My father was an army officer. He had fought in the eastern front during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and had been to Dhaka. Growing up as a child, I heard him speak vividly about the vibrant city which in its hey days was the hub of silk & muslin trade around the world. Therefore, I was deeply fascinated about the city since my school days.

My hectic schedule often makes me feel bored and tired. To get over my mundane routine, I went for a trip to Dhaka last year. To ensure a smooth, hassle free journey, I booked my flight tickets as well as hotel online. Keeping the connectivity factor in my, I opted for a hotel based in the Uttara area which is well connected with both the airport as well as the railway station.

I reached Dhaka from Kuwait by the Kuwait Airlines during the afternoon. Initially, the city seemed too noisy. But sightseeing the major landmarks around the city changed my perception about Bangladesh’s capital. Here are some of the major places that I visited during my trip to Dhaka: -
 

Kuwait Airlines | Image Resource : airpowercarriers.org

 National Parliament House

 This is the house of Bangladesh’s Parliament. Covering an area of 200 acres, it was designed by the well-known architect Louis Kahn. The landmark is surrounded by lawns, a lake and homes of the MPs. The exterior part of the Parliament House has a unique simplicity. The building is surrounded by a lake from three sides and showcases the architect’s dexterous use of water to highlight the riverine beauty of the country. I visited the area located to the north of the building, the Crescent Lake and Chandrima Uddan. Because of its unique architecture, the assembly building was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1989.

Lalbag Fort

Lal Bagh is a fortress which was left in an incomplete state. Located on the banks of the Buriganga river, its construction was started by Muhammad Azam Shah, who was the governor of Bengal and son of Aurangzeb. Shaista Khan, who succeeded him however did not complete the building. One of the major attractions within the fort are the Diwani-i-Aam which was the residence of the governor of Bengal. The Hammamkhana or bath house had special arrangements for water heating.

The tomb of Bibi Pari, Shaista Khan’s daughter is located in the centre of the fort. It is located within a central square room and is covered with a false octagonal dome with a brass plate wrapping. There is a three-domed mosque within the fort.
 

Lalbag Fort | Image Resource : wikimedia.org

Liberation War Museum

Located in the heart of Mirpur, the museum was inaugurated in 1996. The six galleries within the museum show the struggle for freedom by Bangladeshi people during colonial rule as well as under Pakistani rule and the nine month of Liberation which lead to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. I also visited the Jalladkhana which was the site where Bengali intellectuals were killed on 14th December 1971 during the war of independence.