon of native manufacture, found in the Buriganga riverbed. On the left is the chief mosque in the city.

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