A green respite for Old Dhaka
After a year-long renovation work, the historic Bahadur Shah Park opened to public yesterday.
The work was done under a "park modernisation project" of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Mayor Sayeed Khokon inaugurated the park.
With the facelift, the park will offer a much-needed green respite to the residents of Old Dhaka, said city officials.
Now, around 500 trees adorn the park while a 12-feet walkway and exercise equipment at different points have been set up under the Tk 6 crore project, they added.
Besides, four-foot deep drain has been constructed to improve the park's drainage system. Earlier, the park used to remain submerged due to rain. DSCC also spruced up the monuments inside the park, which will be lit up in the evening. There are also benches, a fountain, and two restrooms inside the park.
Every day, more than 2,000 people visit the area.
During the inauguration event, Mayor Khokon urged residents to look after the park and keep it clean. "We had to fight with different influential quarters to keep parks and playgrounds free from encroachers," he said.
HISTORY OF THE PARK
Enriched with wonderful architectural features, the park is located in Laxmibazar, near Jagannath University.
During the first half of the 19th century, Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani, the first Nawab of Dhaka recognised by the British rulers, took the initiative to establish it.
History says, from the time of its construction till 1957, the park was known as "Victoria Park", named after Queen Victoria. In 1957, the park was renamed after the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II.
Right before establishing this park, the Armenians founded a club for them, known as "Anta Ghar" where they used to play indoor games. The club was later demolished by the English. According to many, there was an open place beside the club known as "Anta Gharer Maidan".
In 1857, during the Sepoy Mutiny against colonial rulers, English soldiers executed many mutineers by hanging them from different trees of the place.
A monument in memory of the sepoys has been erected at the park.
Comments