Lalbagh Fort A Glimpse into Dhaka's Mughal History

A historical landmark in Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka is the Lalbagh Fort, sometimes called the Aurangabad Fort. The fort is a significant piece of Mughal-era architecture and a reminder of the long history of the city. Lalbagh Fort, albeit unfinished, exhibits excellent Mughal design and is a must-see location for both history buffs and tourists.

A Legacy of Mughal Architecture

Lalbagh Fort was built in 1678 AD, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, by his son and Subedar Shahzada Azam of Bengal. The bright garden that existed before the fort's construction, overflowing with different colors, especially red flowers, gave it its name. But Shahzada Azam abandoned Bengal to fight the Marathas, leaving the fort unfinished. The fort is still a superb example of the era's architectural ambition today.

Exploring the Fort

As tourists enter the fort through its gate, they come across the Paribibi's shrine, a square structure with three domes. Shahzada Azam's wife was Paribibi. The shrine displays the characteristic Mughal architectural style that was popular at the time.

The Shaista Khan-built mausoleum is one of Lalbagh Fort's most notable attractions. To beautify this magnificent structure, precious stones were brought in from locations like Jaipur, Chunar, and Gaya. The walls of the fort, constructed of sturdy thin bricks, were built to withstand cannon fire, demonstrating the strategic skill of the builders. The Subedar lived in the fort's Hammam Khana, a two-story building with a bottom level set aside for relaxing and bathing. The fort's southern gate has a stunning minaret that adds to the architectural splendor.

Notably, the fort's southern wall, which was built along the Buriganga River, served an important defensive function. To defend against any enemy or pirate attacks along the river route, military facilities were built into the fort's wall. There were a number of undiscovered passages connecting the fort to the Buriganga River, which raised the possibility that Lalbagh Fort served as a shortcut to the nearby Jinjira Fort.

A splendid rectangular mosque runs from north to south on the fort's western flank. The mosque, which was constructed by Subedar Azam, features three domes and four semi-circular minarets on its corners, which are typical of Mughal architecture.

How to Reach Lalbagh Fort

Visitors can ride a 10-taka taxi from Gulistan to the shrine of Golap Shah in Dhaka to get to Lalbagh Fort. Additionally, there are two gateways going to Islambagh and Qillar that provide access to the fort. Another practical choice is to take a rickshaw from the Newmarket or Gulistan region. 

Lalbagh Fort is a mesmerizing reminder of Dhaka's Mughal past and gives visitors a chance to explore the magnificent architecture of a bygone age. Enter the majestic fort and become fully immersed in its rich cultural history.