Captivating Historical Places in Bangladesh

The historical shreds of evidence found in Bangladesh have aged up to the Stone Age. Many traces account for this country's Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic reigns. Three major world heritage sites, namely Bagerhat- The mosque city Paharpur- the ruins of the Buddhist vihara; and Sundarbans- are located in Bangladesh. Despite these three sites, seven sites were also included in the tentative list. Here is a list of some fascinating historical places in Bangladesh.

1. Lalbagh Fort

The Mughals built Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka in the 17th century. It is one of the oldest architectural structures in Bangladesh and was constructed by Subandar Muhammad Azam Sha, the son of Aurangzeb. This fort was built as the official residence of the governor of the Mughal province and consisted of three frameworks - Diwan-I-Azam, A Mosque, and a tomb of Bibi Pari. This fort is situated near the banks of the river Buriganga and has tunnels underneath leading to the other side of the river. During India's first war of independence, many soldiers tried to escape through this and died. Soon after that terrific incident, the path was sealed.

• The South Gate, Bibi Pari Tomb, and Lal Bagh Mosque are significant sites to visit.
• Can experience a Boat ride on the Buriganga River
• Rickshaw ride through discontinued and narrowest streets
• Lal Bagh Fort is open throughout the year except Sundays.

2. Ahsan Manzil

This historical epitome of Mughal architecture is situated at Kumartoli by the banks of Buriganga. Initially, it was Sheikh Inayat Ullah's vacation house. After his death, the land was handed over to the French traders, who dug a pond for fresh water in front of the building. Later, Khwaja Alimullah bought the property and built a mosque in the compound. The manzil is named after the grandson of Kwaja Alimullah. The palace was made up of red sandstone, and the architecture and decorations are eye-catching.

• Major attractions and activities include traditional outdoor trips, archaeological exploration, photography, exploring local flavors, hiking, boating, and sightseeing.
• Ahsan Manzil is open except on Thursdays.

3. Panam City

Panam city (Panam Nagar), also known as the lost city, is situated in the Sonargaon of Narayanganj. During the 15th century, Issa Khan ruled Sonargaon, and Panam City was the most attractive city among all the three towns in Sonargaon. We can see the beauty of Mughal and British architecture here. Mughal monuments, including Sonakanda River fort, Panch Pir Mazar Shrine, Ibrahim's and Abdul Hamid's mosque, and British architectural preservations like Ananda Mohan Piddar house and other street-front houses can be seen in this city.

• Places to visit in Panam City include Kashinath Bhavan, Nilkuti, Pankhiraj Canal, Choudhuribari Pond, Sri Sri Sarvajanin Durga Temple, and Lalit Shadhu Temple.
• The best time to visit is between late November and early March.

4. Bagerhat

Bagerhat, the city of Bangladesh's mosque, is historically known as Khilafatabad. Approximately 360 mosques are in Bagerhat, most built in the 15th century during the Bengal Sultanate Reign. Ulugh Khan Jahan was the governor during the construction of these mosques. Shat Gambuj Mosque is the largest mosque in Bangladesh and is located at Bagerhat. This unique mosque city was also placed on the World Heritage Site list by UNESCO.

• Shat Gambuj Mosque, Tomb of Khan Jahan Ali, Bagerhat Museum, etc are significant places to visit.
• Sundarbans, Kuakata Beach, 1971- Genocide Torture &Archive Museum, etc., are the main attractions of Bagerhat.
• Winter (November- February) is a suitable time to visit.

5. Somapura Mahavihara

Paharpur Buddhist Vihara (Somapura Mahavihara) is a typical example of pre-Islamic architecture built by the second Pala king Dharmapala. This Mahavihara has a quadrangular structure with a Buddhist stupa in the center. There were 177 cells, and the monks used these rooms for accommodation and meditation. This was an important intellectual center for Dharmic traditions such as Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains. In 1985, UNESCO designated Somapura Mahavihara as the World Heritage Site.

• Archaeological exploration in Somapura Mahavihara, an Eco tour to Sundarbans National Park, Photography, Exploring the flavors, etc, are significant activities that can be done.
• Somapura Mahavihara is open all days except on Sunday.

6. Mahasthangarh

Mahasthangarh in Bogra district is Bangladesh's oldest and most significant historical place. This ancient city once the capital of Maurya, Gupta, and Sen also consists of the ruins of Pundranagara. Mahasthan is a place with excellent sanctity and garh means fort.

• Can visit heritage sites Mahasthangarh, Paharpur, and Govinda Bita Hindu Temple
• Explore the ruins of Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur.
• Can explore the Somapura Mahavihara Museum and Paharpur Museum.
• November-Marchis the best time to visit.

Is Bangladesh a Tourist-Friendly Country?

Yes and No! Bangladesh has a unique cultural heritage that may appeal to tourists. This is the right place for travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and historical sites. It is a safe country to visit, but certain regions are not recommended for travel because of uncertain security. Since the country has a tumultuous history and civil and political unrest is common, you can seek your government's travel advisories for Bangladesh before traveling.