Lalbagh Fort was also known as Fort Aurangabad. This is an incomplete 17th century Mughal fort complex situated on the bank of the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka. The construction of the fort was started in 1678 by Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah . He was the son of Emperor Aurangzeb .
The third son of Aurangzeb and Mughal prince Muhammad Azam, started the construction of the fort in 1678 during his vice-royalty in Bengal. He stayed in this part only for 15 months. The fort remained incomplete when he was called up by his father Aurangzeb. Then Shaista Khan became the new subahdar of Dhaka in that time, and he did not complete the fort.
In 1684, the daughter of Shaista Khan, Iran Dukht Pari Bibi died there. He thought that the death was due the fort and ultimately left the structure incomplete. There are three major parts of the building.
• The Mosque (West side)
• The tomb of Pari-Bibi (Middle of the east-west side of the fort)
• The Diwan-i-aam palace (East side)
Among the three major parts of Lalbagh Fort, one is the tomb of Pari Bibi. Later, this fort lost its popularity due to moving the capital Dhaka to Murshidabad. After the end of the royal Mughal period, the fort became abandoned. In 1844, the area acquired its name as Lalbagh replacing Aurangabad, and the fort became Lalbagh Fort.
Myth
There are various myths revolved around the fort. Among them, it is widely believed that Lalbagh Fort stands as a monument of the incomplete dreams of Prince Muhammad Azam, the son of Emperor Aurangzeb. In the mid 17th century, he was serving as the Viceroy of Bengal and began the construction of Fort complex and since then, many stories about the fort begin. Before finishing the construction, Prince Azam was called back to his father, to assist in the war against the Marathas. Shubedar Shaista Khan continued with building the project, but upon his much-loved daughter Iran-Dukht, known as Pari Bibi, suddenly died. People believed that Pari Bibi was engaged to Prince Azam at the time of her death.
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| Front view of Lalbagh Fort |
There are also legends and debates about the identity of Pari Bibi. Few researchers claim she was a nine-year-old Ahom princess. Mir Jumals Ahom’s expedition brought a war adjoining the Garo hills. He took the daughter of Ahom Raja to compel him for the full execution of the previous peace treaty. Later, the emperor made her convert to Islam and married her off to prince Azam. However, apart from all myths and debates, people now believe that she was the daughter of Nawab Shaista Khan.
Visiting Details for Lalbagh
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Entry Fees
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· Local Tourists: 20 TK
· SAARC Country Tourists: 100 TK
· Other Foreigners: 200 TK
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Visiting Time
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Summer Season (Apr – Sep)
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· Tuesday – Saturday: 10.00 AM – 01.00 PM, 01.30 PM – 06.00 PM
· Friday: 10.00 AM – 12.30 PM, 02.30 PM – 06.00 PM
· Sunday: Weekly Holiday
· Monday: 02.30 PM – 06.00 PM
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Winter Season (Oct–Mar)
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· Tuesday – Saturday: 09.00 AM – 01.00 PM, 01.30 PM – 05.00 PM
· Friday: 09.00 AM – 12.30 PM, 02.00 PM – 05.00 PM
· Sunday: Weekly Holiday
· Monday: 01.30 PM – 05.00 PM
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Eid Holidays
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Lalbagh Fort will remain closed for visitors during Eid day and the previous day of Eid. It will remain open as usual from the next day of Eid day
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Govt. Holidays
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Lalbagh Fort will remain closed during any govt. holiday.
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Ramadan Timing
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Lalbagh Fort will be closed at 04.00 PM during the holy month of Ramadan.
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