From ancient watchtower to Mughal capital: the complex, riverine evolution of Dhaka
In short: Long before it became a modern megacity, Dhaka served as a strategic riverine hub for Eurasian traders and Mughal governors. Known as the Venice of the East, this ancient settlement has been shaped by centuries of shifting empires, from the Gupta and Pala dynasties to the height of Mughal industrialization.
Archaeological evidence from excavations at the Old Dhaka Central Jail suggests the region was inhabited as early as 500 BC to 200 BC. Throughout the post-classical period, the area was controlled by various powers, including the Pala Empire, which ruled from the 8th century until the late 11th century. During this era, the greater Dhaka district hosted Bikrampur, one of the empire's capitals, while the region’s early inhabitants included weavers and shell cutters who established specialized market centers that still bear their names today.
The city’s rise to prominence accelerated under Mughal rule, particularly after 1608 when General Islam Khan Chisti subdued regional rebels. By 1610, Dhaka was designated the capital of Mughal Bengal and the financial hub of Mughal India. Its strategic location on the Buriganga River made it a magnet for international commerce, attracting Dutch, British, and Portuguese traders who sought the region's famous muslin fabrics. At its peak under subahdar Shaista Khan, who governed from 1664 to 1688, the city expanded to cover 12 miles in length and supported a population of nearly one million people.
The origin of the city's name remains a subject of debate among historians. Theories range from the establishment of the Dhakeshwari temple in the 12th century to the presence of the Dhak plant or the use of the site as a watchtower, as suggested by the Kashmiri chronicle Rajatarangini. Regardless of its etymology, Dhaka’s identity as a center of power and trade persisted through centuries of political flux, including the transition to British rule in 1757 and its eventual emergence as the capital of Bangladesh in 1971.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: History of Dhaka
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