M H Haider

7 ways to enjoy Eid at your ancestral home as a grownup

Eid is a time to break free, to an extent, and to grab the opportunities of sheer fun and amusement your gram er bari offers.

2w ago

The origins of haleem

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!

3w ago

Usual suspects and the debatable: What are your favourite iftar items?

The dining table during iftar is often crowded with delicacies of all sorts. The assortment includes traditional iftar items and not-so-traditional items which may even border on eccentricity that leaves others questioning about your taste (and sanity). Call it "iftar cuisine" if you like, as an iftar spread is a whole different genre of food altogether!

3w ago

The Dhaka Gate Cannon: Secrets of Bibi Mariam

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.

1m ago

How did Chawk Bazar's iftar market become so famous?

This hints towards a monopoly Chawk Bazar enjoyed in the olden times. 

1m ago

Poneer with tea: An old Dhaka favourite

Poneer-flavoured tea? How about bits or slices of poneer in your tea? The concept may not be all that surprising for many people these days, as just a few years ago various teashops and brands tried to popularise this almost as a novelty.

1m ago

Old traditions of Ramadan moon sighting

People used to gather at Ahsan Manzil, Boro Katra, Choto Katra, and Hussaini Dalan to spot the crescent moon.

1m ago

Why every child deserves a cousin like Feluda!

Discover the Enduring Legacy of Feluda: Satyajit Ray's beloved detective series continues to enchant audiences, with its charismatic protagonist, Felu, and his youthful sidekick Topshey. Drawing parallels to Sherlock Holmes, Feluda's adventures inspire curiosity and admiration, much like real-life figures such as the author's cousin, Russell. Despite societal misgivings, Russell, like Feluda, nurtured a thirst for knowledge and exploration. Through literature and personal anecdotes, the article celebrates the timeless appeal of childhood heroes, advocating for every child to have their own Feluda-like mentor.

2m ago
February 1, 2024
February 1, 2024

Why was Bahadur Shah Park locally called Anta Ghar er Maidan?

Why, though? How did this odd name come about?

January 28, 2024
January 28, 2024

Where did the word ‘nihari’ come from?

The stew is a wholesome meal that combines the best in a bowl – a warm soup, spices, meat and bone marrow make up for an amazing comfort food, especially during winter.

January 25, 2024
January 25, 2024

Dhaka Gate: Old monument, new life

This old image portraying Dhaka Gate has a rustic vibe — with the grass and pathway and the elephants.

January 14, 2024
January 14, 2024

The royal family tree of Shaista Khan

Among all his accomplishments and stories -- the buildings that are attributed to his era, long years of service as a subahdar, the success of keeping rice prices low -- one curious footnote would be his royal lineage.

January 11, 2024
January 11, 2024

The beginning of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban

It was on 15 February 1982 that the National Parliament Building housed its first session. 

January 11, 2024
January 11, 2024

Remembering Shaheed Shafi Imam Rumi: Memories of a brother

Many of us already know of Shaheed Shafi Imam Rumi as a valiant freedom fighter through Ekattorer Dinguli, penned down by his illustrious mother Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam. In a humble attempt to understand him more intimately, we recently interviewed his brother, Saif Imam Jami. Here, we present, a lesser-known side of the Rumi saga: the memories of a brother.

December 14, 2023
December 14, 2023

Chawk Bazar of the olden times

From the olden times to the present day, much has changed, but Chawk Bazar continues to be one of the commercial hubs of the capital.   

December 3, 2023
December 3, 2023

Ahsan Manzil without the dome?

To paint a picture of what this majestic building looked like just after the catastrophe, a line from an eyewitness account may be apt here.

November 26, 2023
November 26, 2023

Dhaka's lost bridges

To illustrate, the visual featured here -- taken from the book Glimpses of Old Dhaka by Syed Muhammed Taifoor (Second edition, 1956) -- has the caption, "Ruined bridge at Tantibazar-Nowabpur Road".   

November 23, 2023
November 23, 2023

The Wonder of Saat Gombuj Masjid

If you went to the Mohammadpur area, you would come across a splendid Mughal-era mosque: Saat Gombuj Masjid, or Seven-domed Mosque.

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