Hajiganj Fort is a place of ancient time

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.


To ensure the security of Dhaka at 17th century, three water forts were built which was altogether called "Triangular Fort"; Hajiganj fort was one of those. 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.


The holes are wider meant probably for 'gun firing at the pirates proceeding up the river'. In a corner of the fort enclosure there is a tall free standing square column of brick which must have been used for observation and placing guns in the rainy season. The only entrance is situated at its northern wall. There is no roof or shelters for the soldiers, historians think that soldiers stayed at the fort under the tents. To watch the 17th century's architectural design and security measure for the capital, smell the life-style of the army, one can visit the fort.


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. The watch tower is damaged badly and the stairs are falling apart already.

Walls of the fort are decayed as well. Local boys play here at day time and at night the fort is occupied by the drug addicted and muggers. At any cost, we need to save the heritage and architectural beauty of the Mughal Empire.