River Forts Around Dhaka Built During Mughal Era

The importance of river fortification system in this riverine Bangladesh has been immense since ancient period. When the Mughals first came to this region of Bengal, they had to face multifaceted problems. On one hand, there was the indomitable Baro-Bhuyians, on the other hand, there was the hostile nature and the famous monsoon of Bengal. Along with this, there were diseases. Another worrying factor was the continuous attack by Arakanese (mordan Burma) and Portuguese pirates, who used to attack from the Bay of Bengal through the large rivers (Meghna and Brahmaputra). The Mughals, who rode horses from Central Asia, realized that in order to see their empire in Bengal, they had to first secure their waterways.

In 1610, Subedar Islam Khan, upon his first arrival in Bengal, shifted the capital from Rajmahal to Dhaka and focused on building a strong fleet. He also appointed Mir Bahar (Naval Commander) in the army.  It is said that within a decade the Mughals had built three forts on the banks of the rivers surrounding the city at strategic locations to protect the capital. Although there is ongoing debate as to whether Islam Khan actually built any forts, he may have started small and later improved them. The three main forts of Bengal's water defences are referred to as the "Triangle of Water Forts" and consist of the forts of Idrakpur, Sonakanda and Hajiganj.

Most of the forts built around Dhaka during the Mughal period for military purposes. It was designed and planned with defense in mind. In addition to the strong structure, a number of defenses were added to form a kind of impenetrable and defensive tactics in the forts. first of all, its strategic position was given priority. Strategic position there fort was highly important In this case the first choice of the ruler was rivers, high mountains, valleys. In addition to the strong structure, a number of defenses were added to form a kind of impenetrable and defensive tactics in the forts. In this case, first of all, its strategic position was given priority. In this case the first choice of the ruler was rivers, high mountains, valleys.

 The establishment of the capital in Dhaka by the Mughal Subahdar Islam Khan in 1608, the security of the newly established city of Dhaka made the Mughal rulers think Considering the geographical importance of protecting the city of Dhaka, three forts were built at different times. The three forts: Idrakpur, Hajiganj fort and Sona Kanda fort which had a high Strategic importance as it stood on the Conjunction of three rivers which formed outlets for the pirates.

Mir Jumla's significant role to protect Dhaka

A notable figure of the seventeenth century Mir Jumla Was born in 1591 A.D Ardistan of Ispahan in Iran. He began his life as a clerk under the Mughal administration. He later established himself as one of the best generals and most capable governors of the Mughal Empire. Being a businessman himself, he was aware of the contribution of trade and commerce to the economy of the country. During his time, Portuguese business declined, but Dutch and English companies flourished. He assisted European and foreign merchants in taking advantage of the royal decree MirJumla's construction activities in Dhaka included rapid deployment of troops, deployment of equipment and ammunition, and the construction of two forts and bridges for public welfare, as well as a number of forts in need of strategic defense. Some of the roads and forts built by Mir Jumla still exist.

Mir Jumla is remembered in the History of Bangladesh for Construction for Idrakpur fort in Munshiganj and Hajiganj for in Narayanganj. Historians have mentioned two cannons placed by Mir Jumla on the banks of the Buriganga to protect Dhaka from the Mughal pirates he placed it on the Moghlai Char in the river Buriganga, south of SoariGhat. Robert Lindsay (1891-1855), an East India Company official, wrote in his memoirs about the famous geographer Rennell and his memoirs about Kale Khan Zamzam. Due to the negligence of the British rulers, Kale Khan Zamzam sank in the river Buriganga in 1870 AD. However, according to experts, there is still a possibility of recovery. On his way back from Assam, Mir Jumla died on 1663 A.D at the age of 71 in a boat near Khizirpur. He was buried on a high hill near Garopahar of Meghalaya in India.

Triangle of Waterforts (Idrakpur, Hajiganj and Sona Kanda fort)

Idrakpur Fort was the first fort built in the "Triangle of Waterforts". Idrakpur fort built during the Mughal period is still in existence in the town of Munsigonj on the right (south) bank of the river Ichhamati now extinct and after being merged with the river Dhaleswari.

This fort is slightly smaller than the Sona Kanda fort of the Narayangonj district. The eastern part of this fort is semi-circular and the western part is rectangular. The surrounding walls are made of bricks and are quite low now-at places particularly in the north side it is about 1.21 metres (4') high only. Originally the walls including the north wall were quite high. But as the entire surrounding land due to the gradual process of silting up has risen high the wall have lost their original height.

There is a large circular drum having a diameter of about 26 meters (66') surrounded by very high walls most probably built for strengthening the construction of the fort. The circular drum was used as a bastion for placing large canons with long ranges. The residential house of the Sub-divisional Officer was built during the British period.

The fort is known as Idrakpur. It is generally known to have been buily by Mir Jumla in the year 1660 A.D.  This fort was for preventing the attack of the Arakanese and Portuguese pirates who used to commit atrocities on the people of Bengla. Excavations were carried out at the fort by the Department of Archaeology in the financial year 2015-16 excavations exposed platforms cooling jars, drainage ditches, arsenals and other artifacts.

Sonakanda fort which is located to the north-east and not far off from this fort was also built for this purpose along with many other forts in Bengal. Idrakpur fort has since been handed over to the Department of Archaeology. The fort has a quadrangular rampart wall with a central courtyard in the east and a raised artillery platform on the west overlooking the river shaped like a round drum with a considerably large diameter. Large cannons were mounted in this strategic position.

The quadrangular portion covers an area of 86.56m x 57.0m, and the only entrance is located to the north. The fort is built with brick and covered with plaster. The brick size is 19.05 x 9.89 x 3.81cm. The entrance gateway is placed within a rectangular frame with rosette engraved spandrel and several plastered panels in its inner and outer walls.

Hajiganj Fort also known as Khizrpur Fort is situated at Hajiganj locality of Narayanganj on the western bank of the Sitalakshya River. It is a water fort and it was built just at the point where the old Buriganga discharged into the Sitalakshya.  It may have been built soon after Subadar Islam Khan established the Mughal capital at Dhaka and it was intended to counter the raids of the Magh and Portuguese pirates.

The architectural design of the fort refers to the Muslim architectural design. It is quadrangular in size, consists of a pentagonal curtain wall machicolated for muskets with rounded corner. On the inner side of the curtain wall there is 1.22m high rampart walkway from the base of the curtain wall which is itself pierced by several musketry holes.

This could have been a superb tourist spot for the local and international tourists. But our government is nonchalant about this spot like any other archaic edifices from Bangladesh. They have declared the custody of this fort on them, and that's it. After that, they didn't do anything for it. Due to the lack of proper care and maintenance, the fort is perishing day by day. Local boys play here at day time and at night the fort is occupied by the drug addicted and muggers.

Dhaka Gate or Mir Jumla's Gate

Dhaka Gate also known as Mir Jumla's Gate or Ramna Gate is a monument believed to be built by Mir Jumla II and enlisted as one of the oldest Mughal architectures in Dhaka.

Built during the Mughal reign, this historical monument located near the Doyel Chattar area of Dhaka University served as the city's sole entrance from the 17th to early 19th century.

This gate is considered as one of the integral parts of the history of Dhaka.

According to popular belief, during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Dhaka was expanding. Mir Jumla constructed the gate as the north entrance of Dhaka, ascertaining the northern border of Dhaka with it.

The gate was once a remarkable piece of Mughal architecture in the capital Dhaka and was used to enter the city after arriving on the bank of Buriganga River. The gate was probably meant to guard the city from the north from the attacks of Magh pirates. It was severely damaged and later rebuilt by magistrate Charles Dawes in 1825 AD. It is currently in the University of Dhaka campus area near Curzon Hall and Shishu Academy. One of its three parts is now in the area of Centre for Renewable Energy Research and another part stands inside the premises of Mausoleum of three leaders.

 
Adnan Hadi is a senior journalist
mainly writing on archeological
sites and sports.