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

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

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

Dhaka or bridge on Mayurpanklin canal, 1870’s Sonargaon

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

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

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

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

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.