Lalbagh
Fort (also Fort
Aurangabad) is an incomplete 17th century Mughal fort complex that stands
proudly before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The construction was started in 1678 AD by Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah
who was son of Emperor Aurangzeb and later emperor himself. His successor, Shaista
Khan, did not continue the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688.
History
Mughal prince Muhammad
Azam, third son of Aurangzeb started the work of the fort in 1678 during
his vice-royalty in Bengal. He stayed in Bengal for 15
months. The fort remained incomplete when he was called away by his father
Aurangzeb. Shaista Khan was the new subahdar of Dhaka in that time,
and he did not complete the fort. In 1684, the daughter of Shaista Khan named
Iran Dukht Pari Bibi died there. After her death, he started to think the fort
as unlucky, and left the structure incomplete. Among the three major parts of
Lalbagh Fort, one is the tomb of Pari Bibi.
After Shaista
Khan left Dhaka, it lost its popularity. The main cause was that the capital
was moved from Dhaka to Murshidabad. After the end of the royal Mughal period,
the fort became abandoned. In 1844, the area acquired its name as Lalbagh
replacing Aurangabad, and the fort became Lalbagh Fort.
Structures
For long the
fort was considered to be a combination of three buildings (the mosque, the
tomb of Bibi Pari and the Diwan-i-Aam), with two gateways and a portion of the
partly damaged fortification wall. Recent excavation
s carried out by the
Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh have revealed the existence of other
structures.
The southern
fortification wall has a huge bastion in the southwestern corner. On the north
of the south fortification wall were the utility buildings, stable,
administration block, and its western part accommodated a beautiful roof-garden
with arrangements for fountains and a water reservoir. The residential part was
located on the east of the west fortification wall, mainly to the south-west of
the mosque.
The
fortification wall on the south had five bastions at regular intervals two
stories in height, and the western wall had two bastions; the biggest one is
near the main southern gate. The bastions had an underground tunnel.
The central area
of the fort is occupied by three buildings - the Diwan-i-Aam and the hammam
on its east, the Mosque on the west and the Tomb of Pari Bibi in between the
two - in one line, but not at equal distance. A water channel with fountains at
regular intervals connects the three buildings from east to west and north to
south.
Diwani-i-Aam
Diwan-i-Aam is a
two storied residence of the Mughal governor of Bengal located on the east site
of the complex. A single storied hammam is attached on its west. The hammam
portion has an underground room for boiling water. A long partition wall runs
along the western facade of the hammam.
The building is situated about 39 meters (136’) to the west of the tank,
running from north to south. The external measurements of the building are
32.47m x 8.18m (107’ x 29’).
There are living quarters on each level of two
stories and a main central hallway connecting them. There is a Hammamkhana
(Bathhouse) in the southern part of the building which is one of the seventh
Hammamkhana still existing in ruins in heritage of Bangladesh.
Recent excavations (1994–2009) show that there
was a special room below the room of Hammamkhana, where archeologists found the
arrangements for heating water, supplying the hot water as well as cool water
to the Hammamkhana through the terracotta pips which was especially
manufactured for such purpose. The discovery of black spots in the underground
room proof that fire had been used for the purpose of heating the water for the
Hammamkhana. There was also a toilet room by the side of Hammamkhana.
All the building along with the arrangements of
Hammamkhana clearly shows that it was very much in use by the Subadar of Bengal
and that Subadar was Shaista Khan. From the report of the Governor of English
Factory it was learned that Shaista Khan used to live in this room and some
Europeans were kept in custody here.
A water tank
A square shaped
water tank (71.63m on each side) is placed to the east of the Diwan-i-Aam.
There are four corner stairs to descend into the tank.
Tomb of Bibi Pari
The tomb of Bibi
Pari, the daughter of Shaista Khan, is in the middle of the complex. There is a
central square room. It contains the remains of Bibi Pari covered by a false
octagonal dome and wrapped by brass plate. The entire inner wall is covered
with white marble. Eight rooms surround the central one. There is another small
grave in the southeastern corner room
Stories
From the time of
construction till date, various myths have revolved around the fort. Among all
the historical stories and debates, it is widely believed that Lalbagh Fort
stands as a monument of the unfulfilled dreams of Prince Muhammad Azam, beloved
son of Emperor Aurangzeb. In the mid 17th century, he was serving as the
Viceroy of Bengal and began the construction of the impressive Lalbagh Fort
complex.
Therefore the
popular stories about the fort begin. Before the construction was finished,
Prince Azam was called back to his father, to assist in the war against the Marathas.
Legend says, after the Mughal prince departed, Shaista Khan continued with
building the project, but upon the untimely death of his much-loved daughter
Iran-Dukht, warmly known as Pari Bibi, the construction was stopped. Bibi was
engaged to Prince Azam at the time of her death.
There are also
legends and debates about the identity of Pari Bibi. Few researchers claim she
was a nine-year-old Ahom princess. Mir Jumals Ahom’s expedition brought a war
adjoining the Garo hills. He took the daughter of Ahom Raja to compel him for
the full execution of the previous peace treaty. Later, the emperor made her
convert to Islam and married her off to prince Azam. However, overshadowing all
the debates, people now believe that she was the loving daughter of Nawab Shaista
Khan.
Important facts
Archeologists
after a recent excavation discover continuity of the main fort
walls towards
east below Shaishta Khan Road and opine that the present area of Qilla only
represents half portion as planned by Prince Azam Khan. The gate at south east
of Fort (adjacent to Lalbagh Shahi Masjid) as per requirement fits properly as
the Central Gate in the middle of Fort, the other half on east- likely palnned
for administrative purpose (Girde Qilla area)- were incomplete or extinct long
ago.
