Dhaka has been the subject of fascination with both travellers and historians in South Asia. The city has suffered a long, fractured and brutal history, witnessing the turmoil of Partition in 1947 and the creation of the state of Bangladesh in 1972, as well as the heartache of wartime devastation and a flurry of natural calamities throughout its past. However, Bangladesh’s capital still retains a distinct sense of heritage and cultural identity, referencing its eclectic historical background in every architectural corner of the city.

Dhaka formerly known as Dacca is  city of the people’s republic of Bangladesh. The history of Dhaka goes back to the 7th century AD to Buddhist times, when it belonged to the ancient kingdom of Kamarupa; after this, it passed into the hands of the Hindu Sena rulers (9th century AD), Turkish, Afghan and Mughal governors, until the British East India Company took control in 1765. The British built latest educational institutions and public works, a modern system for supply of water in the year 1874 and introduced electricity in 1878. After Bengal’s partition in the year 1905 and the second partition again in the year 1946, Dhaka was made the capital city of East Bengal. On 15th of August, in the year 1947, the state merged into the newly fomed Pakistan.

However, the ethnic Bengali populace felt discriminated against by the central government, leading to public anger, and they declared Bangladesh as an independent state in March, 1971. In their turn, the Pakistan Army launched a counter operation, arresting and killing thousands of Bengali students, intellectuals and ordinary people. Finally the Indian Army marched into Bangladesh in December, 1971 and captured Dhaka, leading to the creation of a new, independent state of Bangladesh. The name of the city is believed to be derived from the temple dedicated to the Goddess Dhakeshwari, built by Raja Ballal Sena in the 12th century.

Dhaka, a city replete with history, lies on the banks of the Buriganga River. The old parts of the city lie to the south of the city centre, and this is where most of the tourist attractions are found. The old European area lies to the north of Dhaka’s old town; the Presidential mansion, the National Museum and Dhaka’s business district and diplomatic regions are located to the north-east of this part of the city. If you take a taxi ride into the suburbs you can visit the Dhaka Zoo and the Botanical Gardens.

Dhaka was famous from time immemorial for its fine muslin. Now, pink pearls and its rich variety of traditional handicrafts take pride of place. Shoppers will also find gold and silver products at amazingly low prices. New Market, Elephant Road and Dhanmondi are the best areas for shopping. Dhaka is not lacking in famous monuments from the Mughal era and these are a must visit. Lalbagh Fort was built in 1678 by the Mughal governor Nawab Shaista Khan. It contains a mosque, tomb, the Hall for Audience and the hammam. Ahsan Manzil Palace Museum is the former home of the Nawab of Dhaka; it has 23 galleries displaying paintings, furniture and articles of household use. Star Mosque is a beautiful, 200 year old mosque, famous for the thousands of stars which twinkle on its surface. You can see a large collection of antiques and sculptors from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods in the National Museum.

Wedding traditions and ceremonies may differ from country to country, but one thing remains the same, the wedding represents the legal union between two partners in the eyes of the law and their chosen church or religion. These days, despite the popularity of modern weddings, a number of couples still believe in incorporating a hint of tradition into their contemporary nuptials. Bangladesh, a vast country rich in culture and history, has its own set of wedding customs, traditions and wedding attire. This article will help you to know more about traditional weddings in Bangladesh.

Five Elements of Bangladesh Weddings:

Unlike Toronto marriage ceremonies, matchmakers known as Ghotoks, who are normally relatives or friends of both the couple’s families, arrange Bangladesh traditional weddings. These matchmakers facilitate any settlements between the couple. This is where the introduction of the couple to each other is facilitated. By far the most populous in Bangladeshi population who have Bangladesh traditional weddings are the Bengalis tribe. The event takes place in five essential elements; firstly is the groom and bride’s Mehendi Shondha, Gaye Holud for the bride, Gaye Holud for the groom, the Beeya, and finally the Bou Bhaat. Held during separate days, they are a mixture of formal and informal ceremonies. Increasingly gaining popularity, the initial ceremony is informal, where the bride is presented by the groom with a ring, which marks their engagement.

Ceremonies before the Wedding :

During the Mehendi Shondha, the bridal party applies henna on each other, including the bride. This is done for the groom’s family, when in the Gaye Holud; the groom’s family proceeds in a march to the home of the bride’s family. Just like Toronto weddings, the groom is not present in this procession. This convoy traditionally revolves around the bride’s younger friends and relatives, who are all wearing matching traditional outfits that are mostly orange. The henna applied to the bride is in intricate and abstract designs, upon her feet and hands. The bride sits on a dais, where all involved feed her with sweets, gradually.

Following the events of Gaye Holud, the actual Bangladesh traditional weddings or Beeye, is held. The arrangement of this marriage ceremony is conducted by the family of the bride. On the day of the Bangladesh traditional weddings, the younger bridal family members barricade the venue’s entrance and demand an admission offering from the groom for letting him into the venue, following which he proceeds to sit separately from the bride. This is so that a government approved wedding authorizer, known as a Kazi, accompanied by witnesses and the parents of the bride and groom ask the groom and bride respectively for their consents to the wedding. Just like Toronto weddings, they also hold reception parties. The reception called Bou Bhaat, is facilitated by the family of the groom as a return gesture for the wedding ceremony, and features a more relaxed atmosphere, and at which different ceremonial attire is worn.

Traditional Wedding Feasts:

Feasts for the guests are essential features of Bangladesh traditional weddings. Just like Toronto weddings, guests bring with them gifts for the couple. Depending on the resources of the parents of the couple, guests may range from fifty to five thousand, with wedding menus featuring sweets such as payesh and zarda, salads, spiced yoghurt’s burhani, biryani made of chicken and mutton, mutton rezala, roast chicken, and beef kebab. The Hindu ceremonies consist of menus including sweetened yoghurt, uncastrated goat meat’s curry, fish curry, vegetable dishes, and plain rice. In some areas such as Chittagong, these feasts can last for days. Unlike Toronto ceremonies, bride price, or dowry is payable in both Muslim and Hindu communities, and a dearth of good brides and grooms determine which family should pay dowry and which side should receive it, and how much it should be.