Bahadur
Shah Park, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a striking war
memorial set amidst the splendor of nature. It was built in 1858 at the
initiative of Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani, in the Sadarghat area. It was called
Victoria Park until 1947. After that, it was renamed after Bahadur Shah II, the
last Mughal emperor.
History
In the
late-nineteenth century it was the centre of the Colonial city in European
style with several civic and religious buildings and educational institutions
around it. During the eighteenth century, the European started a club for them.
They played, among other games, billiard, and hence the premise was called
'Anta Gharer Maidan'. The English later demolished it and created a round-about
park facing the St Thomas church. The club was shifted elsewhere which later
became the famous Dhaka club. The park became a major node in the road network
of old Dhaka. In the past, it had all important buildings and establishments
around it, many of which are gone now. It is where the mutineers of the failed
1857 Revolt ('Sipahi mutiny for freedom fight') were publicly hanged. It was
also the scene from where accession by Queen Victoria and India was announced
amidst much funfair in 1858, and hence the original name of 'Victoria Park'
bestowed. An obelisk to commemorate a personnel was also erected there. After
Partition, the historically more important monument, symbolising this place,
was erected on the Centenary of Sepoy Revolt, and the park was renamed 'Bahadur
Shah Park'.
In stone throw
distance around the park, important institutional buildings such as court,Bank,
DC's office and Jagannath College are situated.
Architectural significance
Bahadur
Shah Park is enriched with some architectural displays. It has two entrances.
Plenty of trees really make the place majestic. The sculptures in the park are
one of a kind. There is a tall memorial at the eastern side. It is an Obelisk
which commemorates the ascending of the throne of Queen Victoria as Empress of
India and British Empire. There is another magnificent sculpture at the western
part. It was built in the honour of the martyrs. There is also an octagonal
fountain in the middle of a star shaped fountain in the park. It is a place of
pride for our country. Bahadur Shah Park now attracts the young and the old,
who come here to enjoy the peaceful environment. Whether you are interested in
the history of Bangladesh or are simply looking for a place to take a relaxing
stroll, Bahadur Shah Park is a delightful attraction in Dhaka.Today
The
towering monument of the park in the city is now losing its glory as most of
its historic infrastructure is fading away due to neglect. Its boundary wall
has collapsed. People have occupied its land and part of the footpath to
illegally set up shops and other business. A witness to events of the last one
and a half centuries the park now somehow maintains existence with no
initiative to preserve the heritage. Under the circumstances, the DCC
initiative is a good step to save the heritage site. The condition of the area
is now terrible. People using the park's footpath very often fall victim to
many incidents. Toll collectors and vagabonds are dominating the area and are
indulging in snatching which is on the rise. Historical Bahadur Shah Park
(Victoria Park) lost all its importance and glamour. The park is now showing wretched
condition of the last relic of the Mughal Empire.Witness to many historic
events and once a traditional place for sojourn have lost all glamour.
Moreover, water from the only big artificial waterfall of the park could not be
drained.Activities
There
were many institutions around the park. These are Jagannath College, Shaheed
Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, City Corporation Mohila College,
Government Muslim High School and Sunflower High School, among many others. At
daytime, students of these institutions gather and gossip in the park area and
many health conscious people entered into the park for jogging and walking both
in the morning and in the afternoon. This fantastic attraction in Dhaka
provides travelers with the opportunity to look back into the turbulent history
of Bangladesh. The park attracts some two thousand visitors each day and
frequently sets the scene for cultural and religious festivals. Every day more
than 2,000 people including women and the elderly arrive thereafter and before
dark to do exercise and spend leisure.
