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'{{short description|Mother Fucker Bangladesh}} {{About|the capital city|the division|Dhaka division|the district|Dhaka district|other uses|Dhaka (disambiguation)}} {{Distinguish|text=Senegal’s capital city [[Dakar]]}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{use Bangladeshi English|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox settlement <!-- Basic info -->| name = Dhaka | native_name = ঢাকা | other_name = Dacca | settlement_type = [[Capital city|Capital]] of [[Bangladesh]] | image_skyline = {{Photomontage|position=center | photo1a = Dhaka 14th March (32624769393).jpg | photo2a = National Assembly (25967498804).jpg | photo2b = DG 91 - 09 AHSAN MANJIL 18 CENTURY DHAKA IMG 3022.jpg | photo3a = Curzon Hall - Northern Facade - University of Dhaka - Dhaka 2015-05-31 1992.JPG | photo3b = Lalbagh fort.jpg | photo4a = Dhaka 21st March (25870222381).jpg | spacing = | color_border = white | color = | size = 260 | foot_montage = {{nobreak|From top: View of [[Paltan Thana|Paltan]]}},<br />[[Sangsad Bhaban]] in [[Sher-e-Bangla Nagar]], [[Ahsan Manzil]] in [[Old Dhaka]],<br />[[Curzon Hall]] at [[University of Dhaka]],<br />[[Lalbagh Fort]], aerial view of [[Hatirjheel]] lakefront}} | image_seal = Dhaka City Corporation logo Trans.svg | shield_size = Dhaka City Corporation logo Trans.svg | motto = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Bangladesh Dhaka#Bangladesh Dhaka division#Bangladesh#Asia#Earth | pushpin_label_position = centre | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Dhaka in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh | coordinates = {{coord|23|45|50|N|90|23|20|E|region:BD-13|display=it}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Bangladesh]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Divisions of Bangladesh|Division]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Bangladesh|District]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Dhaka Division]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Dhaka District]] <!-- Politics ----------------->| established_title = Establishment | established_date = 1608 [[Common Era|CE]] | established_title2 = Granted city status | established_date2 = 1947 | established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> | established_date3 = <!-- Area ---------------------> | government_footnotes = | government_type = [[Mayor-Council government|Mayor - Council]] | governing_body = {{nowrap|[[Dhaka North City Corporation|DNCC]] and [[Dhaka South City Corporation|DSCC]]}} | unit_pref = Metric <!-- Enter: Metric, if Metric (imperial) is desired --> | area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite news |author1=Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee |author2=Mahbubur Rahman Khan |date=7 May 2016 |title=Govt to double size of Dhaka city area |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/govt-double-size-dhaka-city-area-1219972 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302025916/http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/govt-double-size-dhaka-city-area-1219972 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dhaka City expands by more than double after inclusion of 16 union councils |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/05/09/dhaka-city-expands-by-more-than-double-after-inclusion-of-16-union-councils |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302025316/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/05/09/dhaka-city-expands-by-more-than-double-after-inclusion-of-16-union-councils |url-status=live }}</ref> | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_metro_km2 = 2161.17<ref name="wikimapia.org">{{Cite web |url=http://wikimapia.org/26768999/Dhaka-Metropolitan-City-Area |title=Dhaka Metropolitan City Area |access-date=29 September 2017 |archive-date=29 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929093019/http://wikimapia.org/26768999/Dhaka-Metropolitan-City-Area |url-status=live }}</ref> | area_metro_sq_mi = 834.432<ref name="wikimapia.org"/> <!-- Population ----------------------->| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="Elevation of Dhaka">{{cite web|url=http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/maps/map_city_dhaka.html|title=Dhaka, Bangladesh Map|work=National Geographic|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=7 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107084813/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/maps/map_city_dhaka.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | elevation_m = 4 | elevation_ft = 13.12 | population_total = 8,906,039 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_footnotes = <ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/bangladesh-dhaka.php] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730145817/https://www.citypopulation.de/php/bangladesh-dhaka.php |date=30 July 2017 }} sum for 41 thanas of Dhaka city, not including 5 upazilas of Dhaka district</ref><ref name="dhakapop1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/National%20Reports/Union%20Statistics.pdf |title=Population & Housing Census-2011 |publisher=[[Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics]] |page=41 |access-date=15 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044832/http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/National%20Reports/Union%20Statistics.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2015 }}</ref> | population_rank = [[List of cities and towns in Bangladesh|1st]] | population_metro = 21,006,000 | population_density_km2 = 29,105 | population_density_metro_km2 = auto | population_metro_footnotes = | population_demonym = Dhakaite, [[Dhakaiya]] | postal_code_type = [[List of postal codes in Bangladesh|Postal code]] | postal_code = 1000, 1100, 12xx, 13xx | area_code = | website = [http://dncc.gov.bd/ Dhaka North City Corporation] <br /> [http://dscc.gov.bd/ Dhaka South City Corporation] | footnotes = | leader_title1 = [[Dhaka North City Corporation|North City Mayor]] | leader_name1 = [[Atiqul Islam]]<ref name="unofficially">{{cite news |title=Hasan Mahmud states 3 reasons behind low voter turnout |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/dhaka-city-elections-2020/news/hasan-mahmud-states-3-reasons-behind-low-voter-turnout-1862512 |work=The Daily Star |agency=UNB |date=2 February 2020 |access-date=2 February 2020 |archive-date=2 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132114/https://www.thedailystar.net/dhaka-city-elections-2020/news/hasan-mahmud-states-3-reasons-behind-low-voter-turnout-1862512 |url-status=live }}</ref> | leader_title2 = [[Dhaka South City Corporation|South City Mayor]] | leader_name2 = [[Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh]]<ref name="unofficially" /> | population_blank1_footnotes = <ref>[http://www.newgeography.com/content/003004-evolving-urban-form-dhaka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611103831/http://www.newgeography.com/content/003004-evolving-urban-form-dhaka |date=11 June 2013 }}.</ref> | population_blank2_footnotes = <ref name="District Statistics 2011, Dhaka">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/District%20Statistics/Dhaka.pdf|title=District Statistics 2011, Dhaka|publisher=Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics|date=December 2013|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424233706/http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/District%20Statistics/Dhaka.pdf|archive-date=24 April 2015}}</ref> <!-- General information --------------->| timezone = [[Bangladesh Standard Time|BST]] | utc_offset = +6 | blank_name = National calling code | blank_info = +880 | blank1_name = [[Telephone numbers in Bangladesh|Calling code]] | blank1_info = 02 [For Dhaka city only] | blank2_name = [[Gross domestic product|Metro GDP]] | blank2_info = | blank3_name = Police | blank3_info = [[Dhaka Metropolitan Police]] | blank4_name = International airport | blank4_info = [[Shahjalal International Airport|Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport]] | blank5_name = [[ISO 3166-2:BD|ISO 3166-2]] | blank5_info = BD-13 | blank_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2019) | blank_info_sec1 = 0.711<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/BGD/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref><br/>{{color|#008000|high}} | official_name = | area_urban_km2 = 306 | nickname = City of magic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/climate-change/2019/12/10/the-tales-of-urban-street-children-is-there-anything-we-could-do|title = The tales of urban street children: Is there anything we could do?|date = 10 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/my-dhaka/are-we-willing-know-more-dhaka-1570981|title = Are we willing to know more of Dhaka?|date = 4 May 2018}}</ref> }} '''Dhaka''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|ɑː|k|ə}} {{respell|DAH|kə}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|æ|k|ə}} {{respell|DAK|ə}}; {{lang-bn|ঢাকা|Ḍhākā}}, {{IPA-bn|ˈɖʱaka}}), [[List of renamed places in Bangladesh|formerly known as]] '''Dacca''',<ref name="Choguill2012">{{cite book|last=Choguill|first=C.L.|title=New Communities for Urban Squatters: Lessons from the Plan That Failed in Dhaka, Bangladesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slvlBwAAQBAJ&pg=PR8|year=2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-4613-1863-7|page=viii|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-date=5 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605175215/https://books.google.com/books?id=slvlBwAAQBAJ&pg=PR8|url-status=live}}</ref> is the [[Capital city|capital]] and the largest city of [[Bangladesh]], as well as the largest city in the [[Bengal]] region. It is the [[List of largest cities|ninth-largest]] and the [[List of cities by population density|sixth-most densely populous city]] in the world with, as of 2011, a population of 8.9&nbsp;million residents<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population & Housing Census-2011 |volume=2: Union Statistics |url=http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/National%20Reports/Union%20Statistics.pdf |website=Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044832/http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/National%20Reports/Union%20Statistics.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=2021-05-17}}</ref> within the city limits, and a population of over 21&nbsp;million residents in the [[Greater Dhaka Area]]. Dhaka is the economic, political, and cultural center of Bangladesh, and is one of the major cities in [[South Asia]], the largest city in [[Eastern South Asia]] and among the [[Countries dependent on the Bay of Bengal|Bay of Bengal countries]]; and one of the largest cities among [[List of largest cities in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member countries|OIC countries]]. As part of the Bengal plain, the city is bounded by the [[Buriganga River]], [[Turag River]], [[Dhaleshwari River]] and [[Shitalakshya River]]. The area of Dhaka has been inhabited since the first millennium. The city rose to prominence in the 17th century as a provincial capital and commercial center of the [[Mughal Empire]]. Dhaka was the capital of the [[proto-industrialization|proto-industrialised]] [[Mughal Bengal]] for 75 years (1608–39 and 1660–1704). As the center of the [[muslin trade in Bengal]], it was one of the most prosperous cities in the world. The medieval city was named Jahangirabad in honor of the Mughal Emperor [[Jahangir]] and hosted the seat of the Mughal [[Subahdar]], [[Naib Nazim of Dhaka|Naib Nazims]] and [[Dewan]]s. Medieval Dhaka's glory peaked in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was home to merchants from across [[Eurasia]]. It was the centre of a flourishing sea trade attracting European traders. The Mughals decorated the city with well-laid out gardens, tombs, mosques, palaces and forts. The city was once called the ''[[Venice of the East]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hough |first=Michael |year=2004 |title=Cities and Natural Process: A Basis for Sustainability |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pj8cderhbr8C&pg=PA57 |publisher=Psychology Press |page=57 |isbn=978-0-415-29854-4 |access-date=26 August 2017 |archive-date=19 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319115701/https://books.google.com/books?id=pj8cderhbr8C&pg=PA57 |url-status=live}}</ref> Under [[British Raj|British rule]], the city saw the introduction of [[electricity]], [[railway]]s, [[Movie theater|cinema]]s, Western-style universities and colleges and a modern water supply. It became an important administrative and educational center in British Raj, as the capital of [[Eastern Bengal and Assam]] province after 1905.<ref name=dani>{{citation| title=Dacca – A record of its changing fortunes| first=Ahmad| last=Dani| publisher=Mrs. Safiya S Dani| year=1962| page=119| url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/22374453/Dacca-by-Ahmad-Hasan-Dani| access-date=9 September 2017| archive-date=30 May 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530073417/https://www.scribd.com/doc/22374453/Dacca-by-Ahmad-Hasan-Dani| url-status=live}}</ref> In 1947, after the end of British rule, the city became the administrative capital of [[East Pakistan]]. It was declared as the legislative capital of Pakistan in 1962. In 1971, after the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|Liberation War]], it became the capital of an independent Bangladesh. Dhaka is the [[financial centre|financial]], commercial and the entertainment capital of Bangladesh, and accounts for up to 35% of [[Economy of Bangladesh|Bangladesh's economy]].<ref name="Rezaul Karim" /> Since its establishment as a modern capital city the population, area, social and economic diversity of Dhaka have grown tremendously. The city is now one of the most densely industrialized regions in Bangladesh. Dhaka is a major [[Global city|beta-global city]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |website=GaWC - Research Network |publisher=Globalization and World Cities |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824031341/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as it hosts the headquarters of several international corporations. By the 21st century, it emerged as a [[megacity]]. The [[Dhaka Stock Exchange]] has over 750 listed companies. The city hosts over 50 [[List of diplomatic missions in Bangladesh|diplomatic missions]] and the headquarters of [[BIMSTEC]]. The city's culture is known for its [[Rickshaw|rickshaws]], [[Bangladeshi cuisine|cuisine]], [[Bangladeshi art|art festivals]] and religious diversity. The [[Old Dhaka|old city]] is home to around 2000 buildings from the Mughal and British periods, including notable structures such as the [[Bara Katra]] and [[Choto Katra]] caravansaries. == Etymology == The origins of the name Dhaka are uncertain. Once ''[[Butea monosperma|dhak]]'' trees were very common in the area and the name may have originated from it. Alternatively, this name may refer to the hidden Hindu goddess Dhakeshwari, whose [[Dhakeshwari Temple|temple]] is located in the south-western part of the city.<ref name="Britannica-Dhaka">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/160598/Dhaka|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|title=Dhaka|access-date=4 February 2013|archive-date=16 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116092341/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/160598/Dhaka|url-status=live}}</ref> Another popular theory states that Dhaka refers to a [[membranophone]] instrument, ''[[Dhak (instrument)|dhak]]'' which was played by order of [[Subahdar]] [[Islam Khan I]] during the inauguration of the Bengal capital in 1610.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Islam_Khan_Chisti|publisher=[[Banglapedia]]|title=Islam Khan Chisti|access-date=4 February 2013|archive-date=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202002132/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Islam_Khan_Chisti|url-status=live}}</ref> Some references also say it was derived from a [[Prakrit]] dialect called Dhaka Bhasa; or Dhakka, used in the [[Rajtarangini]] for a watch-station; or it is the same as Davaka, mentioned in the [[Allahabad]] pillar inscription of [[Samudragupta]] as an eastern frontier kingdom.<ref name="banglapedia">{{cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=A.M. |publisher=Banglapedia |date=23 April 2007 |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dhaka |title=Dhaka |access-date=23 April 2007 |archive-date=16 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516050956/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dhaka |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Rajatarangini]] written by a Kashmiri Brahman, [[Kalhana]],<ref name="Mamoon 2010">{{cite book |last=Mamoon |first=Muntassir |author-link=Muntassir Mamoon |year=2010 |orig-year=First published 1993 |title=Dhaka: Smiriti Bismiritir Nogori |publisher=Anannya |page=94}}</ref> the region was originally known as ''Dhakka''. The word ''Dhakka'' means ''watchtower''. [[Bikrampur]] and [[Sonargaon]]—the earlier strongholds of Bengal rulers were situated nearby. So Dhaka was most likely used as the watchtower for the fortification purpose.<ref name="Mamoon 2010" /> ==History== {{main|History of Dhaka|Timeline of Dhaka}} [[File:Lalbagh Kella (Lalbagh Fort) Dhaka Bangladesh 2011 54.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Ruins of [[Lalbagh Fort]]]] [[File:Renaldis muslin woman.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A Bengali woman wearing [[muslin]] in Dhaka in 1789]] [[File:Old Highcourt Bhaban (2).JPG|thumb|left|upright|[[Old High Court Building, Dhaka|Old High Court of Dacca]]]] The history of urban settlements in the area of modern-day Dhaka dates to the first millennium.<ref name="Britannica-Dhaka"/> The region was part of the ancient district of [[Bikrampur]], which was ruled by the [[Sena dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web | author = Dhaka City Corporation | date = 5 September 2006 | url = http://www.dhakacity.org/his_pre_mughal.html | title = Pre-Mughal Dhaka (before 1608) | access-date = 1 December 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080410184215/http://www.dhakacity.org/his_pre_mughal.html | archive-date = 10 April 2008 }}</ref> Under [[Islamic]] rule, it became part of the historic district of [[Sonargaon]], the regional administrative hub of the [[Delhi Sultanate|Delhi]] and the [[Bengal Sultanate]]s.<ref name="archive.thedailystar.net">{{cite news |title=From Jahangirnagar to Dhaka |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/forum/2008/august/jahangirnagar.htm |url-status=live |department=Forum |work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208123832/http://archive.thedailystar.net/forum/2008/august/jahangirnagar.htm |archive-date=8 February 2015 |access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> The [[Grand Trunk Road]] passed through the region, connecting it with [[North India]], Central Asia and the southeastern port city of Chittagong. The [[Mughal Empire]] governed the region during the [[early modern]] period. Under Mughal rule, the [[Old Dhaka|Old City of Dhaka]] grew on the banks of the Buriganga River. Dhaka was proclaimed the capital of Mughal Bengal in 1608. [[Islam Khan I|Islam Khan Chishti]] was the first administrator of the city.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Kraas |editor-first=Frauke |editor-last2=Aggarwal |editor-first2=Surinder |editor-last3=Coy |editor-first3=Martin |editor-last4=Mertins |editor-first4=Günter |year=2013 |title=Megacities: Our Global Urban Future |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwHFBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA60 |publisher=Springer |pages=60 |isbn=978-90-481-3417-5}}</ref> Khan named it "Jahangir Nagar" (''City of Jahangir'') in honour of the [[Jahangir|Emperor Jahangir]]. The name was dropped soon after the English conquered. The main expansion of the city took place under Mughal governor [[Shaista Khan]]. The city then measured {{convert|19|by|13|km}}, with a population of nearly one million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dspace.bracu.ac.bd/bitstream/handle/10361/2055/SOC%20Report-%2005-07-12.pdf?sequence=1 |title=State of Cities: Urban Governance in Dhaka |date=May 2012 |website=BRAC University |access-date=16 February 2015 |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216192205/http://dspace.bracu.ac.bd/bitstream/handle/10361/2055/SOC%20Report-%2005-07-12.pdf?sequence=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dhaka was one of the largest and most prosperous cities in South Asia.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shay |first=Christopher |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110815-saving-dhakas-heritage |title=Travel – Saving Dhaka's heritage |work=BBC |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205130440/http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110815-saving-dhakas-heritage |url-status=live }}</ref> It grew into a regional economic center during the 17th and 18th centuries, serving as a hub for Eurasian traders, including Bengalis, [[Marwari people|Marwaris]], [[Kashmiris]], [[Gujarati people|Gujaratis]], [[Armenian community of Dhaka|Armenians]], [[Arabs]], [[Persians]], [[Greeks]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]], [[French people|French]], [[English people|English]], and the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]].<ref name="archive.thedailystar.net" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Colley |first=Linda |year=2009 |title=The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh: A Woman in World History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XjpQjWwNJHEC&pg=PT262 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |pages=262– |isbn=978-0-307-53944-1}}</ref><ref>Muntassir Mamoon, Ḍhākā Nagara Jādughara. [https://books.google.com/books?id=MdoEAQAAIAAJ&q=greek+traders+in+dhaka&dq=greek+traders+in+dhaka&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAGoVChMIwvej6oHuyAIVBmIPCh3Bzgzm ''Ḍhākā granthamālā''] Vol. '''11''' Ḍhākā Nagara Jādughara, 1991 (original from the [[University of California]], digitalized 2008). pp 18–20</ref> The city was a center of the worldwide [[muslin]], [[cotton]] and [[jute]] industries, with 80,000 skilled weavers.<ref name="thedailystar1">{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/politics/which-india-claiming-have-been-colonised-119284 |title=Which India is claiming to have been colonizsed? |work=The Daily Star |type=Op-ed |date=31 July 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328220449/https://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/politics/which-india-claiming-have-been-colonised-119284 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city had well-laid out gardens, monuments, mosques, temples, bazars, churches and [[caravansaries]]. The [[Bara Katra]] was the largest caravansary. The riverbanks were dotted with tea houses and numerous stately mansions. Eurasian traders built neighborhoods in [[Farashganj]] (French Bazaar), [[Armanitola]] (Armenian Quarter) and [[Postogola]] (Portuguese Quarter). Bengal was an affluent region in the [[Mughal era]]. According to economic historian [[Indrajit Ray]], it was globally prominent in industries such as [[textile manufacturing]] and [[shipbuilding]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Indrajit Ray |year=2011 |title=Bengal Industries and the British Industrial Revolution (1757-1857) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CHOrAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 |publisher=Routledge |pages=57, 90, 174 |isbn=978-1-136-82552-1 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=29 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529021839/https://books.google.com/books?id=CHOrAgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was an exporter of [[silk]] and [[cotton]] textiles, [[steel]], [[saltpeter]], and [[agricultural]] and industrial produce.<ref name="thedailystar1"/> With the defeat of the [[Nawab of Bengal]] at the [[Battle of Buxar]] in 1764, the [[East India Company]] gained the right to collect taxes from the principality of Bengal. The city formally passed to the control of the EIC in 1793 and Dhaka became connected to the mercantile networks of the [[British Empire]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Srangio |first=Sebastian |date=1 October 2010 |title=Dhaka: Saving Old Dhaka's Landmarks |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/letters/dhaka-saving-old-dhaka’s-landmarks |magazine=The Caravan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909110251/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/letters/dhaka-saving-old-dhaka%E2%80%99s-landmarks |archive-date=9 September 2015}}</ref> With the dawn of the [[Industrial Revolution]] in [[United Kingdom|Britain]], Dhaka became a leading center of the [[jute trade]], as Bengal accounted for the largest share of the world's [[jute]] production.<ref name="worldviewcities.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldviewcities.org/dhaka/unconcealed.html|title=WORLDVIEW|access-date=14 August 2015|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413054048/http://worldviewcities.org/dhaka/unconcealed.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:DhakaCity1861.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Dhaka, or Dacca, under [[British Raj|British rule]] in 1861.]] Dhaka suffered stagnation and decline beginning during the mid 19th century. Its muslin industry was destroyed by high rates of taxation, restriction of trade and forced imports of foreign-manufactured textiles. Many of the city's weavers starved to death in [[famine]]s.<ref name="thedailystar1" /> The rapid growth of the capital of the Raj, [[Kolkata|Calcutta]], caused a sharp decline in Dhaka's population, with the city experiencing a significant economic downturn. In 1824, an Anglican bishop described Dhaka as a ''city of magnificent ruins''.<ref>Lalbagh Kella (Lalbagh Fort) Dhaka Bangladesh 2011 54.JPG</ref> During the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian mutiny of 1857]], the city witnessed revolts by the [[Bengal Army]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rare-1857-reports-on-Bengal-uprisings/articleshow/4637780.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Rare 1857 reports on Bengal uprisings | access-date=14 August 2015 | archive-date=5 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105205019/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rare-1857-reports-on-Bengal-uprisings/articleshow/4637780.cms | url-status=live }}</ref> [[British Raj|Direct rule by the British crown]] was established following the successful quelling of the mutiny. It bestowed privileges on the Dhaka Nawab Family, which dominated the city's political and social elite. The [[Dhaka Cantonment]] was established as a base for the [[British Indian Army]]. The [[British people|British]] developed the modern city around [[Ramna]], [[Shahbag]] Garden and [[Bahadur Shah Park|Victoria Park]]. A modern civic water system was introduced in 1874.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dwasa.org.bd/index.php/home/history |title=Dhaka WASA |publisher=Dwasa.org.bd |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=6 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206090551/http://dwasa.org.bd/index.php/home/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1885, the Dhaka State Railway was opened with a 144&nbsp;km metre gauge (1000&nbsp;mm) rail line connecting [[Mymensingh]] and the [[Port of Narayanganj]] through Dhaka.<ref name="en.banglapedia.org">{{Cite web |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Railway |title=Railway |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010143242/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Railway |url-status=live }}</ref> The city later became a hub of the [[Eastern Bengal Railway|Eastern Bengal State Railway]].<ref name="en.banglapedia.org"/> The first [[film]] shown in Dhaka was screened on the riverfront Crown Theatre on 17 April 1898.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Film,_Feature |title=Film, Feature |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926202745/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Film,_Feature |url-status=live }}</ref> The film show was organized by the [[Bedford Bioscope Company]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The electricity supply began in 1901.<ref name="tusher.kobiraj.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.tusher.kobiraj.com/history-electricity-bangladesh.html |title=History of Electricity in Bangladesh &#124; Thcapriciousboy |publisher=Tusher.kobiraj.com |date=18 July 2013 |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216195149/http://www.tusher.kobiraj.com/history-electricity-bangladesh.html |archive-date=16 February 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[File:Dhaka during British rule 1924.jpg|thumb|Map of Dhaka in 1924]] Some of the early educational institutions established during the period of British Rule include the [[Dhaka College]], the [[Sir Salimullah Medical College|Dhaka Medical School]], the [[Eden Mohila College|Eden College]], [[St Gregory's High School|St. Gregory's School]], the Mohsinia Madrasa, [[Jagannath University|Jagannath College]] and the [[Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology|Ahsanullah School of Engineering]]. [[Horse racing]] was a favorite pastime for elite residents in the city's Ramna Race Course beside the [[Dhaka Club]]. The [[Viceroy of India]] would often dine and entertain with Bengali aristocrats in the city. [[Automobile]]s began appearing after the turn of the century. By the early-20th century, Dhaka projected itself as the standard bearer of Muslim minorities in [[British Raj|British India]]; as opposed to the heavily Hindu-dominated city of [[Kolkata]] .<ref name="worldviewcities.org"/> During the abortive [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|Partition of Bengal]] in 1905, Dhaka became the short-lived capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam. In 1906, the [[All India Muslim League]] was formed at the [[Ahsan Manzil]], during a [[All India Muhammadan Educational Conference|conference]] on liberal education hosted by [[Khwaja Salimullah|Nawab Sir Khawja Salimullah]]. Bengal was reunited in 1911. The [[University of Dhaka]] was established in 1921 by an Act passed in the [[Imperial Legislative Council]]. It started with 3 faculties and 12 departments, covering the subjects of Sanskrit, Bengali, English, education, history, Arabic, Islamic studies, Persian, Urdu, philosophy, economics, politics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and law. The East Bengal Cinematograph Company produced the first full-length [[silent film|silent movies]] in Dhaka during the 1920s, including ''[[Sukumari]]'' and ''The Last Kiss''.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> DEVCO, a subsidiary of the Occtavian Steel Company, began wide scale power distribution in 1930.<ref name="tusher.kobiraj.com"/> The [[Tejgaon Airport]] was constructed during [[World War II]] as a base for [[Allies of World War II|Allied Forces]]. The [[Dhaka Medical College]] was established in 1946. [[File:Bibi Mariam Cannon, Dhaka in the late 1950s.jpg|thumb|Dhaka in the 1950s. The picture shows the [[clock tower]] of the [[RAJUK Bhaban|DIT Building]] and the [[Bibi Mariam Cannon]]]] [[File:Central Dacca in East Pakistan.jpg|thumb|Dhaka's central business district in the 1960s]] [[File:Motijheel, Dhaka, 1980s.jpg|thumb|Motijheel CBD in 1980's]] With the [[Partition of Bengal (1947)|Partition of Bengal]] (as part of the wider [[Partition of India]]) in 1947, Dhaka became the capital of [[East Bengal]] (1947–1955) and [[East Pakistan]] (1955–1971). It hosted the [[East Pakistan Provincial Assembly|largest legislature]] in Pakistan, as East Bengalis compromised the majority of the new state's population. Dhaka's urban population increased dramatically because of Muslim migration from across Bengal and other parts of the subcontinent.<ref name="Richards2003">{{Cite journal |last=Richards |first=John |date=July–September 2003 |title=Calcutta and Dhaka: A Tale of Two Cities |url=http://www.cdrb.org/journal/2003/3/3.pdf |journal=Asian Affairs |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=49–57 |access-date=1 March 2015 |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216201250/http://www.cdrb.org/journal/2003/3/3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dhaka began to see rapid urban expansion from the 1950s. The [[Dhaka Stock Exchange|East Pakistan Stock Exchange Association]] was formed on 28 April 1954 and later became the Dhaka Stock Exchange. [[Orient Airways]], founded by the East Pakistani industrialist [[Mirza Ahmad Ispahani]], began the first commercial flight between Dhaka and [[Karachi]] on 6 June 1954. The airline later evolved into [[Pakistan International Airlines]]. The [[RAJUK|Dhaka Improvement Trust]] was established in 1956 to coordinate the city's development. The first master plan for the city was drawn up in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://open_jicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11996774_06.pdf |title=Part II: Formulation of Urban and Transport Plan |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212084236/http://open_jicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11996774_06.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Several countries opened consulates in Dhaka, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, the [[Soviet Union]] and China. The [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organization]] established a research center (now called [[ICDDR,B]]) for combating disease in 1960. As early as 1947, there were demands for Dhaka to host the parliament of the federation of Pakistan. [[Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah]] stated that the country's Constituent Assembly should meet in East Bengal due to the region's large population. In 1962, President [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]] designated Dhaka as the seat of the proposed National Assembly outlined in the 1962 Constitution. The government appointed [[Louis Kahn]] and [[Muzharul Islam]] to design a capitol complex in Dhaka. The city was declared as the country's legislative capital.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Ayub Nagar-Second Capital of Pakistan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hFIdAQAAMAAJ |magazine=Pakistan Affairs |volume=21 |issue=1 |date=January 1968 |publisher=Information Division, Embassy of Pakistan |page=19 |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223091257/https://books.google.com/books?id=hFIdAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[InterContinental Dhaka|Inter-Continental Hotel of Dhaka]], designed by [[William B. Tabler]], opened in 1966 in Ramna. The [[East Pakistan Helicopter Service]] connected Dhaka with other regional cities as part of the largest commercial helicopter network in the world. The [[Awami League]] was formed at the [[Rose Garden Palace]], in 1949 as the [[Bengalis|Bengali]] alternative to the domination of the [[Muslim League (Pakistan)|Muslim League]] in Pakistan. Growing political, cultural and economic rifts emerged between the two wings of the country. The [[Bengali Language Movement]] reached its peak in 1952.<ref name="Richards2003" /> Dhaka remained a center of revolutionary and political activity, as student activism and demands for autonomy increased. The [[Six point movement]] in 1966 was widely supported by the city's residents. The city had an influential press with prominent newspapers like the ''[[The Daily Ittefaq|Ittefaq]]'' and the ''[[Weekly Holiday]]''. During the political and constitutional crisis in 1971, the [[military junta]] led by [[Yahya Khan]] refused to transfer power to the newly elected National Assembly, causing mass riots, civil disobedience and a movement for [[self-determination]]. On 7 March 1971, Awami League leader [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] addressed a massive public gathering at the [[Suhrawardy Udyan|Ramna Race Course Maidan]] in Dhaka, in which he warned of an independence struggle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/culture/people-of-bangladesh/sheikh-mujibur-rahman/ |title=Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |publisher=Virtual Bangladesh |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216193211/http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/culture/people-of-bangladesh/sheikh-mujibur-rahman/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Richards2003" /> Subsequently, East Pakistan came under a [[Examples of civil disobedience#Bangladesh (East Pakistan)|non-co-operation]] movement against the [[Pakistan|Pakistani state]]. On Pakistan's Republic Day (23 March 1971), [[Flag of Bangladesh|Bangladeshi flags]] were hoisted throughout Dhaka in a show of resistance.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thorpe |first1=Edgar |year=2012 |title=The Pearson General Knowledge Manual 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I9OyQ9mEpxkC&pg=SL1-PA125 |page=A.125 |isbn=978-81-317-6190-8 |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118102206/https://books.google.com/books?id=I9OyQ9mEpxkC&pg=SL1-PA125&lpg=SL1-PA125&q=23+march+1971+republic+day+east+pakistan |url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 March 1971, the [[Pakistan Army]] launched military operations under [[Operation Searchlight]] against the population of East Pakistan.<ref name="books.google.com.bd">{{cite book |last1=Jahan |first1=Rounaq |author-link=Rounaq Jahan |chapter=Genocide in Bangladesh |year=2013 |editor-last1=Totten |editor-first1=Samuel |editor-last2=Parsons |editor-first2=William Spencer |title=Centuries of Genocide: Essays and Eyewitness Accounts |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6XYp-z5aP4MC&pg=PA254 |edition=4th |page=254 |isbn=978-0-415-87191-4 |access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> Dhaka bore the brunt of the army's atrocities, witnessing a [[1971 Bangladesh genocide|genocide]] and a campaign of wide scale repression, with the arrest, torture and murder of the city's civilians, students, [[intelligentsia]], political activists and religious minorities. The army faced [[mutiny|mutinies]] from the [[East Pakistan Rifles]] and the Bengali police.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nandi |first1=Bibhuti Bhusan |year=2007 |chapter=Low-Intensity War |editor-last1=Gupta |editor-first1=Jyoti Bhusan Das |title=Science, Technology, Imperialism, and War |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EJuM4FylchwC&pg=PA732 |page=732 |isbn=978-81-317-0851-4 |access-date=18 February 2015 }}</ref> Large parts of the city were burnt and destroyed, including Hindu neighborhoods.<ref name="books.google.com.bd"/> Much of the city's population was either displaced or forced to flee to the countryside.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1151151 |title=Fall of Dhaka: Memories of a bloody December – Pakistan |work=Dawn |date=16 December 2014 |location=Pakistan |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=30 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130124156/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151151 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the ensuing Bangladesh War of Independence, the Bangladesh Forces launched regular [[guerrilla]] attacks and ambush operations against Pakistani forces. Dhaka was struck with numerous air raids by the [[Indian Air Force]] in [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|December]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Salik |first=Siddiq |date=1997 |title=Witness to Surrender |isbn=984-05-1374-5}}</ref>{{page needed|date=March 2021}} Dhaka witnessed the surrender of the west Pakistan forces in front of the [[Mitro Bahini|Bangladesh-India Allied Forces]] on 16 December 1971 with the [[surrender of Pakistan]].<ref>Jacob, Lt. Gen. JFR, Surrender at Dacca:Birth of a Nation</ref> [[File:Rajoshik.jpg|thumb|The Rajoshik sculpture, in front of the [[InterContinental Dhaka]], displays a horse carriage that was once common in the city]] Dhaka was declared the national capital by the [[Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh]] in 1972. The post-independence period witnessed rapid growth as Dhaka attracted migrant workers from across rural [[Bangladesh]]. 60% of population growth has been due to rural migration.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/dhaka-population/ |title=Dhaka Population 2020 |access-date=30 January 2017 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731001426/http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/dhaka-population/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The city endured [[socialist]] unrest in the early 1970s, followed by a few years of [[martial law]]. The stock exchange and [[free market]] were restored in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, Dhaka saw the inauguration of the [[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban|National Parliament House]] (which won the [[Aga Khan Award for Architecture]]), a new [[Dhaka Airport|international airport]] and the [[Bangladesh National Museum]]. Bangladesh pioneered the formation of the [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] (SAARC) and hosted its first summit in Dhaka in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/userfiles/01-Dhaka-1stSummit1985.pdf |title=Dhaka Declaration |access-date=17 February 2015 |archive-date=7 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607131812/http://www.saarc-sec.org/userfiles/01-Dhaka-1stSummit1985.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> A mass uprising in 1990 led to the return of [[parliamentary democracy]]. Dhaka has hosted a trilateral summit between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1998;<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Habib |first=Haroon |date=24 January 1998 |title=An economic initiative |url=http://www.frontline.in/enwiki/static/html/fl1502/15020520.htm |magazine=Frontline |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118102213/https://frontline.thehindu.com/magazine/issue/vol15-02/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the summit of the [[D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation]] in 1999 and conferences of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], SAARC, the OIC and [[United Nations]] agencies during various years. In the 1990s and 2000s, Dhaka experienced improved economic growth and the emergence of affluent business districts and satellite towns.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hossain |first=Shahadat |date=January 2008 |title=Rapid Urban Growth and Poverty in Dhaka City |url=http://www.bangladeshsociology.org/BEJS%205.1%20Rapid%20Urban%20Growth%20and%20Poverty%20final.pdf?q=dhaka |journal=Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology |volume=5 |issue=1 |access-date=24 September 2016 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818115752/http://www.bangladeshsociology.org/BEJS%205.1%20Rapid%20Urban%20Growth%20and%20Poverty%20final.pdf?q=dhaka |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 1990 and 2005, the city's population doubled from 6&nbsp;million to 12&nbsp;million.<ref>German, Erik; Pyne, Solana (26 February 2019) [https://www.pri.org/stories/2010-09-08/dhaka-fastest-growing-megacity-world Dhaka: fastest growing megacity in the world] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305070636/https://www.pri.org/stories/2010-09-08/dhaka-fastest-growing-megacity-world |date=5 March 2018 }} ''pri.org''</ref> There has been increased [[Foreign direct investment|foreign investment]] in the city, particularly in the financial and textile manufacturing sectors. But frequent [[hartal]]s by political parties have greatly hampered the city's economy.<ref>{{Cite book |date=March 2005 |title=Beyond Hartals: Towards Democratic Dialogue in Bangladesh |url=http://www.un-bd.org/Docs/Publication/Beyond%20Hartals.pdf |url-status=dead |publisher=United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh |isbn=984-32-1424-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305063333/http://www.un-bd.org/Docs/Publication/Beyond%20Hartals.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2018 |access-date=4 March 2018}}</ref> The hartal rate has declined since 2014. In some years, the city experienced a widespread [[flash flood]] during the monsoon. Dhaka is one of the fastest growing megacities in the world.<ref name="content.time.com">Carbone, Nick (26 October 2011) [http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2097720_2097718_2097713,00.html The 10 Fastest-Growing Cities of Tomorrow, Dhaka, Bangladesh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708134803/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2097720_2097718_2097713,00.html |date=8 July 2017 }} ''Time''</ref> It is predicted to be one of the world's largest metropolises by 2025, along with [[Tokyo]], [[Mexico City]], [[Shanghai]], [[Beijing]] and [[New York City]].<ref name="CBSN">{{cite web |title=Dhaka, Bangladesh: Fastest Growing City in the World |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dhaka-bangladesh-fastest-growing-city-in-the-world/ |work=CBS News |access-date=22 February 2019 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917105225/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dhaka-bangladesh-fastest-growing-city-in-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dhaka remains one of the poorest megacities. Most of its population are rural migrants, including [[climate refugees]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://resilient-cities.iclei.org/fileadmin/sites/resilient-cities/files/docs/B4-Bonn2010-Hamidul.pdf |title=A Short City Profile on Dhaka City: Adaptation Issues for Climate Change?? |access-date=4 March 2018 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411211112/http://resilient-cities.iclei.org/fileadmin/sites/resilient-cities/files/docs/B4-Bonn2010-Hamidul.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Blue-collar workers are often housed in [[slums]]. [[Traffic congestion|Congestion]] is one of the most prominent features of modern Dhaka. In 2014, it was reported that only 7% of the city was covered by roads.<ref name="TNR">{{cite magazine |title=Welcome to the Traffic Capital of the World |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/118416/what-dhaka-bangladesh-traffic-capital-world-can-teach-us |magazine=The New Republic |access-date=22 February 2019 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917143131/https://newrepublic.com/article/118416/what-dhaka-bangladesh-traffic-capital-world-can-teach-us |url-status=live }}</ref> The first phase of the [[Dhaka Metro Rail|Dhaka Metro]] is planned for opening in 2021, coinciding with the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence. == Geography == {{See also|Geography of Bangladesh}} [[File:Dhaka Krishnachura Blossoms.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|left|''[[Delonix regia]]'' trees blooming in Dhaka during the summer [[Sher-e-Bangla Nagar]]]] ===Topography=== [[File:Dhaka, Bangladesh.jpg|thumb|View of Dhaka from the [[International Space Station]]]] Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh at {{Coord|23|42|N|90|22|E|type:city_region:BD|display=inline}}, on the eastern banks of the [[Buriganga River]]. The city lies on the lower reaches of the [[Ganges Delta]] and covers a total area of {{convert|306.38|km2|sqmi}}. Tropical vegetation and moist soils characterize the land, which is flat and close to sea level. This leaves Dhaka susceptible to flooding during the [[monsoon]] seasons owing to heavy rainfall and [[cyclone]]s.<ref>{{cite book| last = Hough|first = Michael|title = Cities and natural process|publisher = Routledge|year = 2004|pages = 64–65|isbn = 0-415-29855-5}}</ref> Dhaka District is bounded by the districts of [[Gazipur District|Gazipur]], [[Tangail District|Tangail]], [[Munshiganj District|Munshiganj]], [[Rajbari District|Rajbari]], [[Narayanganj District|Narayanganj]], [[Manikganj District|Manikganj]]. === Climate === {{Main|Climate of Dhaka}} Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Dhaka has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw''). The city has a distinct monsoonal season, with an annual average temperature of {{convert|26|C|F|abbr=on}} and monthly means varying between {{convert|19|C|F|abbr=on}} in January and {{convert|29|C|F|abbr=on}} in May.<ref name=weather1>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=032914&refer=/|title=Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Dhaka, Bangladesh|access-date=15 December 2008|publisher=weatherbase.com|archive-date=23 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123042049/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=032914&refer=%2F|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 87% of the average annual rainfall of {{convert|2123|mm|in|abbr=off}} occurs between May and October.<ref name=weather1/> Increasing air and water pollution emanating from traffic congestion and industrial waste are serious problems affecting public health and the quality of life in the city.<ref name="Geo2"/> Water bodies and [[wetland]]s around Dhaka are facing destruction as these are being filled up to construct multi-storied buildings and other real estate developments. Coupled with pollution, such erosion of natural habitats threatens to destroy much of the regional biodiversity.<ref name="Geo2">{{cite news |last=Mondal |first=M. Abdul Latif |date=27 September 2006 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/ourcities/ourcities28.htm |title=Our Cities: 15th Anniversary Special |work=The Daily Star |access-date=27 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302043917/http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/ourcities/ourcities28.htm |archive-date=2 March 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to unregulated manufacturing of brick and other causes Dhaka is one of the most polluted [[Global city|world cities]] with very high levels of [[PM2.5]] air pollution.<ref name="UD9518">{{cite news |author1=Sohara Mehroze Shachi |title=Bangladesh's Air Pollution Problem Grows, Brick by Brick |url=https://undark.org/article/air-pollution-dhaka/ |access-date=7 September 2018 |work=Undark |date=5 September 2018 |quote=The kiln operations alone – while representing just 1 percent of the country's GDP – generate nearly 60 percent of the particulate pollution in Dhaka, according to Bangladesh’s Department of Environment (DOE). |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907141106/https://undark.org/article/air-pollution-dhaka/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{Weather box|width=auto |location = Dhaka (1981-2010) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |collapsed = |temperature colour = |Jan record high C = 31.1 |Feb record high C = 34.4 |Mar record high C = 40.6 |Apr record high C = 42.2 |May record high C = 41.1 |Jun record high C = 36.7 |Jul record high C = 35.0 |Aug record high C = 36.1 |Sep record high C = 36.7 |Oct record high C = 37.2 |Nov record high C = 34.4 |Dec record high C = 30.6 |year record high C = 42.2 |Jan high C = 25.1 |Feb high C = 28.3 |Mar high C = 32.5 |Apr high C = 33.8 |May high C = 33.4 |Jun high C = 32.5 |Jul high C = 31.8 |Aug high C = 32.1 |Sep high C = 32.0 |Oct high C = 31.8 |Nov high C = 29.7 |Dec high C = 26.5 |year high C = 30.8 |Jan mean C = 18.6 |Feb mean C = 22.0 |Mar mean C = 26.3 |Apr mean C = 28.4 |May mean C = 28.8 |Jun mean C = 29.0 |Jul mean C = 28.7 |Aug mean C = 28.9 |Sep mean C = 28.5 |Oct mean C = 27.4 |Nov mean C = 24.0 |Dec mean C = 20.0 |year mean C = 25.9 |Jan low C = 13.1 |Feb low C = 16.2 |Mar low C = 20.8 |Apr low C = 23.8 |May low C = 24.8 |Jun low C = 26.2 |Jul low C = 26.3 |Aug low C = 26.4 |Sep low C = 25.9 |Oct low C = 23.9 |Nov low C = 19.4 |Dec low C = 14.8 |year low C = 21.8 |Jan record low C = 6.1 |Feb record low C = 6.7 |Mar record low C = 10.6 |Apr record low C = 16.7 |May record low C = 14.4 |Jun record low C = 19.4 |Jul record low C = 21.1 |Aug record low C = 21.7 |Sep record low C = 21.1 |Oct record low C = 17.2 |Nov record low C = 11.1 |Dec record low C = 7.2 |year record low C = 6.1 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 7.5 |Feb rain mm = 23.7 |Mar rain mm = 61.7 |Apr rain mm = 140.6 |May rain mm = 278.4 |Jun rain mm = 346.5 |Jul rain mm = 375.5 |Aug rain mm = 292.9 |Sep rain mm = 340.0 |Oct rain mm = 174.5 |Nov rain mm = 31.1 |Dec rain mm = 12.1 |unit rain days = |Jan rain days = 2 |Feb rain days = 3 |Mar rain days = 5 |Apr rain days = 10 |May rain days = 15 |Jun rain days = 14 |Jul rain days = 17 |Aug rain days = 16 |Sep rain days = 13 |Oct rain days = 7 |Nov rain days = 2 |Dec rain days = 1 |Jan humidity = 71 |Feb humidity = 64 |Mar humidity = 62 |Apr humidity = 71 |May humidity = 76 |Jun humidity = 82 |Jul humidity = 83 |Aug humidity = 82 |Sep humidity = 83 |Oct humidity = 78 |Nov humidity = 73 |Dec humidity = 73 |year humidity = |Jan sun = 220.3 |Feb sun = 225.3 |Mar sun = 256.3 |Apr sun = 237.8 |May sun = 220.9 |Jun sun = 142.2 |Jul sun = 131.5 |Aug sun = 140.6 |Sep sun = 152.7 |Oct sun = 228.6 |Nov sun = 236.3 |Dec sun = 242.6 |year sun = 2435.1 |source 1 = [[Bangladesh Meteorological Department]]<ref name=climatereport> {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181224171550/http://bmd.gov.bd/file/2016/08/17/pdf/21827.pdf | archive-date = 24 December 2018 | url = http://bmd.gov.bd/file/2016/08/17/pdf/21827.pdf | title = Climate of Bangladesh | publisher = Bangladesh Meteorological Department | pages = 19–23 | access-date = 24 December 2018}}</ref><ref name = BMDrainyday> {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170709184139/http://bmd.gov.bd/file/2016/08/17/pdf/54.pdf | archive-date = 9 July 2017 | url = http://www.bmd.gov.bd/?/p/=Normal-Monthly-Rainy-Day | title = Normal Monthly Rainy Day | publisher = Bangladesh Meteorological Department | access-date = 26 April 2018}}</ref><ref name = BMDhumidity> {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181224172119/http://bmd.gov.bd/file/2016/08/17/pdf/52.pdf | archive-date = 24 December 2018 | url = http://www.bmd.gov.bd/?/p/=Monthly-Humidity-Normal-Data | title = Normal Monthly Humidity | publisher = Bangladesh Meteorological Department | access-date = 26 April 2018}}</ref> |source 2 = Sistema de Clasificación Bioclimática Mundial (extremes 1934–1994),<ref name=extremes>{{cite web | url = http://www.globalbioclimatics.org/pdf/ba-dacca.pdf | title = Bangladesh – Dacca | publisher = Centro de Investigaciones Fitosociológicas | language = es | access-date = 23 February 2013 | archive-date = 20 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150920032430/http://www.globalbioclimatics.org/pdf/ba-dacca.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (sun, 1961–1990)<ref name = DWD>{{cite web | url = ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/multi_annual/sunshine_duration/1961_1990.txt | title = Station 41923 Dhaka | work = Global station data 1961–1990—Sunshine Duration | publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst | access-date = 26 April 2018 | archive-url = https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171017195327/ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/multi_annual/sunshine_duration/1961_1990.txt | archive-date = 17 October 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/help/stations_list_CLIMAT_data.txt |title=Station ID for Dhaka is 41923 |access-date=26 April 2018 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171017195318/ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/help/stations_list_CLIMAT_data.txt |archive-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |date=November 2012 }} === Parks and greenery === There are many parks within Dhaka city, including [[Ramna Park]], [[Suhrawardy Udyan]], [[Shishu Park]], [[National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh|National Botanical Garden]], [[Baldha Garden]], [[Chandrima Uddan]], Gulshan Park and [[Dhaka Zoo]]. There are lakes within city, such as Crescent lake, [[Dhanmondi]] lake, [[Baridhara]]-[[Gulshan, Dhaka|Gulshan]] lake, [[Banani Lake|Banani lake]], [[Uttara Thana|Uttara]] lake, [[Hatirjheel|Hatirjheel-Begunbari]] lake and 300 Feet Road Prionty lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mybangla24.com/best-places-to-visit-in-dhaka-division|title=20 Best Places to Visit in Dhaka Division|date=9 October 2020|access-date=25 October 2020|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029125856/https://mybangla24.com/best-places-to-visit-in-dhaka-division|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Government== ===Capital city=== [[File:Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban, Dhaka.jpg|thumb|The [[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban|National Parliament House]] in [[Sher-e-Bangla Nagar]]]] As the capital of the [[People's Republic of Bangladesh]], Dhaka is the home to numerous state and diplomatic institutions. The [[Bangabhaban]] is the official residence and workplace of the [[President of Bangladesh]], who is the ceremonial head of state under the constitution. The [[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban|National Parliament House]] is located in the modernist capital complex designed by [[Louis Kahn]] in [[Sher-e-Bangla Nagar]]. The [[Gonobhaban]], the official residence of the [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]], is situated on the north side of Parliament. The [[Prime Minister's Office (Bangladesh)|Prime Minister's Office]] is located in Tejgaon. Most ministries of the [[Government of Bangladesh]] are housed in the Bangladesh Secretariat.<ref name=cabinet>{{cite web |url=http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/site/page/55bcf4d6-dd85-45c1-94b6-bcb06e4b1b12/45/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%B9 |title=List of Ministries and Divisions |date=20 November 2016 |publisher=Cabinet Division |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119141454/http://cabinet.gov.bd/site/page/55bcf4d6-dd85-45c1-94b6-bcb06e4b1b12/45/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%B9 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of Bangladesh|Supreme Court]], the [[Dhaka High Court]] and the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bangladesh)|Foreign Ministry]] are located in the Ramna area. The [[Ministry of Defence (Bangladesh)|Defence Ministry]] and the [[Ministry of Planning (Bangladesh)|Ministry of Planning]] are located in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.<ref name=cabinet/> The [[Armed Forces Division]] of the government of Bangladesh and [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]] headquarters are located in Dhaka Cantonment.<ref name=cabinet/> Several important installations of the [[Bangladesh Army]] are also situated in Dhaka and [[Mirpur Cantonment]]s. The [[Bangladesh Navy]]'s principal administrative and logistics base, [[BNS Haji Mohshin]], is located in Dhaka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil.bd/bases.php |title=Navy Bases |publisher=Bangladesh Navy |access-date=30 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527111317/http://www.navy.mil.bd/bases.php |archive-date=27 May 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Bangladesh Air Force]] maintains the BAF [[Bangabandhu air base|Bangabandhu Air Base]] and BAF [[Khademul Bashar Air Base]] in Dhaka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/location_baf?1=1&pagemenu=location_baf&submenu=0&leafsub=0 |title=Locations of Bangladesh Air Force Bases |publisher=Join Bangladesh Air Force |access-date=30 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119095215/http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/location_baf?1=1&pagemenu=location_baf&submenu=0&leafsub=0 |archive-date=19 January 2017 }}</ref> Dhaka hosts [[List of diplomatic missions in Bangladesh|54 resident embassies and high commissions]] and numerous international organizations. Most diplomatic missions are located in the [[Gulshan Thana|Gulshan]] and [[Baridhara]] areas of the city. The [[Agargaon]] area near Parliament is home to the country offices of the United Nations, the [[World Bank]], the [[Asian Development Bank]] and the [[Islamic Development Bank]]. ===Civic administration=== [[File:Nagar Bhaban.A.M.R.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dhaka South City Corporation|Nagar Bhaban]]]] ====History==== Dhaka municipality was founded on 1 August 1864 and upgraded to "[[municipal corporation|Metropolitan]]" status in 1978. In 1983, the [[Dhaka City Corporation]] was created as a self-governing entity to govern Dhaka.<ref name=star052015>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/heritage/reminiscing-dhakas-legacy-80994|title=Reminiscing Dhaka's Legacy |work=The Daily Star|date=8 May 2015|author=Md Shahnawaz Khan Chandan|access-date=22 June 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030749/http://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/heritage/reminiscing-dhakas-legacy-80994|url-status=live}}</ref> Under a new act in 1993, an election was held in 1994 for the first elected Mayor of Dhaka.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=163943|title=Mayor Hanif's death anniversary today|date=28 November 2010|access-date=12 February 2015|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|archive-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212231852/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=163943|url-status=live}}</ref> The Dhaka City Corporation ran the affairs of the city until November 2011.<ref name=sum>{{cite news|title=Don't split Dhaka, Khoka urges govt|url=http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-64245|access-date=12 September 2012|newspaper=UNBConnect|date=12 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405174018/http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-64245|archive-date=5 April 2012}}</ref> ====Municipal government==== In 2011, Dhaka City Corporation was split into two separate corporations – [[Dhaka North City Corporation]] and [[Dhaka South City Corporation]] for ensuring better civic facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=206982|title=Dhaka set to split into two|work=The Daily Star|date=18 October 2011|access-date=12 February 2015|author=Hasan Jahid Tusher|archive-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213005705/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=206982|url-status=live}}</ref> These two corporations are headed by two mayors, who are elected by direct vote of the citizen for a 5-year period. The area within city corporations was divided into several wards, which each have an elected commissioner. In total the city has 130 wards and 725 ''[[mohalla]]s''. * [[Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha|RAJUK]] is responsible for coordinating [[Urban planning|urban development]] in the [[Greater Dhaka]] area.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Islam|first1=Md Asraful|title=Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rajdhani_Unnayan_Kartripakkha|website=Banglapedia|access-date=26 July 2015|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507105228/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rajdhani_Unnayan_Kartripakkha|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Dhaka Metropolitan Police|DMP]] is responsible for maintaining law and order within the metro area. It was established in 1976. DMP has 56 police stations as administrative units.<ref name="A">{{cite web|title=History of the DMP|url=http://www.dmp.gov.bd/application/index/page/history|publisher=[[Dhaka Metropolitan Police]]|access-date=18 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019123329/http://www.dmp.gov.bd/application/index/page/history|archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="Z">{{cite web|title=DMP&nbsp;– New Initiatives|url=http://www.dmp.gov.bd/enwiki/static/new_initiative.php|publisher=Dhaka Metropolitan Police|access-date=30 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916060427/http://www.dmp.gov.bd/enwiki/static/new_initiative.php |archive-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Administrative agencies=== Unlike other megacities around the world, Dhaka is serviced by over two dozen government organizations under different ministries. Lack of co-ordination among them and centralization of all powers by the Government of Bangladesh, keeps the development and maintenance of the city in a chaotic situation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/what-should-we-do-better-civic-services-205963|title=What should we do for better civic services|work=The Daily Star|date=23 January 2016|access-date=18 June 2016|archive-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630121655/http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/what-should-we-do-better-civic-services-205963|url-status=live}}</ref> {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Agency!!Service!!Parent agency |- |[[Dhaka North City Corporation]]<br />[[Dhaka South City Corporation]] |[[Public service]] |[[Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives]]<br />&nbsp;∟ Local Government Division |- |[[Dhaka Metropolitan Police]] |[[Law enforcement]] |[[Ministry of Home Affairs (Bangladesh)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]<br />&nbsp;∟ [[Bangladesh Police]] |- |[[Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha|RAJUK]] |[[Urban planning]] |[[Ministry of Housing and Public Works]] |- |[[Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited]]<br />[[Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited]] |[[Power distribution]] |[[Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources]]<br />&nbsp;∟ Power Division |- |[[Water Supply and Sewerage Authority|Dhaka WASA]] |[[Water supply]] |[[Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives]]<br />&nbsp;∟ Local Government Division |- |[[Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority]] |[[Transport]] |[[Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges]]<br />&nbsp;∟Road Transport and Highways Division |} == Economy == {{See also|Economy of Dhaka}} [[File:City Centre Motijheel Dhaka Skyscraper.jpg|left|thumb|Sky view of Mothijheel Dhaka which is the old CBD of Dhaka]] Dhaka is the [[financial centre|financial]], commercial and the entertainment capital of Bangladesh. It accounts for 35% of [[Economy of Bangladesh|Bangladesh's economy]].<ref name="Rezaul Karim">{{cite news |author=Rezaul Karim |date=24 February 2017 |title=Dhaka's economic activities unplanned: analysts |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/business/dhakas-economic-activities-unplanned-analysts-1366252 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=13 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713203402/https://www.thedailystar.net/business/dhakas-economic-activities-unplanned-analysts-1366252 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network]] ranks Dhaka as a [[Global city|beta− global city]], in other words, one that is instrumental in linking their region into the world economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |website=Globalization and World Cities |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref> Major industrial areas are [[Tejgaon Thana|Tejgaon]], [[Shyampur Thana|Shyampur]] and [[Hazaribagh Thana|Hazaribagh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rrcap.unep.org/reports/soe/dhaka-soe-05/3-4dhaka-noise.pdf |title=Dhaka City State of Environment |year=2005 |publisher=Regional Resource Center for Asia and the Pacific, [[United Nations Environment Programme]] |access-date=24 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207025410/http://www.rrcap.unep.org/reports/soe/dhaka-soe-05/3-4dhaka-noise.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city has a growing middle class, driving the market for modern consumer and luxury goods.<ref name="banglapedia" /><ref name="CiE" /> Shopping malls serve as vital elements in the city's economy. The city has historically attracted numerous migrant workers.<ref name="EDemo1">{{cite web |last=McGee |first=Terry |date=27 September 2006 |url=http://www.prb.org/Articles/2001/UrbanizationTakesonNewDimensionsinAsiasPopulationGiants.aspx |title=Urbanization Takes on New Dimensions in Asia's Population Giants |publisher=Population Reference Bureau |access-date=27 September 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214234539/http://www.prb.org/Articles/2001/UrbanizationTakesonNewDimensionsinAsiasPopulationGiants.aspx |archive-date=14 February 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Peddlers, small shops, [[Cycle rickshaw|rickshaw]] transport, roadside vendors and stalls employ a large segment of the population<ref name="EDemo1"/><ref name="Rick">{{cite news |date=20 July 1998 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/136074.stm |title=Does Dhaka need rickshaws? |work=BBC News |access-date=27 September 2006 |archive-date=8 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308190144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/136074.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> – rickshaw-drivers alone number as many as 400,000.<ref>{{cite book |author=Robert Cervero |title=Informal Transport in the Developing World |page=39 |publisher=UN-HABITAT |year=2000 |isbn=92-1-131453-4}}</ref> Half the workforce is employed in household and unorganised labour, while about 800,000 work in the textile industry. The unemployment rate in Dhaka was 23% in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dhaka City Corporation |url=http://www.dhakacity.org/Page/Search_item_details/Search/Item_id/31/Item/employment/Dhaka_City_At_a_Glance |title=Dhaka City at a Glance |access-date=1 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115171206/http://www.dhakacity.org/Page/Search_item_details/Search/Item_id/31/Item/employment/Dhaka_City_At_a_Glance |archive-date=15 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Almost all large local conglomerates have their corporate offices located in Dhaka. [[Microcredit]] also began here and the offices of the Nobel Prize-winning [[Grameen Bank]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Poverty Alleviation: Yunus calls for major reforms in World Bank |newspaper=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=10351 |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=17 December 2008 |archive-date=5 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305083011/http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=10351 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[BRAC (organization)|BRAC]] (the largest [[Non-governmental organisation|non-governmental development organisation]] in the world) are based in Dhaka.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blind eye to urban poor to spell social disaster:Conference on the poor told |newspaper=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/12/05/d61205011711.htm |date=5 December 2007 |access-date=17 December 2008 |archive-date=23 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723203409/http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/12/05/d61205011711.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Urban developments have sparked a widespread construction boom; new high-rise buildings and [[skyscraper]]s have changed the city's landscape.<ref name = "CiE"/> Growth has been especially strong in the finance, banking, manufacturing, telecommunications and services sectors, while tourism, hotels and restaurants continue as important elements of the Dhaka economy.<ref name="EDemo1"/> Dhaka has rising traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure; the national government has recently implemented a policy for rapid urbanization of surrounding areas and beyond by the introduction of a ten-year relief on [[income tax]] for new construction of facilities and buildings outside Dhaka.<ref name=townplan>{{cite web |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=62337 |title=Town planning for Bangladesh: Vision 2020 |date=8 November 2008 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=15 December 2008 |archive-date=19 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219005519/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=62337 |url-status=live}}</ref> == Demographics == {{See also|Demographics of Bangladesh}} [[File:dhaka.ogg|thumb|right|NASA animation showing the urban growth of Dhaka from 1972 to 2001.]] The city, in combination with localities forming the wider metropolitan area, is home to over 15&nbsp;million {{as of|2013|lc=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=New Geography |url=http://www.newgeography.com/content/003004-evolving-urban-form-dhaka |title=Evolving Urban Form: Dhaka |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-date=11 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611103831/http://www.newgeography.com/content/003004-evolving-urban-form-dhaka |url-status=live}}</ref> The population is growing by an estimated 4.2% per year, one of the highest rates amongst Asian cities.<ref name="EDemo1"/> The continuing growth reflects ongoing migration from rural areas to the Dhaka urban region, which accounted for 60% of the city's growth in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, the city's population has also grown with the expansion of city boundaries, a process that added more than a million people to the city in the 1980s.<ref name="EDemo1"/> According to the ''[[Far Eastern Economic Review]]'', Dhaka will be home to 25&nbsp;million people by the end of 2025.<ref>{{cite news |author=Pepe Escobar |author-link=Pepe Escobar |date=20 May 2006 |title=The accumulation of the wretched |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/HE20Aa01.html |work=Asia Times |type=Book review |access-date=8 May 2010 |archive-date=31 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031210457/http://atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/HE20Aa01.html |url-status=unfit}}</ref> The literacy rate in Dhaka is also increasing quickly. It was estimated at 69.2% in 2001. The literacy rate had gone up to 74.6% by 2011<ref name="District Statistics 2011, Dhaka"/> which is significantly higher than the national average of 72%.<ref name="bangladesh1">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/SubjectMatterDataIndex/YB-2012.pdf |title=Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh 2012, Page 35 |publisher=Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics |access-date=14 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807103320/http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/SubjectMatterDataIndex/YB-2012.pdf |archive-date=7 August 2015}}</ref> {{Historical populations |align=right |footnote=for Dhaka Agglomeration:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/dhaka-population/ |title=Dhaka population |website=World Population Review |access-date=30 January 2017 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731001426/http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/dhaka-population/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |1950|335,760 |1960|507,921 |1970|1,373,718 |1980|3,265,663 |1990|6,620,697 |2000|10,284,947 |2010|14,730,537 |2020|21,005,860 }} The city population is composed of people from virtually every region of Bangladesh. The long-standing inhabitants of the old city are known as Dhakaite and have a distinctive dialect and culture. Dhaka is also home to a large number of Bihari refugees, who are descendants of migrant [[Muslims]] from eastern India during 1947 and settled down in East Pakistan. The correct population of [[Biharis]] living in the city is ambiguous, but it is estimated that there are at least 300,000 Urdu-speakers in all of Bangladesh, mostly residing in old Dhaka and in refugee camps in Dhaka, although official figures estimates only 40,000.<ref name=fe>{{cite news |title=Govt ready to offer nationality to Urdu-speaking people: Moni |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=110539 |access-date=12 April 2011 |newspaper=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104171314/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=110539 |archive-date=4 November 2011}}</ref><ref name=dw>{{cite web |title=Socio-economic Problems of the Urdu Speaking Residents at Mohammadpur |url=http://www.dwatch-bd.org/ggtp/Research%20Reports/research3.pdf |publisher=Democracy Watch |access-date=12 April 2011 |archive-date=12 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612081936/http://www.dwatch-bd.org/ggtp/Research%20Reports/research3.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ju>{{cite web |author=Tasmia Persoob |title=The Forgotten Community: Camp Based Urdu Speaking People in Bangladesh |url=http://akira-foundation.org/Documents/fellow%20product%20%28Tasmia%29.pdf |publisher=Jahangirnagar University |access-date=12 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322152732/http://akira-foundation.org/Documents/fellow%20product%20%28Tasmia%29.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Between 15,000 and 20,000 of the [[Rohingya people|Rohingya]], [[Santals|Santal]], [[Khasi people|Khasi]], [[Garo (tribe)|Garo]], [[Chakma people|Chakma]] and [[Mandi State|Mandi]] tribal peoples reside in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/ourcities/ourcities06.htm |title=::Our Cities::15th Anniversary Special |work=The Daily Star |access-date=8 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302043551/http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/ourcities/ourcities06.htm |archive-date=2 March 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Most residents of Dhaka speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]], the national language. Many distinctive Bengali dialects and regional languages such as [[Dhakaiya Kutti]], [[Chittagonian language|Chittagonian]] and [[Sylheti language|Sylheti]] are also spoken by segments of the population. English is spoken by a large segment of the population, especially for business purposes. [[Urdu]], including [[Dhakaiya Urdu]], is spoken by members of several non-Bengali communities, including the [[Bihari people|Biharis]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Sanghamitra Saha |title=A Linguist Visits Bangladesh: A Travelogue |page=8 |publisher=International School of Dravidian Linguistics |year=2001 |isbn=978-81-85692-30-2}}</ref> {{Pie chart |thumb = right |caption = Religion in Dhaka city (2011)<ref name="census2011" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Dhaka|title=Dhaka - Banglapedia}}</ref> |label1 = [[Islam]] |value1 = 92 |color1 = green |label2 = [[Hinduism]] |value2 = 7 |color2= orange |label3 = Others |value3 = 1 |color3 = Blue }} [[Islam in Bangladesh|Islam]] is the dominant religion of the city, with 19.3 million of the city's population being Muslim, and a majority belonging to the [[Sunni]] sect. There is also a small [[Shia]] sect, and an [[Ahmadi]]ya community. [[Hinduism in Bangladesh|Hinduism]] is the second-largest religion numbering around 1.47 million adherents. Smaller segments 1% practices [[Christianity in Bangladesh|Christianity]] and [[Buddhism in Bangladesh|Buddhism]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Dhaka|title=Dhaka - Banglapedia}}</ref><ref name="census2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbs.gov.bd/Census2011/Dhaka/Dhaka/Dhaka_C13.pdf |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141113213203/http://www.bbs.gov.bd/Census2011/Dhaka/Dhaka/Dhaka_C13.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2014 |title=Population Census 2011: Dhaka Table C-13 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics |access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref> == Culture == {{main|Culture of Dhaka}} ===Arts and festivals=== [[File:Shaheed Minar.JPG|thumb|The [[Shaheed Minar, Dhaka|Central Shaheed Minar]] on [[Language Movement Day]]]] [[File:Mangal Shobhajatra in Dhaka.jpg|thumb|Dhaka's annual [[Mangal Shobhajatra]] during the [[Bengali New Year]] is recognized by [[UNESCO]] as an [[intangible cultural heritage]] of humanity]] As the most populous city of Bangladesh, Dhaka has a vibrant cultural life. Annual celebrations for [[Language Movement Day|Language Martyrs' Day]] (21 February), [[Bangladeshi Independence Day|Independence Day]] (26 March), and [[Victory Day (Bangladesh)|Victory Day]] (16 December) are prominently celebrated across the city. Dhaka's people congregate at the [[Shaheed Minar, Dhaka|Shaheed Minar]] and the [[Jatiyo Smriti Soudho]] to remember the national heroes of the liberation war. These occasions are observed with public ceremonies and rallies in public grounds. Many schools and colleges organise fairs, festivals and concerts in which citizens from all levels of society participate.<ref name = "Cul"/> ''[[Pohela Baishakh]]'', the Bengali New Year, falls annually on 14 April and is popularly celebrated across the city.<ref name="Cul">{{cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Dr. Nizamuddin |date=27 September 2006 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/ourcities/ourcities01.htm |title=Happy 400th anniversary, Dhaka! |work=The Daily Star |access-date=27 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302091655/http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/ourcities/ourcities01.htm |archive-date=2 March 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Large crowds of people gather on the streets of Shahbag, Ramna Park and the campus of the University of Dhaka for celebrations. ''[[Pahela Falgun]]'', the first day of spring of the month Falgun in the [[Bengali calendar]], is also celebrated in the city in a festive manner.<ref name=history>{{cite news |title=Pohela Falgun celebrated |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=174151/ |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074436/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=174151%2F |url-status=live}}</ref> This day is marked with colourful celebration and traditionally, women wear yellow saris to celebrate this day. This celebration is also known as ''Basanta Utsab'' (Spring Festival). [[Nabanna]] is a harvest celebration, usually celebrated with food and dance and music on the 1st day of the month of Agrahayan of the Bengali year. Birthdays of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam are observed respectively as [[Rabindra Jayanti]] and [[Nazrul Jayanti]]. The [[Ekushey Book Fair]], which is arranged each year by [[Bangla Academy]], takes place for the whole month of February. This event is dedicated to the martyrs who died on 21 February 1952 in a demonstration calling for the establishment of Bengali as one of the state languages of former [[Historical regions of Pakistan|East Pakistan]]. [[Shakrain|Shakrain Festival]] is an annual celebration observed with the flying of kites.<ref name=dstar>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=170574 |title=Shakrain festival |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=19 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118102208/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-170574 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is usually observed in the old part of the city at the end of Poush, the ninth month of the Bengali calendar (14 or 15 January in the [[Gregorian calendar]]). Islamic festivals of [[Eid ul-Fitr]], [[Eid ul-Adha]], [[Mawlid|Eid-E-Miladunnabi]] and [[Muharram]]; Hindu festival of [[Durga Puja]]; Buddhist festival of [[Buddha Purnima]]; and [[Christmas|Christian festival of Christmas]] witness widespread celebrations across the city. Despite the growing popularity of music groups and rock bands, traditional [[Music of Bangladesh|folk music]] remains widely popular.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Kamal Siddiqui |chapter=Dhaka |editor=Lothar Beckel |title=Mega Cities |page=130 |publisher=GEOSPACE Verlag |year=2001 |isbn=3-85313-051-8}}</ref> The works of the national poet [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]], national anthem writer [[Rabindranath Tagore]] and mystic saint songwriter [[Lalon]] have a widespread following across Dhaka.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Alison Arnold |title=The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: The Indian Subcontinent |pages=858–859 |publisher=Routledge |year=1999 |isbn=0-8240-4946-2}}</ref> The Baily Road area is known as ''Natak Para'' (Theatre Neighbourhood) which is the center of Dhaka's thriving theatre movement.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Ian Herbert & Nicole Leclercq |title=The World of Theatre |page=12 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2000 |isbn=0-415-23866-8}}</ref> For much of recent history, Dhaka was characterized by roadside markets and small shops that sold a wide variety of goods.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Jeremy Seabrook |title=In the Cities of the South: Scenes from a Developing World |page=[https://archive.org/details/incitiesofsouths0004seab/page/221 221] |publisher=Verso Books |year=1996 |isbn=1-85984-081-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/incitiesofsouths0004seab/page/221}}</ref> Recent years have seen the widespread construction of shopping malls.<ref>{{Cite book |title=World and Its Peoples |page=489 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish Corporation |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7614-7631-3}}</ref> Two of the largest shopping malls in Dhaka and perhaps in the Indian subcontinent are [[Jamuna Future Park]] and [[Bashundhara City]] shopping mall. ===Cuisines=== [[File:Bangladeshi Biryani.jpg|thumb|[[Biryani#Varieties|Dhakaiya Biryani]], among the most famous staple foods of the city]] {{See also|Bangladeshi cuisine}} The Old Dhaka area has its own unique food tradition, known as Dhakaite food. Old Dhaka is famous for its ''[[Pilaf|Morog Pulao]]'', which is different from traditional [[biryani]] by its use of both [[turmeric]] and ''[[malai]]'' or cream of milk together.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/living-and-lifestyle/treasures-bangladeshi-cuisine-1366105 |title=Treasures of Bangladeshi cuisine |date=24 February 2017 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=28 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228153936/http://www.thedailystar.net/living-and-lifestyle/treasures-bangladeshi-cuisine-1366105 |url-status=live}}</ref> Dhakai [[Bakarkhani]] is the traditional food or snack of the people of old Dhaka. It is famous for its quality and taste and it was highly praised by the royal court of the Mughal Empire in [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite book |author=Melvin Ember, Carol R. Ember |title=Encyclopedia of Urban Cultures : Cayenne-Kyoto: Cities and Cultures Around the World |page=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofur0000unse/page/147 147] |publisher=Grolier |year=2002 |isbn=0-7172-5698-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofur0000unse/page/147}}</ref> Along with [[Cuisine of Bangladesh|Bangladeshi cuisine]] and [[South Asian cuisine|South Asian variants]], a large variety of Western and Chinese cuisine is served at numerous restaurants and eateries.<ref name="CiE">{{cite news |last=Lawson |first=Alistair |date=1 June 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2018535.stm |title=Good times for bourgeois Bangladeshis |work=BBC News |access-date=2 October 2006 |archive-date=24 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324150041/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2018535.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Architecture=== {{See also|List of tallest buildings in Dhaka}} [[File:Ahsan-Manzil.jpg|thumb|[[Ahsan Manzil]] in [[Old Dhaka]], a fine example of [[Indo-Saracenic architecture]] in the city]] Dhaka is home to over 2000 buildings built between the 16th and 19th centuries, which form an integral part of Dhaka's cultural heritage. Examples include [[Lalbagh Fort]], [[Ahsan Manzil]], [[Star Mosque|Tara Mosque]], [[Chawk Mosque]], [[Hussaini Dalan]], [[Armenian Church, Dhaka|Armenian Church]], [[Dhaka Gate]], [[Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah]], [[Rose Garden Palace]], [[Choto Katra]], [[Bara Katra]], [[Dhakeshwari Temple]], [[Swami Bagh Temple]], [[Ramna Kali Mandir]], [[Kamalapur Dharmarajika Bauddha Vihara|Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery]], [[Holy Rosary Church, Dhaka|Holy Rosary Church]], and [[Pogose School]]. There are still many colonial buildings in the [[Dhaka Sadarghat]], [[Armanitola]], and [[Farashganj]] areas of Old Dhaka. [[Binat Bibi Mosque]] was built in 1454 in the Narinda area of Dhaka during the reign of the Sultan of Bengal, [[Mahmud Shah (Sultan of Bengal)|Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah]] (r. 1435 – 1459),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=7368 |title=Binat Bibi Mosque |publisher=ArchNet Digital Library |access-date=18 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060301041726/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=7368 |archive-date=1 March 2006}}</ref> and is the oldest brick structure that still exists in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2008/august/jahangirnagar.htm |title=''From Jahangirnagar to Dhaka'' by Faruque Hasan in ''The Daily Star'' |access-date=22 June 2017 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025233001/http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2008/august/jahangirnagar.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Important landmark buildings constructed during British rule include the [[Old High Court Building, Dhaka|Old High Court Building]], [[Bangabhaban]], [[Curzon Hall]] and [[Mitford Hospital, Dhaka|Mitford Hospital]]. Architect [[Louis Kahn|Louis I Kahn]]'s acclaimed modernist [[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban|National Capital Complex]], based on the geography and heritage of Bengal, was inaugurated in Dhaka in 1982 as one of the largest [[legislative]] complexes in the world, comprising 200&nbsp;acres (800,000&nbsp;m²).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ali |first1=Meer Mobashsher |last2=Rouf |first2=Md Abdur |year=2012 |chapter=Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Jatiya_Sangsad_Bhaban |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=4 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804173557/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Jatiya_Sangsad_Bhaban |url-status=live}}</ref> Designed by American architect [[Robert Boughey]], [[Kamalapur railway station]] is another architectural marvel.<ref name="Morshed"/> [[Swadhinata Stambha]] (Independence Monument) is a new landmark in the city, which was built to commemorate the historical events that took place in the [[Suhrawardy Udyan]] during the [[Liberation War of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dhaka.gov.bd/node/1187649|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150201124231/http://www.dhaka.gov.bd/node/1187649|url-status = dead|archive-date=1 February 2015|script-title=bn:সোহরাওয়ার্দী উদ্যান|publisher=Dhaka District|date=18 July 2014|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> ===Media=== [[File:Bangladesh Television Bhaban at Rampura (02).jpg|thumb|left|Bangladesh Television Building in Dhaka]] Dhaka is also the press, media and entertainment center of Bangladesh. [[Bangladesh Betar]] is the state-run primary provider of radio services, and broadcasts a variety of programming in Bengali and English. Radio transmission started in Dhaka on 16 December 1939. In recent years many [[List of Bangladeshi television and radio channels#Privately owned radio stations|private radio networks]], especially FM radio services, have been established in the city such as [[Radio Foorti]] FM 88.0, [[Radio Aamar]] FM 88.4, [[ABC Radio (Bangladesh)|ABC Radio]] FM 89.2, [[Radio Today]] FM 89.6, [[DhakaFM 90.4]], [[Peoples Radio 91.6 FM]], [[Radio Bhumi]] FM 92.8, and [[City FM 96.0]].{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} [[Bangladesh Television]] is the state-run broadcasting network that provides a wide variety of programmes in Bengali and English. It started broadcasting on 25 December 1964. It also operates a sister channel ''BTV World'' since 2004. [[Sangsad Bangladesh Television|Sangsad Bangladesh]] is another government-owned TV channel that broadcasts parliamentary activity of Bangladesh since 25 January 2011. [[List of television stations in Bangladesh|Cable and satellite networks]] such as [[ATN Bangla]], [[ATN News]], [[Banglavision]], [[Channel i]], [[Channel 9 (Bangladesh)|Channel 9]], [[Ekushey Television]], [[Gaan Bangla]], [[Gazi Television]], [[Independent Television (Bangladesh)|Independent TV]], [[NTV (Bangladesh)|NTV]], [[RTV (Bangladesh)|RTV]] and [[Somoy TV]] are amongst the most popular channels.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} The main offices of most publishing houses in Bangladesh are based in Dhaka. Dhaka is home to the largest [[List of newspapers in Bangladesh|Bangladeshi newspapers]], including the leading Bengali dailies ''[[Prothom Alo]]'', ''[[The Daily Ittefaq|Ittefaq]]'', ''[[Inqilab]]'', ''[[Janakantha]]'', ''[[Amar Desh]]'' and ''[[Jugantor]]''.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} English-language newspapers include ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]'', ''[[The Financial Express (Bangladesh)|The Financial Express]]'', ''[[The Independent (Bangladesh)|The Independent]]'',<ref>{{Cite book |editor1=Jonathan Lorie |editor2=Amy Sohanpaul |title=The Traveler's Handbook |page=195 |publisher=The Globe Pequot Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-7627-4090-6}}</ref> ''[[Dhaka Tribune]]'', and ''[[New Age (Bangladesh)|New Age]]''. == Education == {{See also|Education in Bangladesh}} [[File:Auditorium - Teacher-Student Center - University of Dhaka - Dhaka 2015-05-31 2428.JPG|thumb|upright=1.35|The Teacher-Student Centre in Dhaka University, designed by [[Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis]], is one of the major student hubs of the city]] Dhaka has the largest number of schools, colleges and universities of any Bangladeshi city. The education system is divided into five levels: primary (from grades 1 to 5), junior (from grades 6 to 8), secondary (from grades 9 to 10), higher secondary (from grades 11 to 12) and tertiary.<ref name=CompEd>{{cite book |author=T. Neville Postlethwaite |title=The Encyclopedia of Comparative Education and National Systems of Education |page=130 |publisher=Pergamon Press |year=1988 |isbn=0-08-030853-8}}</ref> The five years of primary education concludes with a Primary School Completion (PSC) Examination, the three years of junior education concludes with [[Junior School Certificate]] (JSC) Examination, and next two years of secondary education concludes with a [[Secondary School Certificate]] (SSC) Examination. Students who pass this examination proceed to two years of higher secondary or intermediate training, which culminate in a [[Higher Secondary School Certificate]] (HSC) Examination.<ref name=CompEd/> Education is mainly offered in Bengali, but English is also widely taught and used. Many Muslim families send their children to attend part-time courses or even to pursue full-time religious education alongside other subjects, which is imparted in Bengali and Arabic in schools, colleges and [[Madrasa#Bangladesh|madrasas]].<ref name=CompEd/> There are [[List of universities in Bangladesh|52 universities]] in Dhaka. [[Dhaka College]] is the oldest institution for higher education in the city and among the earliest established in British India, founded in 1841. Since independence, Dhaka has seen the establishment of numerous public and private colleges and universities that offer undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as a variety of doctoral programmes.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Growth of academic institutions |author=Kamal Siddiqui |title=Social Formation in Dhaka City: A Study in Third World Urban Sociology |page=42 |publisher=University Press Limited |location=Dhaka |year=1990 |oclc=23989900}}</ref> [[University of Dhaka]] is the oldest public university<ref>{{cite news |title=Dhaka teachers on violence charge |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7138123.stm |work=BBC News |date=11 December 2007 |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-date=14 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214124759/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7138123.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> in the country which has more than 30,000 students and 1,800 faculty staff. It was established in 1921 being the first university in the region. The university has 23 research centers and 70 departments, faculties and institutes.<ref name="DhakaU">{{cite web |url=http://www.univdhaka.edu/fastFacts.php |title=Univ. Facts |website=University of Dhaka |access-date=10 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904074222/http://www.univdhaka.edu/fastFacts.php |archive-date=4 September 2006}}</ref> Eminent seats of higher education include [[Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology]] (BUET), [[Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University]] (BSMMU), [[Jagannath University]] and [[Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University]]. [[Dhaka Medical College and Hospital|Dhaka Medical College]] and [[Sir Salimullah Medical College]] are two of the best [[Medical Colleges of Bangladesh|medical colleges]] in the country.<ref>{{cite book |author=Muhammad Shamsul Huq |title=Higher Education and Employment in Bangladesh |url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000075760/PDF/75760eng.pdf.multi |publisher=UNESCO |year=1983 |page=181 |isbn=92-803-1102-6}}</ref> Founded in 1875, the Dhaka Medical School was the first medical school in British East Bengal, which became Sir Salimullah Medical College in 1962.<ref>{{citation |author=Shahida Alam |chapter=Mitford Hospital |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Mitford_Hospital |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |editor=Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |year=2012 |edition=Second |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-date=1 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401071734/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Mitford_Hospital |url-status=live}}</ref> Other government medical colleges are [[Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College]], [[Mugda Medical College & Hospital|Mugda Medical College]] and [[Armed Forces Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh|Armed Forces Medical College, Dhaka]]. == Sports == [[File:Shere Bangla National Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium]]]] [[Cricket]] and [[Association football|football]] are the two most popular sports in Dhaka and across the nation.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Bangladesh|title=The New Encyclopædia Britannica|editor=Robert MacHenry|page=[https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia07ency/page/717 717]|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=1993|isbn=0-85229-571-5|chapter-url-access=registration|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia07ency/page/717}}</ref> Teams are fielded in intra-city and national competitions by many schools, colleges and private entities. The [[Mohammedan Sporting Club (Dhaka)|Mohammedan Sporting Club]] and [[Abahani Limited Dhaka|Abahani]] are two of the most famous football and cricket teams, maintaining a fierce rivalry, especially in the [[Bangladesh Football Premier League]].<ref name="starsport">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/06/17/d70617040133.htm|title=Tasty derby drawn|author=Al Musabbir Sadi|work=The Daily Star|date=17 June 2007|access-date=21 February 2009|archive-date=15 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515234304/http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/06/17/d70617040133.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Dhaka Metropolis cricket team]] represents Dhaka city in the [[National Cricket League]], the oldest domestic [[first-class cricket]] competition in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/news/ncl-set-start-today-2064609|title=NCL set to start today|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=22 March 2021|access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref> The [[Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League|Dhaka Premier League]] is the only domestic [[List A cricket]] tournament now in Bangladesh. It gained List A status in [[2013–14 Bangladeshi cricket season|2013–14 season]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/story/669635.html |title=Revamped Dhaka League ready for kick-off |access-date=30 January 2017 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203002509/http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/story/669635.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In domestic [[Twenty20]] cricket, Dhaka has a [[Bangladesh Premier League]] (BPL) franchise known as [[Dhaka Platoon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/news/dhaka-platoon-sent-packing-1853842|title=Dhaka Platoon sent packing|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=14 January 2020|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> Dhaka has the distinction of having hosted the first official [[Test cricket]] match of the [[Pakistan cricket team]] in 1954 against India.<ref name="First test">{{cite news |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=7 September 2006 |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/ground/56661.html |title=Stadium |access-date=26 May 2006 |archive-date=25 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625130015/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/ground/56661.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Bangabandhu National Stadium]] was formerly the main venue for domestic and international cricket matches, but now exclusively hosts football matches.<ref name="First test" /> It hosted the opening ceremony of the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/9400288.stm |title=Cricket World Cup: Grand ceremony launches tournament |work=BBC Sport |date=17 February 2011 |access-date=20 June 2011 |archive-date=19 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219051338/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/9400288.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> while the [[Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium]], exclusively used for cricket, hosted 6 matches of the tournament including two [[2011 Cricket World Cup knockout stage#Quarter-finals|quarter-final]] matches.<ref name="2011WC">{{cite news |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/engine/series/381449.html |title=ICC Cricket World Cup 2010/11 / Results |access-date=20 June 2011 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717161309/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/engine/series/381449.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Dhaka has also hosted the [[South Asian Games]] three times, in [[1985 South Asian Games|1985]], [[1993 South Asian Games|1993]] and [[2010 South Asian Games|2010]]. Dhaka is the first city to host the games three times. The Bangabandhu National Stadium was the main venue for all three editions.<ref name=news1>{{cite news |url=http://www.china.org.cn/sports/news/2009-02/18/content_17295836.htm|title=11th South Asian Games to start in January 2010|work=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=21 March 2009|archive-date=11 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211214613/http://www.china.org.cn/sports/news/2009-02/18/content_17295836.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Dhaka also hosted the [[ICC Men's T20 World Cup]], along with Chittagong and [[Sylhet]], in [[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketworld4u.com/series/icc-twenty20-wc-2014/index.php|title=2014 T20 WC Fixtures|date=27 October 2013|access-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101223826/http://www.cricketworld4u.com/series/icc-twenty20-wc-2014/index.php|archive-date=24 May 2021|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[National Sports Council]], responsible for promoting sports activities across the nation, is based in Dhaka. Dhaka also has stadiums largely used for domestic events such as the [[Bangladesh Army Stadium]], the [[Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium]], the [[Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium]], the [[Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium]] and the [[Outer Stadium Ground]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/town/56660.html |title=Grounds – Bangladesh: Dhaka |access-date=13 March 2008 |archive-date=6 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006162140/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/town/56660.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Dhaka University Ground]] and the BUET Sports Ground host many intercollegiate tournaments.<ref>{{cite book|author=Muhammad Abdur Rahim|title=The History of the University of Dacca|page=161|publisher=University of Dacca|year=1981|oclc=8765658}}</ref> There are two [[golf course]]s in Dhaka, [[Army Golf Club]] and [[Kurmitola Golf Club]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bangladesh Golf Federation |url=http://www.bgf-bd.org/ClubList |title=Bangladesh Golf Federation Member list |access-date=30 January 2017 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202070318/http://www.bgf-bd.org/ClubList |url-status=live }}</ref> == Transport == ===Public transportation=== [[File:Rickshaws Dhaka.jpg|thumb|left|Cycle rickshaws are the most popular mode of transport in Dhaka]] Dhaka suffers some of the worst traffic congestion in the world. The city lacks an organized public transport system. [[Cycle rickshaw]]s and [[auto rickshaw#Bangladesh|auto rickshaws]] are the main mode of transport within the metro area, with close to 400,000 rickshaws running each day: the highest number in any city in the world.<ref name="CiE"/><ref name="Rickshaws2">{{cite news |last=Lawson |first=Alastair |date=10 May 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/2300179.stm |title=Dhaka's beleaguered rickshaw wallahs |work=BBC News |access-date=17 December 2008 |archive-date=1 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701021024/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/2300179.stm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rickshaws1">{{cite news |url=http://student.britannica.com/eb/art-72937/More-rickshaws-are-found-in-Dhaka-Bangladesh-than-in-any |title=rickshaw: Dhaka |work=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=17 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116082507/http://student.britannica.com/eb/art-72937/More-rickshaws-are-found-in-Dhaka-Bangladesh-than-in-any |archive-date=16 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Cervero |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Cervero |title=Informal Transport in the Developing World |year=2000 |publisher=UN Habitat |place=Nairobi |url=https://unhabitat.org/books/informal-transport-in-the-developing-world/ |page=25 |isbn=92-1-131453-4 |language=en-US |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=20 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120123032/http://unhabitat.org/books/informal-transport-in-the-developing-world/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, only about 85,000 rickshaws are licensed by the city government.<ref name="EDemo1"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Rizanuzzaman Laskar |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/03/04/d703042503132.htm |title=Rickshaw pullers get licences |work=The Daily Star |date=4 March 2007 |access-date=25 January 2009 |archive-date=6 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306082749/http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/03/04/d703042503132.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Relatively low-cost and non-polluting cycle rickshaws are superior to private cars, which are exclusively responsible for Dhaka's congestion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/politics/news/ban-rickshaw-how-logical-it-1767535|title=Ban on rickshaw: How logical is it?|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|author=Mohammad Al-Masum Molla|date=7 July 2019|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> The government has overseen the replacement of two-stroke engine auto rickshaws with "green auto-rickshaws", which run on [[compressed natural gas]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Rahman |first=Mushfiqur |year=2012 |chapter=Compressed Natural Gas |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Compressed_Natural_Gas |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |isbn=978-984-32-0576-6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418065056/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Compressed_Natural_Gas |archive-date=18 April 2015 |access-date=17 January 2008}}</ref> Public buses are operated by the state-run [[Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation]] (BRTC) and by numerous private companies and operators. Ride-sharing services like [[Uber]] and [[Pathao]] as well as [[Scooter (motorcycle)|scooters]] and privately owned cars are popular modes of transportation. Limited numbers of taxis are available. It is planned to raise the total number of taxis to 18,000 gradually.<ref name=Taxis>{{cite news |date=10 May 2013 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/govt-to-import-5000-taxis/ |title=Govt to import 5,000 taxis |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |access-date=15 May 2013 |archive-date=22 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622201448/http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/govt-to-import-5000-taxis/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Uber>{{cite news |date=10 May 2013 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/uber-taxis-dhaka-1290241/ |title=Uber taxis in Dhaka |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |type=Editorial |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=27 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127144909/http://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/uber-taxis-dhaka-1290241 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Cabined>{{cite news |date=15 January 2018 |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/01/15/cabinet-ride-sharing-guideline-draft |title=Cabinet nods guideline draft legalizing Uber, Pathao |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]] |access-date=11 September 2018 |archive-date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911090241/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/01/15/cabinet-ride-sharing-guideline-draft |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Road=== [[File:BRTC double decker bus 03652.jpg|thumb|Double-decker bus of [[Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation|BRTC]]]] Dhaka is connected to the other parts of the country through highway and railway links. Five of the eight major [[List of roads in Bangladesh#Roads and Highways|national highways]] of Bangladesh start from the city: [[N1 (Bangladesh)|N1]], [[N2 (Bangladesh)|N2]], [[N3 (Bangladesh)|N3]], [[N5 (Bangladesh)|N5]] and [[N8 (Bangladesh)|N8]]. Dhaka is also directly connected to the two longest routes of the [[Asian Highway Network]]: [[AH1]] and [[AH2]], as well as to the [[AH41]] route. Highway links to the Indian cities of [[Kolkata]], [[Agartala]], [[Guwahati]] and [[Shillong]] have been established by the BRTC and private bus companies which also run regular international bus services to those cities from Dhaka.<ref name="BRTC">{{cite news |date=13 October 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3162854.stm |title=Passengers shun Dhaka-India bus |work=BBC News |access-date=7 September 2006 |first=Alastair |last=Lawson |archive-date=8 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308190204/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3162854.stm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hcidhaka.gov.in/pages.php?id=1244 |title=Details of Bus Services |publisher=hcidhaka.gov.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043359/https://www.hcidhaka.gov.in/pages.php?id=1244 |archive-date=2 February 2017 }}</ref> An elevated [[controlled-access highway|expressway]] system is under construction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=189387 |title=No more push for PPP initiative |work=The Daily Star |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=25 June 2011 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024151446/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=189387 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Dhaka Elevated Expressway]] would run from Shahjalal International Airport-Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Saatrasta-Moghbazar Rail Crossing-Khilgaon-Kamalapur-Golapbagh to Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Kutubkhali Point. A longer second elevated expressway from Airport-Ashulia is undergoing feasibility studies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.daily-sun.com/?view=details&type=daily_sun_news&pub_no=254&cat_id=1&menu_id=1&news_type_id=1&index=0&archiev=yes&arch_date=22-06-2011 |title=Govt plans to build 2nd expressway |work=Daily Sun |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=25 June 2011 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316134820/http://www.daily-sun.com/?view=details&type=daily_sun_news&pub_no=254&cat_id=1&menu_id=1&news_type_id=1&index=0&archiev=yes&arch_date=22-06-2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> There are three inter-district bus terminals in Dhaka, which are located at the Mohakhali, Saidabad and Gabtoli areas of the city. ===Waterway=== [[File:Buriganga 1.jpg|thumb|right|River cruise ships on the [[Port of Dhaka]]]] The [[Dhaka Sadarghat|Sadarghat River Port]] on the banks of the Buriganga River serves for the transport of goods and passengers upriver and to other ports in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Dhaka |title=Asian Highway Handbook |page=28 |publisher=United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Publications |year=2005 |isbn=92-1-120170-5 |author=Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.}}</ref> Inter-city and inter-district motor vessels and passenger-ferry services are used by many people to travel riverine regions of the country from the city. [[Water taxi|Water bus]] services are available on Buriganga River and Hatirjheel and Gulshan lakes. Water buses of the Buriganga River ferry passengers on Sadarghat to Gabtali route.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://businessnews-bd.com/waterbus-service-launched-on-sadarghat-gabtali-river-route/ |title=Waterbus service launched on Sadarghat-Gabtali river route |publisher=Bangladesh Business News |date=28 August 2010 |access-date=1 April 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402082849/https://businessnews-bd.com/waterbus-service-launched-on-sadarghat-gabtali-river-route/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Water taxis in Hatirjheel and Gulshan lakes provide connectivity via two routes, one route between Tejgaon and Gulshan and the other route between the Tejgaon and Rampura areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/12/06/water-taxi-services-on-dhakas-hatirjheel-from-victory-day |title=Water taxi services on Dhaka's Hatirjheel 'from Victory Day' |work=bdnews24.com |date=6 December 2016 |access-date=1 April 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402081705/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/12/06/water-taxi-services-on-dhakas-hatirjheel-from-victory-day |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Rail=== {{See also|Dhaka Metro Rail}} [[File:Bangladesh Railway, Komlapur Railway Station.jpg|thumb|Trains in the [[Kamalapur railway station]]]] [[Kamalapur railway station]], situated in the north-east side of [[Motijheel]], is the largest and busiest among the railway stations in the city.<ref name="Morshed">{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/perspective/quiet-masterpiece-serves-dhakas-gateway-1437574|title=A quiet masterpiece that serves as Dhaka's gateway|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|author=Adnan Zillur Morshed|date=24 July 2017|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> It was designed by American architect [[Robert Boughey]], and was completed in 1969.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Habib|first1=Kishwar|last2=De Meulder|first2=Bruno|year=2015|chapter=Rallying Towards the Nation Theatre of Nation Building in Post-colonial Dhaka|editor-last=Bracken|editor-first=Gregory|title=Asian Cities: Colonial to Global |publisher=Amsterdam University Press |page=230 |isbn=978-90-485-2824-0 |jstor=j.ctt16d69sf.14}}</ref> The state-owned [[Bangladesh Railway]] provides suburban and national services, with regular express train services connecting Dhaka with other major urban areas, such as [[Chittagong]], [[Rajshahi]], [[Khulna]], [[Sylhet]] and [[Rangpur City|Rangpur]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Marika McAdam |title=Bangladesh |page=66 |publisher=Lonely Planet |year=2004 |isbn=1-74059-280-8}}</ref> The [[Maitree Express]] provides connection from Dhaka to [[Kolkata]], one of the largest cities in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/maitree-express-run-dhaka-to-kolkata-6-days-week-1795198|title=Maitree to run 6 days a week|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|author=Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary|date=4 September 2019|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> In 2013, suburban services to [[Narayanganj]] and [[Gazipur City|Gazipur]] cities were upgraded using [[Diesel multiple unit#Diesel-electric|diesel electric multiple unit]] trains.<ref name="BR">{{cite news |date=24 April 2013 |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/04/24/pm-inaugurates-dhaka-narayanganj-demu-train |title=PM inaugurates Dhaka-Narayanganj DEMU train |work=[[bdnews24.com]] |access-date=1 May 2013 |archive-date=25 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625072207/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/04/24/pm-inaugurates-dhaka-narayanganj-demu-train |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BR1">{{cite news |date=24 April 2013 |url=http://archive.dhakatribune.com/development/2013/aug/22/demu-train-service-introduced-dhaka-joydebpur |title=Demu train service introduced on Dhaka-Joydebpur |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=22 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218141934/http://archive.dhakatribune.com/development/2013/aug/22/demu-train-service-introduced-dhaka-joydebpur |archive-date=18 December 2016 }}</ref> The Dhaka Metro Rail feasibility study has been completed. A {{convert|20.1|km||abbr=|adj=on}}, $2.8-billion Phase 1 metro route is being negotiated by the Government with [[Japan International Cooperation Agency]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130220/bangladesh-japan-strike-deal-28-bln-dhaka-metro-rail-0 |title=Bangladesh, Japan strike deal for $2.8-bln Dhaka metro rail |newspaper=GlobalPost |date=20 February 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521135029/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130220/bangladesh-japan-strike-deal-28-bln-dhaka-metro-rail-0 |archive-date=21 May 2013 }}</ref> The first route, originally projected to start from [[Uttara (Town)|Uttara]], a northern suburb of Dhaka, to Sayedabad, in the south of the capital,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=140486&date=2011-06-25|title=Muhith to sit with armed forces to resolve metro rail site dispute|newspaper=The Financial Express|date=25 June 2011|access-date=25 June 2011|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629162724/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=140486&date=2011-06-25|url-status=live}}</ref> was eventually extended north to Uttara and truncated south to Motijheel.<ref name="TDS-June27">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/37-minutes-1245778|title=In 37 minutes|date=26 June 2016|access-date=25 July 2016|archive-date=16 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716004148/http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/37-minutes-1245778|url-status=live}}</ref> Initiatives have been taken to extend MRT Line-6 from Motijheel to Kamalapur. Topographic Survey has already been completed. Social Survey in progress. The length of this part is 1.17 km. This will enable the passengers of Kamalapur railway station to travel by metro rail.<ref>{{Cite web|title=(FAQs) of MRT Line 6|url=http://www.dmtcl.gov.bd/site/page/2e752bbe-a0bf-4764-a4cc-fd6640db4cd6/-|access-date=2021-07-19|website=www.dmtcl.gov.bd|language=bn}}</ref> The route consists of 16 elevated stations each {{Convert|180|m|ft|abbr=}} long. Construction began on 26 June 2016.<ref name="TDS-June 28">{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/pm-opens-work-metro-brt-1246204 |title=PM opens work on metro, BRT |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=27 June 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807111652/http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/pm-opens-work-metro-brt-1246204 |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Air=== [[File:Biman Bangladesh Airlines S2-AFM (7850129206).jpg|thumb|[[Runway]] and [[airport apron|apron]] area of the Shahjalal International Airport]] [[Shahjalal International Airport]], located {{convert|15|km}} north of Dhaka city centre, is the largest and busiest international airport in the country.<ref name="Air">{{cite book |last=Alam |first=Jobair Bin |year=2012 |chapter=Air Transport |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Air_Transport |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |isbn=978-984-32-0576-6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701035850/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Air_Transport |archive-date=1 July 2015 |access-date=17 January 2008}}</ref> The airport has an area of {{convert|1981|acre}}. The airport has a capacity of handling 15&nbsp;million passengers annually,<ref name=capacity>{{cite news |last=Byron |first=Rejaul Karim |title=New int'l airport to cost Tk 50,000cr |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=152589 |access-date=16 November 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=28 August 2010 |archive-date=31 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031082713/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=152589 |url-status=live}}</ref> and is predicted by the [[Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh]] to be sufficient to meet demand until 2026.<ref name=caab>{{cite web |title=Airport Development History |url=http://www.caab.gov.bd/devlpmnts/devhis.html |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=11 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111182729/http://www.caab.gov.bd/devlpmnts/devhis.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, it handled 6.1&nbsp;million passengers, and 248,000 tonnes of cargo.<ref>{{cite news |title=CAAB initiates efforts to expand and upgrade HSIA To build a new airport for Dhaka |url=http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/news_detail.php?nhid=6199&CID=1 |access-date=21 July 2013 |newspaper=The Bangladesh Monitor |date=1 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405130549/http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/news_detail.php?nhid=6199&CID=1 |archive-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> Average aircraft movement per day is around 190 flights.<ref name="thedailystar.net">{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=234667 |title=Shahjalal airport set for upgrade in two months |work=The Daily Star |access-date=4 June 2015 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118102210/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-234667 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is the hub of all [[List of airlines of Bangladesh|Bangladeshi airlines]]. Domestic service flies to Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, [[Cox's Bazar]], [[Jessore (city)|Jessore]], [[Barisal]], [[Saidpur, Bangladesh|Saidpur]] and international services fly to major cities in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.<ref name=intsched>{{cite web |title=Biman's Destination: International Destinations |work=Biman Bangladesh Airlines |url=http://biman-airlines.com/our-network/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701060706/http://biman-airlines.com/our-network |archive-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=dhkcityguide>{{cite web |title=Dhaka – Zia International Airport (DAC) |work=World Executive |publisher=OE Interactive |url=http://www.worldexecutive.com/locations/asia_pacific/bangladesh/dhaka/airports.html |access-date=15 May 2013 |archive-date=24 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424120233/http://www.worldexecutive.com/locations/asia_pacific/bangladesh/dhaka/airports.html |url-status=live}}</ref> A third international terminal is under construction and it is expected to be operational in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=CAAB initiates efforts to expand, upgrade HSIA to elevate its international standing |url=http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/news_detail.php?nhid=4542&CID=1&archivedate= |access-date=21 July 2013|newspaper=The Bangladesh Monitor |date=1 July 2013}}</ref> According to the project design, the third terminal will have 12 boarding bridges and 12 conveyor belts. The terminal will have 115 check-in counters, 59 immigration desks. ==Twin towns – sister cities== Dhaka is [[Sister city|twinned]] with: *{{flagicon|PAK}} [[Karachi]], Pakistan<ref>{{cite news|title=Islamabad to get new sister city|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1230842|access-date=4 July 2019|newspaper=Dawn|date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318182531/https://www.dawn.com/news/1230842|archive-date=18 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|IND}} [[Kolkata]], India<ref>{{cite news|last=Mazumdar|first=Jaideep|title=A tale of two cities: Will Kolkata learn from her sister?|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/A-tale-of-two-cities-Will-Kolkata-learn-from-her-sister/articleshow/25916888.cms|access-date=24 May 2021|newspaper=Times of India|date=17 November 2013|location=New Delhi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723040319/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/A-tale-of-two-cities-Will-Kolkata-learn-from-her-sister/articleshow/25916888.cms|archive-date=23 July 2014}}</ref> == See also == {{div col}} * [[List of districts and suburbs of Dhaka]] * [[List of places of worship in Dhaka city]] * [[List of largest cities]] * [[List of metropolitan areas in Asia]] * [[List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees]] * [[List of urban agglomerations in Asia]] {{div col end}} {{Portal bar|Geography|Bangladesh|Asia}} == References == {{reflist|28em}} == Further reading == {{See also|Timeline of Dhaka#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Dhaka}} * {{cite book|title=Dhaka -past present future|editor=Sharuf Uddin Ahmed|publisher=The Asiatic Society, Dhaka|year=1991|isbn=984-512-335-X}} * {{cite book|last=Karim|first=Abdul|title=History of Bengal, Mughal Period (I)|location=Rajshahi|year=1992}} * {{cite book|last=Pryer|first=Jane|title=Poverty and Vulnerability in Dhaka Slums: The Urban Livelihood Study|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|isbn=0-7546-1864-1|year=2003|oclc=123337526|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/povertyvulnerabi0000prye}} * {{cite book|last=Rabbani|first=Golam|year=1997|title=Dhaka, from Mughal outpost to metropolis|publisher=University Press, Dhaka|isbn=984-05-1374-5}} * {{cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Sir Jadunath|title=History of Bengal (II)|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.283718|location=Dhaka|year=1948}} * {{cite book|last=Taifoor|first=S.M.|title=Glimpses of Old Dacca|location=Dhaka|year=1956}} == External links == {{Commons|Dhaka}} {{wikivoyage|Dhaka}} * [http://www.rajukdhaka.gov.bd/ Capital Development Authority] * [http://www.dncc.gov.bd/ Dhaka North City Corporation] * [http://dhakasouthcity.gov.bd/ Dhaka South City Corporation] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20170606045741/http://www.dtcb.gov.bd/ Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority] * [http://www.dmp.gov.bd/ Dhaka Metropolitan Police website] {{Geographic location | Centre = Dhaka City | North = [[Gazipur City]] | Northeast = [[Purbachal New Town]] | East = [[Rupganj Upazila]], [[Narayanganj District]] | Southeast = [[Narayanganj|Narayanganj City]] | South = [[Keraniganj Upazila]], [[Dhaka District]] | Southwest = [[Keraniganj Upazila]], [[Dhaka District]] | West = [[Savar Upazila]], [[Dhaka District]] | Northwest = [[Savar Upazila]], [[Dhaka District]] }} {{Navboxes |title = Articles Related to Dhaka |list = {{Dhaka|state=uncollapsed}} {{Dhakaplaces}} {{Largest cities of Bangladesh}} {{BDeshCities}} {{List of Asian capitals by region|state=collapsed}} {{World's most populated urban areas}} {{Megacities}} }} {{Subject bar |book= |portal2=Geography |portal3=Bangladesh |portal4=Asia |commons=yes |n=yes |n-search=Category:Dhaka |wikt=yes |b=yes |q=yes |s=yes |v=yes |voy=yes |d=yes |d-search=Q60}} {{Featured article}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Dhaka| ]] [[Category:History of Bengal]] [[Category:Bengal]] [[Category:Capitals in Asia]] [[Category:Populated places in Dhaka Division]] [[Category:South Asia]] [[Category:Cities in Bangladesh]] [[Category:Articles containing video clips]] [[Category:17th-century BC establishments]] [[Category:Capitals of Bengal]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1608]]'