Dhaka

views updated Jun 08 2018

Dhaka (Dacca) Capital of Bangladesh, a port on the Ganges delta, e Bangladesh. Its influence grew as the 17th century Mogul capital of Bengal. In 1765 it came under British control. At independence (1947) it was made capital of the province of East Pakistan. Severely damaged during the war of independence from Pakistan, it became capital of independent Bangladesh (1971). Sites include the Dakeshwari Temple, Bara Katra Palace (1644) and mosques. It is in the centre of the world's largest jute-producing area. Industries: engineering, textiles, printing, glass, chemicals. Pop. (2001) 5,378,034; 9,912,808 (metropolitan).