Glorious past of the port city

Enthusiastic visitors at the exhibition. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

“…..like Christopher Columbus who 'discovered' America while in search of India, the British founded their imperial capital of Calcutta by losing their way en route to Chittagong..” This line was quoted from the book “Do and Die, the Chittagong uprising”, written by Manini Chatterjee.
The quotation was used in the introduction of the section- -' Colonial Chittagong period', one of the five sections of the event "Chirayato Chattagram Prodarshani," (Eternal Chittagong Exhibition) organised by The Daily Star as part of its "Odommo Chattagram"(Indomitable Chittagong) festival.
The exhibition showcases the historical significance of Chittagong during five periods -- pre-historic period, Harikela of the Pre-Medieval period, Chatigram-Chatigaon of the Sultanate period, Mughal Chatgaon-Islamabad period and Colonial Chittagong period.
Shaibal Chowdhury, a student of class eight, came to the exhibition with his father. He was excited to learn about the historical background of different architectural structures of Chittagong constructed during the colonial period including Central Railway Building, Mirzar Pool and Chittagong Court Building.
Ananya Paul, a student of class seven, thanked The Daily Star for the opportunity to broaden her knowledge about the glorious past of Chittagong.
“We did not know that the name of Andarkilla hill is 'Rangmahal Pahar' and the name of the hill 'Fairy's Hill' where Chittagong court building is located,” she said.
Dr. Shamsul Hossain, the planner and designer of the event, pointed out the significance of the historical incidents of Chittagong.
In particular the young generation will benefit from a visit to the exhibition as they could draw pride from the glorious past of Chittagong, he said, adding that the exhibition will be beneficial not only for the young generation but also for the broader society who want to know more about their roots.
Masud Bakul, an organiser of 'Chittagong Youth Festival', an event of “Odommo Chattagram” Festival, said the young visitors were very enthusiastic to know about Chittagong's heritage. They were also excited to kow more about the ruins of different structures in Chittagong, constructed at different periods of history, he said.
A total of 77 photographs, an artwork depicting the lifestyle of the people of Chittagong in the pre-historic period, a model of a Mughal tomb and a painting on Karnaphuli battle of 1666 between Mughals and Arakans are on display.
Of the photographs on display, 18 are of various types of copper plates, vases and coins of Harikela periods; 20 are of tombs and mosques, among other things, of the Sultanate era including the gateway to the tomb of Badr Auliya, the arch of Mihrab found in the ruins of Chuti Khan Masjid, 'dochala' gateway to the entrance into the 'shaan' of Hammadyar Masjid, recently renovated interiors of the Fakirer Masjid and Buddha postures of Abhaya Mudra ; 25 of mosques, tombs and ruins of different structures of Mughal period including gateway of Haji Masjid, Kadam Mubarak Masjid, the tomb of Mullah Miskin, Shahjahani tomb, Wali Khan's Mosque, Posterpar Masjid, Bagh Hamza Tomb and Ruins at Rangmahal Hill and 14 are of different structures of the colonial period including the Central Railway Building, Mirzar Dighi, Chittagong Court Building, Darul Adalat, Chittagong General Hospital and the factory and warehouse.
There is also a map on the communication system of Chittagong in Sultanate and Mughal periods that is generating interest amongst the visitors.
The exhibition that started on Friday will remain open till April 5 from 10 am to 9 pm.