A lane in Sonargaon towards Panama, 1870’s Sonargaon

A lane in Sonargaon towards Panama, 1870’s Sonargaon

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

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

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

Cemetery, Narind, 1870’s Dhaka

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

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

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

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

View looking over a bridge, 1870’s Sonargaon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mill buildings, Gandharia, 1870’s Dhaka

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

Christian cemetery, Narinda, 1870’s Dhaka

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.