Old Dhaka’s historic architecture faces systematic erasure

Old Dhaka, once renowned for its unique architectural charm and cultural heritage, is witnessing an alarming wave of destruction as historic buildings are being systematically replaced by modern high-rises. 

The relentless drive for urban development is erasing the city’s historical identity, threatening to permanently alter the character of the capital’s oldest neighborhoods.

In recent months, several buildings of immense historical and architectural value have been demolished or severely damaged. The Urban Study Group (USG), a leading heritage conservation organization, has raised the alarm over the rising incidents of vandalism and illegal construction—both in private and government-owned properties—despite ongoing legal proceedings in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

Just before Eid-ul-Azha, part of the iconic Shankhanidhi House (Radhakrishna Temple) on Tipu Sultan Road collapsed. Its distinctive jhuj veranda was destroyed, reportedly due to the illegal construction of a bathroom. This century-old structure, under the supervision of multiple government agencies, has long suffered from unauthorized alterations and neglect. Experts blame administrative failure, mismanagement, and intentional inaction for its current state.

Soon after, acts of vandalism resumed at Mangalay, a protected heritage site in Farashganj, also listed by the Urban Study Group. Despite a High Court ban on any form of alteration, the building suffered further damage, though police intervention temporarily halted the destruction. 

According to conservationists, the building’s intricate decorative elements have already sustained significant damage over repeated attacks in recent years.

In a more brazen act, the Narinda Sewerage Pumping Station, part of Dhaka’s first modern sewage system and likely built in 1923, was completely demolished two weeks ago. The station, a rare example of early Raj-era urban engineering with functioning gargoyles and architectural finesse, was on the USG’s preservation list and protected by court orders. Its destruction by Dhaka WASA, a government agency, has been labeled a direct violation of the High Court’s ruling—raising serious concerns about the rule of law and government accountability.

On the night of June 13, yet another incident shocked heritage advocates: the illegal partial demolition of Nasiruddin Smriti Bhavan in Narinda—the residence of renowned journalist Mohammad Nasiruddin and his daughter Nurjahan Begum, a pioneer of women’s empowerment in Bengal. 

The building, currently under judicial review by the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, was vandalized to make way for a multi-storey building, without any formal authorization. A General Diary (GD) was filed the following day at Gendaria Police Station, which temporarily halted further damage.

Taimur Islam, CEO of the Urban Study Group, told The Daily Observer that a landmark High Court verdict in 2018 declared 2,200 colonial-era buildings in Old Dhaka as protected and banned any modification or demolition. However, due to negligence, poor coordination, and lack of goodwill—particularly from the Department of Archaeology—little progress has been made in enforcing this order over the past seven years. He also noted that the department controversially excluded Nurjahan Begum’s residence from its preservation list, dismissing its historical value.

This negligence has led to the loss of other notable landmarks, including the Auction House, a part of Boro Katra, and the original building of Dhaka Collegiate School.

Talking to Daily Observer, Afroza Khan Mita, Regional Director of the Department of Archaeology (Dhaka and Mymensingh), confirmed that the front portion of the Shankhanidhi House had collapsed. She added that a committee has been formed to address the issue and that investigations are underway regarding both the Shankhanidhi House and the Narinda Sewerage Pumping Station.

Regarding Nasiruddin’s residence, Mita questioned the classification of the building as “traditional,” stating that unlike architecturally renowned structures like the National Parliament Building—designed by Louis I. Kahn—many heritage buildings in Old Dhaka lack famous designers, making their preservation more difficult under current guidelines. She also mentioned being overwhelmed with responsibilities, noting that over 2,200 houses in the region await classification, with limited resources and personnel assigned to the task.

Observers note that the wave of destruction intensified following the political unrest and mass uprising in July last year. While public resistance, media attention, and civil society activism have slowed such acts over the past nine months, a spate of fresh attacks occurred during the recent Eid holidays—alarming both conservationists and residents.

Despite legal protections, Old Dhaka’s heritage remains at risk due to poor enforcement, bureaucratic indifference, and opportunistic real estate interests. The continuing destruction of these irreplaceable historical structures represents not only a loss of architecture but also a cultural and civic failure.

HKJ