Lalbagh Fort
A traditional building of old Dhaka is Lalbagh Fort. Its previous name was Aurangabad Fort. It is an unfinished fort built during the Mughal period, the construction of which was started in 1678. Mughal Emperor Muhammad Azam Shah named it after his father Emperor Aurangzeb. Later, in 1860, Emperor Shaista Khan again started the construction of the Lalbagh Fort but could not complete it. (Top 10 Places in Dhaka You must visit in 2022
Location of Lalbagh Fort-
The location of Lalbagh Fort is on the southwest side of the Buriganga River in Dhaka.
How to go to Lalbagh Fort-
You have to come to Old Dhaka by Bus/CNG/Rickshaw from anywhere in Dhaka. Besides, you can come to Gulisthan by bus and then take a rickshaw to Lalbagh Fort.
Lalbagh Fort Visiting Schedule-
Lalbagh Fort weekend is Sunday. Besides, it is closed on public days. It is open at different times in summer and winter.
Summer (April to September)-
Sunday – Closed weekly.
Monday – Open 2.30 pm – 6 pm.
Friday – Open from 10 AM – 12 PM and 2 PM – 6 PM.
Open from 10 am – 6 pm on other days, with an occasional lunch break from 1 pm – 1:30 pm.
Winter (October to March)-
Sunday – Closed weekly.
Monday – Open 2.30 pm – 5 pm.
Friday – Open 9 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 5 pm.
Open from 9 am – 5 pm on other days, with an occasional lunch break from 1 pm – 1:30 pm.
Lalbagh Fort Ticket Price-
The ticket counter is located next to the main entrance of Lalbagh Fort. Weekends are crowded with people.
The ticket price per person for Bangladeshi visitors is Tk 20 only.
Children under 5 do not require a ticket.
The ticket price for foreign tourists is Tk 200 per person only.
What will I see in Lalbagh Fort?
Lalbagh Fort has three main gates but currently, one gate is open to all. The entire Lalbagh Fort is decorated with flower gardens. But this fort looks most beautiful in spring.
You will see here-
1) Pori Bibi’s shrine or tomb
2) Fort Mosque or Shahi Masjid with three domes
3) Lalbagh Fort Museum
4) Fort Tunnel
Pori Bibi Shrine-
Poribibi’s real name is Iran Dukht. She is the daughter of Mughal Emperor Shaista Khan of Bengal. Pori Bibi’s shrine is the first thing that comes into sight when you go directly through the main entrance door. When Pori Bibi died in 1684, her father buried her in the Lalbagh Fort. He left this fort soon after his daughter’s death. And he was so distressed that he considered this Lalbagh fort as unpropitious. To preserve the memory of his daughter, he built a 9-room shrine around her tomb. Pori Bibi’s tomb is in the main room and there are 8 more rooms around it. All these nine houses are covered with touchstones, marble stones, and glittering crafts. The dome above the main tomb is made of gold. But currently, it is wrapped by a copper sheet. However the most shocking news is that, according to experts, Poribibi’s body is not here.
Lalbagh Fort Museum-
This museum inside the Lalbagh Fort was originally the residence of Shaista Khan. No extra ticket is required to enter here. Many items used by Shaista Khan are displayed in the museum. Apart from this, you can see various weapons that were used in the war, and also you will see clothes, coins, porcelain pots, etc. during the Mughal period.
Fort Masjid or Shahi Masjid with three domes-
When Emperor Aurangzeb’s third son Shahzada Azam Khan was the Subadar of Bengal, he built this mosque. The period of construction was 1678-79 AD. The length of the mosque is 19.19 m and the width is 9.84 m. This type of old mosque is rare now. Currently, the mosque is open for Muslims to pray.
The tunnel-
The most fascinating and mysterious structure of Lalbagh Fort is this tunnel. It is said that this tunnel was built for soldiers and emperors so that they can escape safely during wartime. Many people believe that this road reached Delhi, India through the Buriganga River. Currently, the mouth of the tunnel is locked for the safety of the public.
Also here you will see a Dighi(lake). But there is no water in the Dighi.
Tips and Warnings-
1) Avoid plucking flowers and leaves.
2) Don’t litter anywhere in the fort.
3) Try to avoid weekends to avoid crowds
