Tale of an Incomplete Fortress: Lalbagh Fort - Raiya Shabnab Miaji - SDG 360

Tale of an Incomplete
Fortress: Lalbagh Fort

      Raiya Shabnab Miaji

INTRODUCTION

In the heart of old Dhaka stands Lalbagh Fort, the incomplete fortress of the Mughal times. It is the most
important fortress of the Mughal period, built in Bangladesh. The fortress stands on the southwestern
part of Dhaka city, on the bank of the Buriganga river. It is one of the heritage sites documented in the
UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. The construction of this fortress was initiated in 1678, when
Mughal Prince Azam Shah, the third son of Emperor Aurangzeb, was appointed as the Subedar of
Bengal. But he had left it halfway constructed as he was ordered to accompany his father in India. Later
on, his successor, Subedar Shaista Khan, continued to build the fortress. But tragedy struck him when his
daughter, Pari Bibi, was dead, and the locals, including the Subedar himself, started considering the
place as a cursed place. The fortress remained incomplete since then. But it has become one of the most
important witnesses to represent the rich culture and tradition of the Mughal rulers in the 17th century.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS REPORT

The objective of this report is to explore the Heritage site at Lalbagh Fort and identify its existing
challenges through thorough research of the place. The research includes personal experience, views of
the locals and tourists and the overall environment of the place.

METHODOLOGY

The research is based on relevant evidence from the site and secondary data available in different
documents and books. Firstly, thorough research has been done using secondary data available on the
internet and few books for a better understanding of the heritage site. Secondly, a field survey was done
to better understand and gain a practical experience about the place and its surroundings.

RESULT:

The 400 years old incomplete fortress is three-storeyed with two main gateways and a wall that is
partially damaged and was meant to be a soldiers' barracks. The three buildings - Diwan-i-Aam and the
hammam in the east, the mosque in the west, and the tomb of Pari Bibi in between are connected with
a water tank. The landscape inside portrays the Persian garden style of “Charbagh” (quadrilateral
garden), which Mughals Emperors bought in vogue at their times.

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Figure: Birds Eye View of Lalbagh Fort. Source: https://thebongoproject.wordpress.com/2019/02/03/lalbagh-
                                              fort-aka-killa-aurangabad/

The remnants of the place still find a way to stand radiantly amidst the crowded urban infrastructures of
old Dhaka. Although the place is very well maintained by the authorities and the locals are also very
pleased with its environment, the heritage site is losing its radiance due to a lack of proper
infrastructure management. Some of the urban infrastructures seem to obstruct the old remnants of the
fort.

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Figure: Unplanned urban infrastructures near the Fort

The unplanned buildings or markets near the place make it endangered. The gates are blocked by an
overwhelming crowd of markets and residents about a foot away from the heritage site. This
mismanagement makes the chances of Lalbagh Fort to be listed as one of the World Heritage Sites. The
hygiene and cleanliness of the place are somewhat satisfactory, but no proper arrangement is made for
the natural calamities. Natural disasters might damage the old infrastructures of the fort. The outside of
the fort makes it difficult for the tourists to find out the inner beauty of the place. The gates are
overwhelmed with posters of different political parties, hawkers, and beggars.

The essence of the Persian garden style is nowhere to be found as the gardens are somehow
maintained, and the trees are grown without any pattern. The water bodies are dried up, and due to
public access to the park area and museum, the place faces many sorts of vandalism.

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Figure: Dilapidated infrastructures and ill-maintained plantation inside the fort

                             Figure: Dried up water bodies

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The overall condition of the place might be okay to be recognised as a public park but not as a heritage
site.

CONCLUSION

To keep history alive forever, proper conservation is needed. Starting with the outer beauty of the fort,
walls outside the fort should be well maintained with strict security so that no vandalism may occur. The
entrance gates can be reconstructed to give it a sophisticated look. The adjacent localities can be
reconstructed, which would save the heritage site from endangerment. Now coming to the inner
maintenance of the fort, the authentic Persian garden look of Charbagh can be recreated with proper
plantation. The old infrastructures should be made resistant to natural calamities. The public places
must be well secured to check all kinds of vandalism occurring there. Finally, the residents, including all
citizens, should be made aware of the importance of preserving our heritage and our tradition.

REFERENCES

    1.  Mughal gardens - Wikipedia. (2021). Retrieved 31 March 2021, from
       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_gardens
    2. Scholarworks.umass.edu. 2021. [online] Available at:
        [Accessed 31
       March 2021].

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