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Dhaka

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008

Dhaka or Dacca , city (1991 pop. 6,844,131), capital of Bangladesh, on a channel of the Dhaleswari River, in the heart of the world's largest jute-growing region. It is the industrial, commercial, and administrative center of Bangladesh, with trade in jute, rice, oilseeds, sugar, and tea. The city comprises three distinct sections: an old area of narrow streets and bazaars; a modern part, called Ramna, with government, tourist, and cultural facilities; and a residential and industrial community N and W of Ramna. Between Dhaka and its nearby river port of Narayanganj lies Bangladesh's greatest industrial concentration. Manufactures include textiles, cotton saris, jute products, rope, string, baskets, and boats. Dhaka is famous for its cottage industries (especially confectioneries) and handicrafts (particularly filigree work, embroidery, and shell carving). In the late 19th cent., competition from British cloth virtually ended the manufacture of Dhaka's world-renowned muslins. Dhaka's history dates back to c.AD 1,000, but the city achieved glory as the 17th-century Mughal capital of Bengal. English, French, and Dutch industrialists set up factories there in the 17th and 18th cent., and Dhaka passed under British rule in 1765. It became the capital of East Pakistan in 1947. The city was surrendered by the Pakistani army to Indian troops in Dec., 1971, and a few days later became capital of the provisional government of Bangladesh. Landmarks include the Dakeshwari [ "hidden goddess" ] temple, from which the city's name probably derives; the Bara Katra palace (1644); the Lal Bagh fort (1678); and several beautiful mosques. The Univ. of Dhaka (founded 1921) and other higher educational facilities and agriculture research institutes are also in the city. The surrounding district is a very densely populated and fertile agricultural region that is subject to heavy monsoon floods.

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