20 Fascinating Facts About Dhaka

20 Fascinating Facts About Dhaka

Dhaka, or Dacca, is not only Bangladesh’s capital city but also the country’s economic and ethnic hub. With a population of 17 million people, this industrial, economic, agricultural, political, and administrative center is anything but calm and retiring. Although continually teeming with magnificently chaotic traffic, the sumptuously cultural and heritage-rich terrain does not miss an opportunity to paint a resplendently vivid image in the minds of visitors. Aside from being the center of Bengali culture, Dhaka has a lot of interesting things to offer. Here are some fascinating Dhaka facts.

1. Dhaka is one of the highly populated cities in the world

Asm Dip, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The simplest definition of density is the number of people divided by the quantity of land occupied. When people in Dhaka consider the densest place on the planet, they think of their own metropolis. And Dhaka is ranked first in the UN’s Habitat data, which is collected from national census offices.

This density measurement was based on the administrative city proper, including nearby suburbia. The city is surrounded by the rivers Buriganga, Turag, Dhaleshwari, and Shitalakshya, which are all part of the Bengal Plain. Dhaka has been inhabited since the first millennium BC. The city grew to prominence in the 17th century as the Mughal Empire’s regional capital and commercial powerhouse.

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2. The city has a 2,000-year history

Dhaka (Dacca) is one of the world’s oldest inhabited megacities. Dhaka’s history begins with the presence of urbanized communities in the area that is now dating back to the 7th century CE. Before falling under the dominion of the Hindu Sena dynasty in the 10th century CE, the city region was ruled by the Hindu Gauda Kingdom, Buddhist, and Shaivite Pala Empire.

The Hindu Deva Dynasty governed the city after the Sena Dynasty. Before the entrance of the Mughals in 1608, Dhaka was administered by Turkic and Afghan governors descended from the Delhi Sultanate, followed by the Bengal Sultanate. The city was proto-industrialized and declared the capital of Mughal Bengal as well as the commercial (financial) capital of Mughal India.

Dhaka’s natural riverine port has been documented since the 16th century CE. Because of its strategic riverine location in Bengal, Dhaka became a hub for Eurasian traders such as Armenians, Portuguese, French, Dutch, and British. The busy old city was dubbed “Venice of the East.” Dhaka became the capital of Bangladesh after the country’s independence in 1971.

3. Dhaka’s official language is Bengali

Bengali (Bangla), Bangladesh’s national language, is related to Sanskrit and belongs to the Indo-Aryan group of languages. Bengali, like Pali and other variants of Prakrit in ancient India, arose outside of the influence of the Aryan Brahman society. The Pal rulers of Bengal (8th to 12th century), Buddhists whose religious language was Pali, did not prevent the creation of a colloquial speech known as Gaudiya Prakrit, from which Bengali arose. English, is widely spoken in metropolitan areas and among educated populations.

4. Dhaka is known for its vibrant rickshaw art

Dhaka has earned the moniker “rickshaw capital of the world.” There are at least one million bike rickshaws in this city. While in this city I promise you’ll feel as if you’ve seen that many in just a few hours. The rickshaws, which are brighter than a rainbow, are impossible to miss on the city’s hectic streets. But it’s the illustrated tin rectangles at the back of the rickshaws that initially strike my eye, prompting me to seek out the artists.

5. The National Parliament House of Bangladesh is located in Dhaka

Sd Raihan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The National Parliament House of Bangladesh or Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban, is located in Dhaka. It was constructed by architect Louis Kahn and is one of the world’s largest parliamentary complexes. It houses all of Bangladesh’s parliamentary activities. This structure is an outstanding example of modern architecture being translated into Bengali folk architecture. The National Assembly building, completed in 1982, is not only one of Kahn’s most notable works but also a significant monument to Bangladesh’s government.

6. Cricket is their most popular sport

The history of cricket in India is typically associated with Bombay, but Bengal can also lay claim to a rich tradition, with a match between Europeans and Natives that took place in Dhaka as early as 1876. A number of cricket teams were created first by settlers and subsequently by an indigenous middle class who saw skill in male sports as the best antidote to the colonial accusation of racial inferiority and effeminacy. Cricket grew in popularity when the national side won the ICC Trophy in 1997 and qualified for the Cricket World Cup for the first time in 1999. Although cricket was hampered by British colonists, it spread in the region.

Read also; Top 10 Facts about Dhaka New Market

7. The city has a number of historic landmarks

Farawayman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fatigue often sets in as Dhaka inhabitants go about their daily frantic lives. This 400-year-old (or earlier, according to some historians) city is filled with historic sites such as fortresses, houses, and religious sites. A Dhaka sightseeing tour with family or loved ones can provide some relief over the holidays. This city has over 17 notable landmarks. This accounts for roughly one-third of the tourist attractions listed in this district. Also, around 2000 buildings from the Mughal and British periods can be seen in the old city.

8. Dhaka’s administrative structures have undergone various changes

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent has a long administrative history. This history stretches back numerous centuries. Dhaka’s governmental systems have changed dramatically from being a commerce center during the Mughal Empire to a bustling modern city.

The Mughals were the first to establish efficient governance in this region and also the first intelligent enough to build an administrative structure that included a governor, a judiciary, and a police force. Many prominent buildings in Dhaka were erected during the Mughal era and have now been conserved as cultural heritages.

Lalbag Fort, Ahsan Manzil, and Dhakeshwari Temple are also noteworthy. Following the fall of the Mughal Empire in 1765, the East India Company seized control over the whole subcontinent. The Company control ended in 1947, and Pakistan established a republican constitution in 1956, declaring itself an Islamic Republic.

In 1962, Dhaka (then Dacca) was designated as Pakistan’s second capital. After Dhaka became the capital of East Pakistan, the liberation struggle that resulted in the establishment of an independent Bangladesh began to smolder. Bangladesh became independent in 1971.

9. The city faces a number of challenges

No machine-readable author provided. Soman assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite its historic administrative past, the city today faces numerous issues, including traffic congestion, environmental deterioration, and urban poverty. To restore this city to its former glory, major administrative adjustments are required, reducing bureaucratic complications and making the process more people-friendly and forward-thinking.

10. The city’s cuisine is diverse and delicious

Bangladeshi cuisine is entrenched in tradition and known for its particular flavor, whether savory or sweet. Their staple is bhat, which means boiling rice. The old proverb ‘Machey bhatey Bangali‘ stated that rice and fish are the foundations of Bangladeshi cuisine, and the proverb ‘Gola bhora dhan ar pukur bhora mach‘ said that both are abundant in Dhaka.

While the sayings may be true, they overlook the reality that a wide variety of green vegetables, or shak, as well as lentils and a variety of gourds, are a vital and diversified component of Bangladeshi rural and urban diet. It is also true that mutton, beef, duck, and chicken, preferably free-range fowl, are common and necessary components of Bangladeshi cuisine.

11. Dhaka is home to one of the largest shopping malls in South Asia

Adnan Islam, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bashundhara City is the largest shopping mall in South Asia, located in Dhaka. It is located near Karwan Bazar on Panthapath in Dhaka. Bashundhara City is 21 stories tall, with the first 8 serving as a mall and the remaining floors serving as the Bashundhara Group’s corporate headquarters. The mall features 2,500 retail stores and cafeterias, as well as a large subterranean gymnasium, a multiplex movie theater, a top-floor food court, and an indoor amusement park. The completely air-conditioned commercial complex with rooftop gardens is seen as a modern icon of Dhaka’s burgeoning city.

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12. Its currency is one of the worst in Asia

The Bangladesh currency’s decline in foreign exchange reserves for rising import payments has led to the taka being one of the worst-performing currencies in South Asia over the last year. On October 10, the local currency was worth Tk 107.5 per US dollar, a decrease of 25.6% over the previous year. India manages its financial condition better than Bangladesh, despite having similar economic statistics such as per capita income, proportionate GDP, and equivalent exports and imports. 

13. Dhaka is a major economic hub in Bangladesh

Pinu Rahman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bangladesh has one of the world’s lowest labor rates, fueling a rising industrial base led by the RMG industry. It is, nevertheless, well-positioned to diversify its exports and advance up the value chain. There are also significant pharmaceutical, footwear, and agricultural-processing sectors in the country. Construction, information and communication technology (ICT) and business process outsourcing, light engineering, shipbuilding, leather products, jute products, and ceramic items are also key sectors. Dhaka is Bangladesh’s main financial, political, and cultural center.

14. The Sadarghat River Port in Dhaka is one of the largest river ports in the world

The Sadarghat Launch Terminal, packed with cargo boats and riverboat taxis, is the primary port of Bangladesh’s capital city Dhaka, and one of the busiest river ports in the world. It’s noisy, dirty, and chaotic, but the river port of Sadarghat is Dhaka’s lifeblood.

The Launch Terminal, which is located on the banks of the Buriganga River and is one of the world’s largest river ports, is the primary port of Bangladesh’s dynamic capital city, with tens of thousands of passengers and tons of goods passing through its docks every day. Every day, over 200 large and small passenger launches four-deck-high boat-like vehicles depart and arrive at the terminal, connecting Dhaka to its southern destinations: Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali, and Delta islands.

15. Dhaka’s unofficial national drink is tea

Photo by Olga Mironova from Pexels

For Dhakaites, ‘cha’ is more than just a cup of tea to start the day; the thick sweet liquid is an essential element of daily life. Bengalis are noted for their affinity for extended discussions, which is complemented by their affinity for tea. What was once thought to be a therapeutic drink is now appreciated as an energizing and relaxing beverage all over the world. Tea time is an opportunity to slow down, take a step back, and appreciate Dhaka’s surroundings.

16. Dhaka is home to a plethora of educational institutes

Dhaka is a major provider of formalized education possibilities in Bangladesh, with billions of students receiving education through the city’s official education facilities. As a semi-formal education option, Dhaka city has various cultural learning facilities such as art schools, sports academies, and specialized departments within universities( most notably Dhaka University) and colleges.

Many public libraries, such as the Bangladesh National Library, Sufia Kamal National Public Library, Central Public Library, and others, provide inclusive learning opportunities to individuals of all ages. Bisshaw Shahitto Kendro’s mobile library gives youngsters with equal access. Around 20 museums in the city teach about art, national history, and traditions.

Read also; Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Dhaka University Central Mosque

17. Dhaka is the city of mosques

Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Because of its Islamic architecture and riverfront on the Buriganga (Old Ganges), Dhaka has been dubbed the City of Mosques and the Venice of the East. Both the nine-dome mosque on the western side of Thakur Dighi and the magnificent 10-dome mosque in adjacent Krishnanagar are excellent reflections of the minimally ornamented modesty of original masterpieces’ simplicity of design and brilliance of build. Today, the neighborhood is believed to have over 300 mosques, which, while seemingly unnecessary in the sparsely populated area, raises doubts regarding the number of original mosques for what appears to have been a small original Muslim community.

18. Dhaka has a number of beautiful parks and recreational areas

Dhaka is one of the world’s metacities, which means that more than two crore people dwell in a very tiny space. It is hardly an exaggeration to suggest that Bangladesh is heavily reliant on Dhaka. Although faced with a number of challenges Dhaka is a city of gardens. After a week of heavy workloads, both the mind and the body crave some fresh air on weekends. And if it’s a beautiful city park, the entire day will be a success in Dhaka. Some of Dhaka City Corporation’s most attractive parks are still dedicated to reviving the exhausted minds of its residents. Let’s visit some beautiful public parks in Dhaka and spend some quality time there. some of the must-visit parks include Ramna Park, Botanical Garden, Park Surrounding Dhanmondi Lake, and Chandrima Udyan among others.

19. The city was named the third least habitable city in the world

Aashaa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dhaka isn’t particularly attractive. In fact, it was recognized as the third least habitable city in the world in 2019[The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index 2019]. This was not surprising, especially for Dhaka natives who know what it’s like to live in this metropolis. The daily average commute takes hours for routes shorter than 10km under cloudy, very polluted skies, topped off with dust clouds reminiscent of a desert climate in an atmosphere where humidity is at 81%.

20. Dhaka has a growing film industry known as ‘Dhallywood’

Although there is no paperwork to back this up, it has been reported that the cinema industry in Bangladesh was founded by a touring theater group owned by John Stevens. He probably visited Bangladesh in 1896 and 1897 to present the country’s first motion movies. However, the firm industry in Bangladesh most likely began with the establishment of the Bredford Bioscope Company, which began exhibiting pictures on April 24, 1898. Between 1913 and 1914, a permanent cinema named the Picture House opened, and the film industry in Bangladesh and the creation of Dhallywood became unstoppable.

Dhaka is Bangladesh’s most modern city. This means that all new technology and breakthroughs are first introduced to Dhaka residents. Not only that, but these techniques are better maintained in the capital.