Dhaka

Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh.

It serves as a vital cultural, economic, and scientific hub in Eastern South Asia. The city is situated on the Ganges Delta. It is bounded by several major rivers, including the Buriganga, Turag, Dhaleshwari, and Shitalakshya. Dhaka is the largest Bengali-speaking city in the world. It is also recognized as the most densely populated built-up urban area on Earth. With an estimated population of 36.6 million, it is the second largest city in the world by population.

The city's economic power is immense. Dhaka accounts for 35% of the entire economy of Bangladesh. It ranks 55th in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Dhaka Stock Exchange is a major financial center with over 750 listed companies. The city is a gamma+ global city. It hosts over 50 diplomatic missions. It also serves as the headquarters for several international organizations. These include BIMSTEC, CIRDAP, and the International Jute Study Group. As the seat of the Bangladeshi government, it is the center of political life.

The history of Dhaka reaches back to the first millennium. The region was once part of the ancient district of Bikrampur. It was later part of the historic district of Sonargaon. Dhaka became a major provincial capital under the Mughal Empire. This happened during the 17th century. The Mughals named the city Jahangirnagar to honor Emperor Jahangir.

During this era, the city was a center for the muslin trade. Muslin is a very fine cotton fabric. This trade made Dhaka one of the most prosperous cities in the world. The Mughal elite included princes and the sons of emperors. The city was even called the "Venice of the East."

Many grand structures were built during the Mughal period. The Mughals decorated the city with gardens, tombs, mosques, and forts.

One famous site is the Lalbagh Fort. Construction began in 1678 under Prince Azam Shah. However, the fort remained unfinished after the death of his daughter, Pari Bibi. The city also featured large caravanserais, which were inns for travelers. Examples include the Bara Katra and Choto Katra.

These structures helped support the massive trade flowing through the Port of Dhaka.

British rule brought significant changes to the city's infrastructure. The British introduced electricity, railways, and a modern water supply. They also brought cinemas and Western-style universities.

Dhaka became the capital of the Eastern Bengal and Assam province after 1905.

Following the end of British rule in 1947, it became the capital of East Pakistan. In 1962, it was declared the legislative capital of Pakistan. After the Liberation War in 1971, it became the capital of the independent nation of Bangladesh. In 2008, the city celebrated 400 years as a municipal city.

Today, Dhaka is a center of incredible cultural diversity. The city is famous for its culinary heritage, including Kacchi Biryani.

Its culture is represented by colorful rickshaws and unique rickshaw art. UNESCO has recognized the annual Bengali New Year parade, Jamdani saris, and rickshaw art as intangible cultural heritage. The city's architecture shows its long history. It contains 2,000 buildings from the Mughal and British periods. However, the most prominent landmark is the modernist Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

This is the National Parliament House.

The city's growth has been rapid and massive. The population and social diversity have increased tremendously since it became a modern capital. This growth is visible in the dense skyline of areas like Motijheel.

The city is also one of the most densely industrialized regions in the country. While it is a hub of progress, it faces challenges like pollution.

Despite these challenges, Dhaka remains a vital engine for the entire region.