The building located at 25 Bangshal Road is a treasure trove of history. On one of the floors of the apartment, there are numerous antiques and artefacts that give us a sneak peek into the city’s history. Not directly related to political histories we read in textbooks, but something more intimate -- glimpses of family and social life in Dhaka of the bygone era.
The second-hand book market is a buoyant one and there are places in Dhaka, other than Nilkhet, where your desire to buy books meets affordability. With a keen eye and some bargaining skills, it is possible to make a deal at these places.
There is an undeniable charm associated with glass bangles, particularly during events like Pahela Baishakh. Traditionally sold by churiwalis, the craze for these colourful glass bangles died down in recent years as fashion changed.
“We hardly hear people talking about how lucky we are to be an independent nation. How incredible it is that we earned our freedom. Without understanding the trauma and struggles we endured to earn our freedom, the new generation cannot truly appreciate it.”
As Dhaka continues to tackle the woes of summer heat, the business of selling air conditioners, stand fans, table fans, and coolers has seen an obvious rise.
Certain neighbourhoods in Dhaka have that one spot where people gather to just sit back and relax. For Mirpur, it’s the frequently discussed street referred to as “Love Road”.
Saat Gombuj Mosque, or the seven-domed mosque, is located in Mohammadpur.
It all started at the hands of one Kasim Uddin, who used to sell “khichuri” on a van at the gate of Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall in the ‘90s.
This place holds a lot of historical significance because of its age and also because once upon a time the rulers of Dhaka used to offer Eid prayers here.
On a sunny afternoon in October 1993, my mother took me to visit the campus of St Joseph Higher Secondary School, nestled among large trees on a relatively quiet (at least back then) road of Asad Avenue in Mohammadpur.
Eid shopping has already begun in full swing and shoes are one of the indispensable items on your want list.
Two-thirds of the Holy Month is over, and food prices are at an all-time high. Despite strict surveillance by magistrates to control price hikes and adulteration of food, this Ramadan, like always, traders are doing everything against the law.
When was the last time you spent an entire month of Ramadan without eating haleem at least once? This food has indeed survived the test of time!
Night-time shopping has a certain charm to it, almost a like starry-eyed rebellion. Come Ramadan, staying out late into the wee hours has almost become a trend for Dhakaites.
Dhaka North’s newest venture is painting murals on flyovers, dustbin depots, free walls and spaces to make city streets look vibrant and colourful.
Haque added, “Instead of bulldozing history, they could have renovated and preserved the school and turned it into a Hall of Fame for all its illustrious alumni. It could have been a library for children of the city schools to come and learn about the country’s famous sons.”
Around a couple of months ago, the age-old Dhaka Gate near Doyel Chattar was unveiled to the public upon its renovation. If you visit the Gate, now in renewed glory, you are bound to see an imposing artefact in its premises -- a cannon called Bibi Mariam.
This hints towards a monopoly Chawk Bazar enjoyed in the olden times.