Biblography of Sonargaon

Bibliography James Taylor, A Sketch of the Topography and Statistics of Dacca, London 1840; Dhaka Commissioner's letter dated 2 may, 1844, Board's collection no. 100122, India office Records, London; A Descriptive and Historical Account of Cotton Manufacture of Dacca, by former Resident of Dacca, London 1851; JC Sinha, "The Muslin Industry of Dacca" in the Modern Review, April, 1925; A Karim, "An Account of Dacca, dated 1800" in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Pakistan, Dhaka, vol. VII. No.2, 1962; a Karim, Dhakai Muslin, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1965, Reprint, Dhaka, 1990.

Play of Colors in Sonargaon

রং এর খেলা কত রকম হতে পারে তার কোন শেষ আছে? সেদিন ঘুরতে গেলাম সোনারগাও, জাদুঘ্রের ঠিকা পাশের লেকে দেখি রং এর এই খেলা। জানি না আপ্নাদের কেমন লাগছে কিন্তু আমি যখন প্রথম দেখি তখন আমার কাছে অদ্ভুত সুন্দর লেগেছিল। খুব ছোট ছোট ব্যাপার মাঝে মাঝে অনেক আনন্দ দিতে পারে। রং এর এই খেলা দেখে মনটাই অনেক ভাল হয়ে গিয়েছিল।

Sunset of Sonargaon

Up before dawn to try catch the early light. There was a bit of a rumble of distant thunder … though from the looks of the morning sky it seems unlikely there would be a sudden storm this morning [the season for the "Kaal Baisakh"Â - violent Nor'wester storms is coming up soon]. Drove out.

Old Pond and 2 Ghats

Every year on the 8th day of the Iunar month falls in the Bengali month of Chaitra, thousands of Hindu devotees from home and abroad assembles on the banks of the old Brahmaputra River for Astami snan, a ritual bath in the river. On the occasion, a three-day fair is held in this place, starting before the day of Ashtami snan (Bath) and ending a day after the bathing ceremony.

People and Activities

Main crops Paddy, potato, brinjal, patal, cauliflower, sugarcane and mula (radish). Main hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 26, fairs 4; notable hats and bazars are Ananda Bazar, Kaikartek Bazar; noted fairs are Luknath Brahmachari Mela, Pagla Mela at Hamchadi. The villagers were protected by two moats on the north and south. Originally there were three bridges with gates secured at night for protection. Panam Nagar was a center of trade and industry, especially during the British reign as for cloth trading.

Natural Beauty

Sonargaon is the most beautiful place to visit. Every body would like to visit a known to unknown. Man want to known ignorant, want to new fermentation, want to be open air and drink nectar to gaudy world’s wonderfulness. There are so many cannels, lakes, ponds and rivers, which enhences the beauti of Sonargaon.

Culture of Sonargaon

Panam Village became prominent during the British period, when a cloth trading centre grew up under the influential Zamindars. The cloth merchants came from various places such as Calcutta, Patna, or Bombay. These wealthy Hindu merchants, titled Shahas and Poddars, built their exquisite residences in a beautiful setting in Panam village. In Panam Nagar, close-knit families lived side by side and often enjoyed religious and other celebrations filled with feasts and musical festivals. People from nearby villages were invited to come and witness the many celebrations and rituals, such as Nagar-Dola in the grand hall of the present Boarding House building.

Delicios Food

There are many delicios food in Sonargaon. The most delicios carry is shorshay Ilish. I never forgate it's taste. It is so tasty that I love this food so much. Anyone can't trust me without having this food. Other famous foods are charchury, different types of vorta and muri ghonta. Different types of pitha is the main attraction of our village. The most common types are patishapta, vapa pitha, nokshi pitha, jhuri pitha and so on.

Sonargaon Festival

A month-long handicrafts fair and folklore festival-2010 began on the premises of Bangladesh Folklore and Crafts Foundation in Sonargaon upazila town yesterday. Local lawmaker Abdullah-Al-Kausar opened the festival as chief guest at a simple but impressive ceremony. Bangladesh Folklore and Crafts Foundation director Rabindra Gope presided over while Ministry of Cultural Affairs secretary Hedeytullah Al-Mamun was present as special guest. The opening session was followed by a cultural function participated by noted artistes of the country. A total of 192 stalls were erected at the fair premises for display of handicrafts, apparels, stationary goods there.

Handricraft Mela

A month-long handicraft fair and folklore festival kicked off yesterday at Bangladesh Folklore and Crafts Foundation in Sonargaon. Abdullah-Al-Kausar MP, inaugurated the festival as chief guest, while Hedeytullah Al-Mamun, cultural affairs secretary, was present as special guest. A total of 192 stalls will display handicrafts, apparels and stationery goods at the fair. Rabindra Gope, director of Bangladesh Folklore and Crafts Foundation, presided over the function, where Shamsur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Narayanganj, and Noorsia Komol, upazila nirbahi officer of Sonargaon, were also present. The fair and folklore festival ends on March 14.

Langalbandh Mela

Langalbandh or Tirtho Shan, Hindu community people believe it’s a holy bath. After this holy bath they visit another place SHITAKUNDO to complete this. Loagal bandha is located near by Sonargaon (about 27 km. from Dhaka) a very attractive festival observed by the Hindu Community every year on the last day of Chaittra (last Bengali month) - mid April, when the devotees take religious bath in the river.

Khasnagar Dighi

Khasnagar Dighi a large pond situated at about a mile to the south of panam and close to the village of Khasnagar in sonargaon. It is said that originally it covered an area of about twenty acres of land. But subsequently, in about 1879-80, it measured 1200 × 600 feet. Its banks were once covered with huts of weavers. It is said that muslin fabric, when washed in its water, attained brilliant whiteness.

langalbandh

Langalband a Hindu holy place situated on the bank of old brahmaputra in Sonargaon. Every year on the 8th day of lunar fortnight in the Bengali month of Chaitra, thousands of Hindu devotees from home and abroad assemble there for Astami snan, a holy bath in the river. They believe that this bath will please Brahma and they will be relieved of their sins and distresses.

Tomb of Allama Sharfuddin Abu Tawwama Bukhari

Sonargaon developed into a seat of Islamic learning under the scholar Maulana Sharfuddin Abu Tawwamah of Bokhara who came to Sonargaon (sometime between 1282 and 1287) and established there a ‘Khanqah’ and a madrasa wherein all branches of Islamic learning as well as secular sciences were taught and studied. This madrasa earned a great reputation throughout the subcontinent and attracted students from far and near. Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri, the celebrated Sufi scholar of Bihar, was a product of this madrasa.

Tomb of Sultan Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah

Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah (1390-1411 AD) the third sultan of the Iliyas Shahi dynasty of Bengal earned great name for his ideal character, patronage of learning and for good administration. Himself a scholar and poet, Sultan Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah held literary men in great esteem. He corresponded with the famous Iranian poet Hafiz and inviting him to visit Bengal. Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah contributed a good deal to the development of Bengali literature. Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah is known for his friendly relations with foreign countries, sent envoys to Makka, Madina and China. This great sultan died in 814 AH/1410 AD and buried in Mograpara.

Panch Pir Dargah

The other remains of other group of spiritual saints lie further south in Damdama at Mograpara in Sonargaon. Tomb of Ponkai Diwana at Gohatta, Panch Pir Dargah and a Mosque at Bhagalpur, Yusufganj Mosque, and Sheikh Saheb's Mosque at Darugola. Eminent historian, archeologist and professor emeritus Dr. Ahmed Dani in his book 'Dhaka-a record of changing fortunes' published in 1956 referred about 5 masonry graves of panch pir (5 saints) most noted among them was (Boro) Badr Alam. Although it is not certain who the Panch-Pirs (five Holy men) were, they were venerated in parts of Bengal particularly among poor or lower class village folk who sought asylum under their protection.

Goaldi Mosque

This mosque is one of the few remnants from the Sultanate period in Sonargaon, about six km northwest of the little township of Panam. According to an inscription, it was built by Mulla Hizabar Akbar Khan on 15 Shaban in 925 AH/ August 1519 AD, during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah. This mosque is more elegant and ornate in comparison to the earlier Sultanate mosques at Bagerhat. Each wall has three arched entrances, the central arch slightly higher than the others. A single graceful hemispherical dome rises above the slightly curved cornice. Miniature arches with terracotta designs are placed below the cornice and above the entrance arches. Round corner turrets that rise up to the cornice and have two moldings at the centre and triple moldings at the base, just above which are more terracotta arches.

Nokshi katha

Nakshi Kantha is projected in Sonargaon. The main objectives of the Foundation are to collect, preserve, and display, carry out researches and revitalize traditional folk arts and crafts of Bangladesh. It is a tradition of Sonargaon. Now Nakshi Ktha is a famous and fashionable item of handicraft in the urban area. We can buy Nakshi Katha from different fair, shopping centre etc. In the fair most of the seller are women. The shopping centre Aarong is famous for Nakshi Katha design. The designs show the Bangladeshi culture.

The Famous Moslin

Muslin produced in Sonargaon, especially its finest variety called khasa, had a worldwide reputation. Sheathed in greenery and encircled by serene lakes and transparent pools, Sonargaon (literally golden village) was a feast to the eye. Sea lanes from Sonargaon directly went to Java Island at one point of time. Sonargaon was not only administrative capital, but also developed in culture, art and science.

Jamdani sharee

The word Jamdani is of Persian origin, from 'Jam' meaning flower and 'Dani' meaning a vase or a container. The earliest mention of jamdani and its development as an industry is found in Kautikaya (about 3rd century BC). Due to the exquisite pain-staking methodology required, only aristocrats and royal families were able to afford such luxuries. The art of making jamdani designs on fine fabric reached its zenith during Mughal rule. There were handlooms in almost all villages of the Dhaka district. Dhaka, Sonargaon, Dhamrai, Titabari, Jangalbari and Bajitpur were famous for making superior quality jamdani and muslin. Sonargaon and Jangalbari used to be sent to the Mughal court every year.

Banglar Taj Mahal

“Banglar Taj Mahal” located at Sonargaon, Narayanganj. It's a replica of Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shajahan several centuries ago. It's not yet finished although it has already been opened for the visitors. The Taj Mahal has inspired many copies over the centuries.

The Folk Art Museum

The Folk Art Museum, which was established in 1975 to fulfill the dream of the celebrated painter Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, has' a very rich collection of folk objects of different materials and forms of aesthetic values. These undoubtedly reflect the sentiments, impulse, temperament, mood, idiosyncrasy, skill and expertise of the artisans. It is a national institution which represents traditional art and heritage of Bangladesh, exhibiting objects of exceptional designs and skills. There are two galleries in this museum, one is Wood Cutting Gallery and another is Embroidered Quilt and Jamdani Gallery.

Historical Goaldi Mosque

The most beautiful ancient symbol of Sonargaon is the Goaldi Mosque. It was built by some one name Molla Hizbar Akbar Khan in 1519 A. D. during the reign of (1493-15 19) independent Sultan Alauddin Hossain Shah of Bengal. The traditional Arabic design are seen on the inner stone, on the stone over the outside wall and on the bricks. In the beginning of the 20th century S. M. Taifur while visited the beautiful mosque said. Its stone door frame, artistic mihrab and pulpit and its inscription slabs in beautiful cursive Arabic is thrown there. This mosque which has one dome is attractable among the Archaeological symbols of Bangladesh.

Neel Kuthi

It was constucted in the reszin of the Mughal period situated in the dulalpur road at a shod distance from panam bridge. It was built by the Neelkar mainly for the trade and commerce of Neel collected from one kind shrub during the colohial rule. Its arches are made vertically in front and the windows and doors are open. In this building the Mughal architectural design and local design is followed.

Treasurer Buildings

The treasurer building is situated at the place of amin­pur in panam nagar. At present it is about to destoiy, Yet the tourists are attracted by the beautiful architectural design. It is constructed attractively in the brook on the three high pillars by the round bricks connected with lime. The central pillar comparatively is greater than the other pillars. The surface of the bridge is gradually L slope from the centre to the both sides. The bridge was built in the 17th century.

Baro Shorder Bari

Sonargaon's importance in the pre-Muslim period is borne out by its ancient name of Suvarnagrama. The 13th century local Hindu ruler Danujamadhava Dasharathadeva (Raja danuj rai of Ziauddin Barani) may have shifted his capital to Suvarnagrama from vikramapura sometime in the middle of the century. Independent Hindu rule in Sonargaon came to an end with the annexation of the area to the Muslim principality of lakhnauti by shamsuddin firuz shah in the beginning of the 14th century AD. Though the fortune of Sonargaon was under a temporary eclipse from its annexation to the kingdom of Lakhnauti till the rise of ghiyasuddin bahadur shah, the city continued to be important as a port and a mint town.

The Panam Bridge

It is architecturally a very attractive bridge which was made of fine bricks known as Panam bridge. It was constructed over the Pankhiraz canal between dulalpur and panam area. It is the best symbol of the Maghul Arehitectural design. It is constructed attractively in the brook on the three high pillars by the round bricks connected with lime. The central pillar comparatively is greater than the other pillars. The surface of the bridge is gradually L slope from the centre to the both sides. The bridge was built in the 17th century.

The Panam Nagor

It is a remarkbale and famous flourishing place of Sonargaon. It was known as ‘Haveli- Sonargaon. The old buildings or’ both sides of the roads surrounded by trench and made of old small bricks remind the history of ancient glorious days. During the reign of the British, the English rulers built here a modern building which is known as com­pany kuthi. At the end of the 19th century and at the begin­ning of the 20th century, the Hindu Landlords and the merchents built residential quarters on the both sides of the road in the town.The old buildings made skillfully and in different design by lime and bride concrete attract easily the mind of the tourists. In fact the sign of the glorious days of ancient tradition are not preserved now. The scattere & buildings remind the scholarly past memory again.

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