Wednesday | 11 December 2024 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Wednesday | 11 December 2024 | Epaper
BREAKING: ● Bangladesh elected Vice President of UN Human Rights Council for 2025       ● CA urges women to come forward to build new Bangladesh       ● BCB announces squad for T20Is against WI      ● 3 killed in Naogaon road crash      ● Bangladesh Bank, IMF 'mull over dollar exchange rate reform'      ● Goods prices to stay below normal during Ramadan: Commerce Adviser      ● Bangladesh's people have high expectations from BNP leaders, workers: Tarique      

Bahadur Shah Park needs to be refurbished 

Published : Thursday, 14 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 294
Hena Shikdar
Bahadur Shah Park (formerly Victoria Park) is one of the prominent historical sites located in the Lakshmibazar area near the Sadarghat port in Dhaka. The park, surrounded by various government buildings, schools, colleges, and universities, has long been considered a significant part of Old Dhaka. This site has witnessed several historical events, marking it as an important landmark in the city's history.

In the late 18th century, the area was home to an Armenian billiards club, which the locals referred to as Antaghar (meaning "billiards house"). The billiard balls were called Anta, and it is from this term that the name Antaghar originated. The club's house was adjacent to a field or ground, which became known as Antaghar Maidan. In 1858, when Queen Victoria took control of India, a proclamation was made in this very ground by the Commissioner of Dhaka, marking the beginning of British rule in the region. The place was then named Victoria Park, a name that it held until 1957.

The 1857 Sepoy Rebellion (Indian Rebellion of 1857) significantly changed the course of this park's history. After the British suppressed the revolt and executed several freedom fighters, their bodies were displayed publicly by hanging them from the trees in the Maidan to instill fear in the local population. This dark chapter left a lasting impact on the site, and the stories of these executions became a source of fear, with many believing the area to be haunted. 

In 1957 (or 1961, according to some sources), the park was renamed Bahadur Shah Park to commemorate the centenary of the Sepoy Rebellion and to honor Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, who had been a symbolic figure in the rebellion. The park's new name reflected the role of the Mughal ruler in the struggle against British colonial rule.

During the early 19th century, the British took over the park, enclosed it with iron fencing, and placed four large cannons at each corner, marking it as a significant colonial military site. Later, when the park fell into disrepair, Nawab Abdul Ghani took initiative to develop it, creating a public square. 

The Antaghar  club was patronized by Dhaka's Nawabs, Abdul Ghani and Ahsan Ullah. The field gained prominence during the 1857 revolt, when it became the site of the public executions of rebel sepoys. The executions were a part of the British crackdown after the revolt, where several sepoys were captured and sentenced to death in a mock trial.


The park has also seen various other developments, including the installation of a memorial plaque in 1884, funded by the British friends of Nawab Abdul Ghani's grandson, Khaja Hafizullah, in memory of his contributions.

Despite its rich history, Bahadur Shah Park is in a state of neglect today. The central fountain, once a symbol of beauty, is now dry and in a state of disrepair. The surrounding walls are crumbling, and there is a lack of basic maintenance, such as proper sanitation. The toilets in the park are filthy, and vendors and hawkers often use the water tank for their own purposes, further degrading the park's environment.

One of the most disturbing aspects of the park's decline is the misuse of the area by drug addicts, who are often seen gathering in the park at night, disturbing its atmosphere. The once peaceful and historical park has become a place of disorder and degradation. Visitors can often be seen sitting on the memorial of the 1857 martyrs with shoes on, showing a blatant disregard for the park's sacred history.

Bahadur Shah Park is recognized as an important historical site and is listed for preservation under the Dhaka Metropolitan Building (Construction, Development, Conservation, and Demolition) Regulations of 2008, as per the capital's master plan. However, despite this, the surrounding area is in poor condition. The roads around the park are littered with trash, and the footpaths are cluttered with shops and rickshaws. This has seriously impacted the beauty and sanctity of the park.

Bahadur Shah Park, with its historical significance and rich legacy, stands at a crossroads. While it is an important reminder of Dhaka's colonial past and the 1857 rebellion, its current state reflects a disregard for its history and cultural value. Efforts to reclaim and preserve the park are ongoing, but unless serious action is taken, the park's legacy may continue to fade, overshadowed by neglect and commercial exploitation. It is crucial for both authorities and citizens to recognize the importance of preserving this historical gem for future generations.

The writer is a student at Jagannath University


LATEST NEWS
MOST READ
Also read
Can Europe build itself a rival to Google?
Why Assad’s regime falls
Human rights violation in Bangladesh must stop  
Ensure protection of migratory birds
Beware of Nipah virus in date palm juice during winter 
Trump outlines sweeping policy agenda in TV interview
Is Putin signalling the dawn of a new nuclear age?
This year’s theme is ‘About our rights, our future, right now’
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: [email protected], news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
🔝
close