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.