Travel is both an adventure in space and time, offering visitors to Bangladesh the opportunity to embark on such an enthralling voyage. Bangladesh boasts vibrant heritage sites that make for fascinating discoveries – offering travelers an exceptional journey of their own!
Shait Gambuj Mosque or Sixty Dome Mosque can be found in Bagerhat and is recognized by UNESCO as an exceptional World Heritage site. Constructed in 1459, this exquisite mosque remains standing today.
Lalbagh Fort
Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete Mughal palace fortress constructed by Prince Muhammad Azam Shah (son of Emperor Aurangzeb). Construction started by Prince Azam Shah during his viceroyalty period but left incomplete when he returned home due to family matters. Subsequently it was taken up by Shaista Khan but also left incomplete; likely due to mourning his daughter Iran Dukht or Pari Bibi’s death as Shaista believed her death ominous, thus never continuing construction work on it.
Before, the massive south-western bastion of Fort Buriganga used to touch the water of Buriganga river but is now further away, partly due to building intrusion near it and also because its course has changed.
Ahsan Manzil
Ahsan Manzil Palace was once home to the Nawabs of Dhaka. Boasting European and Mughal architectural styles, its magnificent pink facade features Corinthian columns with grand domes topped by white Corinthian capitals topped off with luxurious furniture and decorations for an opulent mansion experience.
History of Ahsan Manzil Palace can be traced back to late 19th century, when Zamindar Sheikh Enayet Ullah constructed a garden house at this location. After Sheikh Motiullah sold it off in 1830 to French officials for use as a palace, its current form dates from when Nawab Khwaja Alimullah purchased and named the complex after his son Ahsan Manzil – hence its current name of Ahsan Manzil Palace!
The Palace served as an epicenter of political activity during the British Raj, hosting anti-Congress meetings as well as many dignitaries including Viceroys and Governors of British India visiting it regularly.
Sompur Mahavihara
Somapura Mahavihara, located in Paharpur village of Badalgachhi Upazila of Naogaon District in Bangladesh and dating back more than 1,300 years, is an ancient Buddhist monastery that holds great historical and archaeological importance for Bangladesh, being designated as one of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1985.
Over time, the monastery declined and was eventually forgotten, until 1919 when it was rediscovered and excavation began four years later, gradually increasing after independence was achieved.
At Somapura Mahavihara during this era, prominent scholars and philosophers such as Acharya Atisa resided. Monks here also developed the early form of Bengali. Today, Somapura Mahavihara serves as an archeological museum displaying terracotta plaques, images, stone sculptures, inscriptions coins and ceramics – offering visitors a window into Bangladeshi history and culture.
Mainamati Shalban Vihara
Mainamati Shalban Vihara is an important archaeological site in Comilla district. Situated eight kilometers west of Comilla town, this isolated low dimpled range of hills boasts more than 50 prehistoric Buddhist settlements dating from 8th to 12th century AD. Shalban itself consists of 115 monastic cells spread out over an area covering 168 square meters; the Department of Archaeology has unearthed various items at this site such as copper plates, gold and silver coins, bronze statues and stone sculptures from this location.
This monastery was established during the 7th Century under King Bhava Deva of the early-Deva dynasty. Its name derives from its location near a grove of Shal (Shorea robusta) trees which once surrounded it; later used to train young Buddhist monks as well as providing training grounds for later spreading throughout Asia as cruciform shrines.
Armenian Church
Armenia was where Christianity first appeared as an official religion when two edicts from its King, Khoren II, attempted to stamp it out with arresting all Christians and punishing anyone hiding Christians with death sentences. With divine assistance and help from someone within his court system, St Gregory the Illuminator managed to endure this hardship for thirteen years until finally being freed by force of arms from Armenian prisons.
Church leaders and laity have traditionally shared leadership responsibilities in governance. This trend was most evident under Catholicos St Nerses the Great (353-373), when both elements shared equally in running governance affairs. Armenians consider their church an unifying pan-national institution while most in Diaspora view it primarily as an educator for morals and ethics as well as safeguarder of culture and language heritage; many in Diaspora also lack personal experience of church-state coexistence.
