Fort de Lalbagh

"Dhaka is the sprawling capital of Bangladesh and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The vibrant and frenetic pace of the city is in sharp contrast to the still tranguil beauty of one of its treasures, the Lalbagh, or Aurangabad, Fort. The Lalbagh Fort was never finished and it deteriorated over the years, but careful excavation and restoration has uncovered much of the original layout and preserved that which remains. The lavish complex was begun in 1678 and planned as a large, rectangular compound bounded ty high defensive walls, a long fortification wall, and splendid gateways that protected the richly decorated structures inside. It was commissioned by Prince Muhammed Azam, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, in 1688 Work continued on the fort for fifteen months, at which point the prince was summoned from Dhaka to aid the emperor, and Goveror Nawab Shaista Khan (Mughal governor of Bengal 1664-88 took over. Shasta Khan's beloved daughter, Bibi Pari, who was betrothed to Muhammed Azam, died suxidenly and the fort project was stopped. Later a tomb was built for Bibi Pari, and this remains the best preserved and most impressive of the surviving fort structures. Bibi Pari's tomb is located near two other striking buildings, the Mosque and the Lalbagh Hammam and Audience Hall — a monumental building thought to have been Shasta Khan's palatial residence. Apart from the imposing beauty of the fort buildings, there is a highly sophisticated grid of water works — sewage and drainage pipes that chaneled hot and cold water, served a heating system, and disposed of waste. The fort, now a museum, is imbued with the colorful history of Dhakas past and brings together some of the finest buildings in the city — it is a site of great historic and cultural importance"