Mughal architecture, Lalbagh Fort of Dhaka

In the introduction of Lalbagh fort it can be says that, it's not just a fort of Mughal Emperor, it's bears
the greatest architectural structure and most popular sign of art by the Mughal's in Bangladesh. The fort is also known as Fort Aurangabad. But people called it the Lalbagh Fort because of it's situated in the Lalbagh area of Dhaka and the bank of river Buriganga bears the rich red soil.

Unfortunately the structure was incomplete, cause of leaving Bangla of a Mughal Emperor named Prince Muhammad  Azam (3rd son of Aurangazeb) who started the work of the fort in 1678 during his vice-royality in Bangladesh (Previous Bengal). He stayed in Bangla for 15 months. It remained incomplete when he was called by his father Aurangazeb.

At that time Shaista Khan was the new Subedar of Dhaka, and he did not complete the fort. Caused of an unfortunate death of the daughter of Shaista Khan named Iran Dukht (Pari Bibi) In 1684. After her death, he started to think the fort as ominous, and left the structure incomplete. Among the 3 major parts of Lalbagh Fort, one is the tomb of Pari Bibi.



After Shaista Khan left Dhaka, it lost its popularity. The main cause was that the capital was replaced from Dhaka to Murshidabad. After the end of the royal Mughal period, the fort became abandoned. In 1844, the area achieved its name as Lalbagh replacing Aurangabad, so the fort as Lalbagh Fort.

Lalbagh Fort is also the witness of the revolt of the native soldiers against the British during the Great Rebellion of 1857. As in the Red Fort in India, they were defeated by the force led by the East India Company. They and the soldiers who fled from Meerat were hanged to death in the Victoria Park. In 1858 the declaration of Queen Victoria of taking over the administrative control of India from the Company was read out at the Victoria park, declaration renamed Bahadur Shah Park after the name of the last Mughal Emperor who led that greatest rebellion against then British empire.


Structural layout :
The fort was long considered to be a combination of three buildings:
The mosque;
The Tomb of Bibi Pari; and
The Diwan-I-Aam, comprising two gateways and a portion of the partly damaged fortification wall.
Recent excavations carried out by the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh, however, have revealed the existence of other structures, and it is now possible to have a more or less complete picture of the fort.

From past to present the mosque is still now used for praying. Its structure and the interior designs are great. People get amazed by seeing this kind of royal art. Many Islamic art and wall designs are preserved there.


The Mausoleum of Pari Bibi is extraordinary because of its materials of construction: black basalt, colours have been used to decorate its interior, while the central chamber, where Pari Bibi is buried, is entirely veneered with white marble.

white marble and encaustic tiles of various

Diwan-I-Aam is the greatest part of Lalbagh Fort. It is the only monument where anyone can enter. It was used as office at that time. Diwan-i-aam is the place from where the Mughal Emperor gave directions to the normal people once in a week. There is also a royal bathroom house known as hammam.

The total area of Lalbagh fort there are also Royal garden and drainage system. After a certain time, Mughal emperor Aurangazeb donated the fort to Shasta khan in memory of his daughter Pari Bibi. The successor of Shaista khan got revenue after his death by leasing the fort to the government. After 1853 the cantonment was replaced in Lalbagh Fort from Purana Paltan. Almost 3 million people visit this place every year.

Visiting hours:

April to September

Tuesday to Saturday : 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM & Leisure time : 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM 

Friday : 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM & 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM 

Monday : 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM 

October to March

Tuesday to Saturday : 

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM & Leisure time : 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM 

Friday : 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM 

Monday : 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM