Shahbag

Shahbag (also Shahbaugh, _bn. শাহবাগ "Shabag"; IPA2|ˈʃabag) is a major neighbourhood and a police precinct or "Thana" in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is also a major public transport hub, [cite news
last = Nawazish
first = Mohammed
title = Bus Menace In Dhaka Streets
work =
language = English
publisher = Bangladesh Observer
date = 2003-09-17
url = http://web.archive.org/web/20050321202026/http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2003/09/17/editorial.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] and serves as a junction between two contrasting sections of the city—Old Dhaka and New Dhaka—which lie, respectively, to its north and south. Developed in the 17th century during Mughal rule in Bengal, when Old Dhaka was the provincial capital and a centre of the flourishing muslin industry, the neighborhood was originally named "Bagh-e-Badshahi" (Persian: "Garden of the Master Kings"), but later came to be called by the shortened name "Shah" (Persian:شاه, king) "Bagh" (Persian: باغ, garden). [cite web
title = Dhaka City under the Mughals
publisher = Dhaka City Corporation
url = http://www.dhakacity.org/his_under_mughal.html
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] In the mid-19th century, the construction of buildings in and around Shahbag ushered in the development of New Dhaka as a provincial centre of the British Raj and ended a century of decline brought on with the passing of Mughal rule.

Shahbag is home to the nation's leading educational and public institutions, including the University of Dhaka, the oldest and largest public university in Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, the largest public university for technological studies in the country. Shahbag hosts many street markets and bazaars, and since the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country in 1971, the Shahbag area has become a venue for celebrating major festivals, such as the Bengali New Year and Basanta Utsab.

Shahbag's numerous ponds, palaces and gardens have inspired the work of writers, singers, and poets. The "Thana" area, with Dhaka University at its centre, has seen the debut of some of the major political movements in the nation's history, including the All India Muslim Education Conference in 1905, which in turn spawned the All India Muslim League and led, in 1947, to both the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan; the Bengali Language Movement in 1952, which led to the recognition of Bengali as an official language of Pakistan; and the Six point movement in 1966, which led to the nation's independence. It was here, on March 7, 1971, that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered a historic speech calling for the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan, and here too, later that year, that the Pakistani Army surrendered in the Liberation War of Bangladesh. The area has since become a staging ground for protests by students and other groups. [cite news |first= Mubin S.|last=Khan |title=Eight days that shook the campus |url=http://www.weeklyholiday.net/020802/last.html |work=Weekly Holiday, Bangladesh|date= August 2, 2002|accessdate=2007-04-12 ] [cite news |title=DU students on rampage: Student injured in road accident|url=http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/may/10/10052006mt.htm |work=The Independent, Bangladesh |date=May 10, 2006|accessdate=2007-04-12 ] [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Environmentalists for steps to limit green house gas, global warming|url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/nov/12/met.html |work=The New Age, Bangladesh |publisher= |date=November 12, 2006|accessdate=2007-04-12 ]

History

Although urban settlements in the Dhaka area date back to the 7th century CE, [Jatindramohan Rai quotes "Rajtarangini" by Kalhan in "Dhakar Itihas", 1913] the earliest evidence of urban construction in the "Shahbag" area is to be found at monuments constructed after 1610, when the Mughals turned Dhaka into a provincial capital and established the gardens of Shahbag. Among these monuments are: the "Dhaka Gate", located near the Bangla Academy in Shahbag, and erected by Mir Jumla, the Mughal subadar of Bengal from 1660 to 1663; [cite news
last = Juberee
first = Abdullah
title = Dhaka Gate at DU stands unnoticed
publisher = New Age
date = 2006-03-11
url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/mar/11/met.html
accessdate = 2007-03-21] the "Mariam Saleha Mosque", a three-domed Mughal-style mosque in "Nilkhet-Babupara", constructed in 1706; [cite web
title = Mariam Saleha Mosque
publisher = Banglapedia
url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/M_0155.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] the "Musa Khan Mosque" on the western side of Dhaka University, likely constructed in the late 17th century; [cite web
title = Musa Khan Mosque
publisher = Banglapedia
url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/M_0413.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] and the "Khwaja Shahbaz's Mosque-Tomb", [cite web
title = Khwaja Shahbaz's Mosque-Tomb
publisher = Banglapedia
url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/K_0256.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] located behind the Dhaka High Court and built in 1679 by Khwaja Shahbaz, a merchant-prince of Dhaka during the vice-royalty of Prince Muhammad Azam, the son of Mughal Emperor Aurengzeb. [cite book
last = Syed Aulad
first = Hasan
title = Notes on the Antiquities of Dacca
publisher =
date = 1912
location = Dhaka
pages = 40–41
id = ]

However, with the decline of Mughal power in Bengal, the Shahbag gardens—"the Gardens of the Kings"—fell into neglect. In 1704, when the provincial capital was moved to Murshidabad, they became the property of the Naib Nazims—the Deputy-Governors of the sub-province of East Bengal—and the representatives of the Nawabs of Murshidabad. Although British power was established in Dacca in 1757, the upkeep of Shahbag gardens was resumed only in the early 19th century under the patronage of an East India Company judge, Griffith Cook, [cite book
last = Ahmed
first = Sharif Uddin
title = Dacca
publisher =
date = 1986
location = London
pages = 131
id = ] and a leader of the Armenian community of Dhaka, P. Aratun.cite book
last = Rahman Ali Taesh
first = Munshi
coauthors = (trans. AMM Sharfuddin)
title = Tawarikhey Dhaka
publisher =
date = 1985
location =
pages = 158–159
id = ] In 1830, the Ramna area, which included Shahbag, was incorporated into Dhaka city consequent to the deliberations of the "Dacca Committee" (for the development of Dacca town) founded by district collector Henry Walters. [cite web
title = Dhaka under the East India Company
publisher = Dhaka City Corporation
date =
url = http://www.dhakacity.org/his_under_company.html
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] A decade later, Nawab Khwaja Alimullah, founder of the Dhaka Nawab Family and father of Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani, purchased the Shahbag "zamindari" (estate) from the East India Company. Upon his death, in 1868, the estate passed to his grandson Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah. In the early 20th century, Ahsanullah's son, Sir Nawab Khwaja Salimullah, was able to reclaim some of the lost splendour of the gardens by dividing them into two smaller gardens—the present-day "Shahbag" and "Paribag" (or, "garden of fairies")—the latter named after Paribanu, one of Ahsanullah's daughters.

With the partition of Bengal in 1905, and with Dacca becoming the capital of the new province of East Bengal, European-style houses were rapidly built in the area, especially along the newly-constructed Fuller Road (named after Sir Bampfylde Fuller, the first Lieutenant Governor of East Bengal). Around this time, the first zoo in the Dhaka area was also opened in Shahbag. [cite web
title = Ramna Race course
publisher = Banglapedia
url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/R_0104.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ]

After the creation of the new nation of Pakistan in 1947, when Dhaka became the capital of East Pakistan, many new buildings were built in the Shahbag area, including, in 1960, the office of Bangladesh Betar, [cite web
title = Bangladesh Betar
publisher = Bangladesh Ministry of Information
date =
url = http://www.moi.gov.bd/bater.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] (then "Pakistan Radio"), the national radio station, the (now-defunct) Dacca race-course, as well as the second electric power-plant in East Bengal. On March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman chose the Ramna Racecourse near Shahbag to deliver his speech calling for an independent Bangladesh. During the ensuing Bangladesh Liberation War, many foreign journalists, including the Associated Press bureau chief in Pakistan, Arnold Zeitlin, and Washington Post reporter, David Greenway stayed at Hotel Intercontinental (now Hotel Sheraton) at the Shahbag Intersection. The hotel, which had been declared a "neutral zone", [cite news
last = Hasan
first = Khalid
title = PostCard USA: Arnold Zeitlin’s Pakistan
publisher = Observer Magazine
date = 2006-11-12
url = http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C06%5C11%5Cstory_11-6-2006_pg3_3
accessdate = 2006-11-12] [cite news
last = Zeitlin
first = Arnold
title = "I would rather die than sign any false statement"
publisher = The Daily Star
date = 2004-12-16
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2004/victory_day/vic03.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-12] [cite news
last = Badiuzzaman
first = Syed
title = War and remembrance
publisher = Weekly Holiday
date = 2005-08-21
url = http://www.weeklyholiday.net/2005/211005/mis.html
accessdate = 2006-11-12] nonetheless came under fire from both combatants in the war—the Mukti Bahini and Pakistani army.cite news
last = Khan
first = Md. Asadullah
title = My Experience on the First Victory Day
publisher = Observer Magazine
date = 2004-12-16
url = http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/magazine/page3.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-12] [cite news
last = Rashid
first = Harun Ur
title = Gallant Urban Guerrillas of 1971
publisher = The Daily Star
date = 2004-12-17
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2004/12/03/cover.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-12] At the conclusion of the war, the Hotel Intercontinental was at first chosen as the venue for the surrender ceremony of the West Pakistan army;cite news
last = Khan
first = Md. Asadullah
title = My Experience on the First Victory Day
publisher = Observer Magazine
date = 2004-12-16
url = http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/magazine/page3.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-12] however, the final surrender ceremony later took place in the nearby Ramna Park (now Suhrawardy Uddan).

Urban layout

With an area of convert|4.2|km2|sqmi|1 and an estimated 2006 population of 112,000 [cite press release
title =Shahbag Thana
publisher =Dhaka Metropolitan Police
date =2006-06-30
language =Bengali
url =
accessdate = ] Shabag lies within the monsoon climate zone at an elevation of 1.5 to 13 meters (5 to 43 ft) above mean sea level. [cite paper
author =S.A.T.M. Aminul Hoque
title =Dhaka
publisher =Disaster Management Committee, Dhaka City Corporation
url =http://www.ehs.unu.edu/file.php?id=121
format = PDF
accessdate =2007-04-17 ] Like rest of Dhaka city it has an annual average temperature of convert|25|°C|°F|0|abbr=on and monthly means varying between convert|18|°C|°F|0|abbr=on in January and convert|29|°C|°F|0|abbr=on in August. Nearly 80% of the annual average rainfall of convert|1854|mm|in|0|abbr=on occurs between May and September. [cite web
title = Dhaka
publisher = Bangla 2000
url = http://www.bangla2000.com/Bangladesh/Cities/dhaka.shtm
accessdate = 2007-04-17]

The Shahbag neighbourhood covers a large approximately rectangular area, extending on the east from Ramna Park to the Supreme Court of Bangladesh; on the west as far as Sonargaon Road; on the south as far as Fuller Road and from the University of Dhaka [cite web
title = Fun Facts
publisher = University of Dhaka
url = http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/2005/
accessdate = 2006-09-28 ] to the Suhrawardy Udyan (formerly, Ramna Racecourse); and on the north as far as Minto Road, Hotel Sheraton and the Diabetic Hospital.

Shahbag is home to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Control Room as well as a Dhaka Electric Supply Authority substation. The mausoleums of three leaders—Bengali statesman A.K. Fazlul Huq (1873—1962), former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy (1892—1963), and former Prime Minister and Governor-General of Pakistan, Khwaja Nazimuddin (1894—1964)—are all located in Shahbag. The major academic bodies around Shahbag Intersection and in Shahbag "Thana" area include: Dhaka University, Dhaka Medical College, BUET, Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU [cite web
title = Homepage
publisher = BSMMU
url = http://www.bsmmu.org/
accessdate = 2006-09-28 ] ), the only public medical university in the country, Institute of Fine Arts (formerly, Dhaka Art College), Institute of Cost & Management Accountants, IBA, Institute of Modern Languages, Udayan School, University Laboratory School, and the Engineering University School. Other public and educational institutions in the area include the Bangladesh National Museum, the Central Public Library, and the Shishu Academy, the National Academy for Children.

The Shahbag Intersection, the nerve centre of the neighbourhood, is the location of many Dhaka landmarks. Well-known ones include Hotel Sheraton [cite web
title = Homepage
publisher = Dhaka Sheraton
url = http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=200
accessdate = 2006-09-28 ] (formerly Hotel Intercontinental, the second five-star hotel in Dhaka); the Dhaka Club, the oldest and largest club in Dhaka, established in 1911; the National Tennis Complex; Shishu Park, the oldest children's entertainment park in Dhaka, notable for admitting underprivileged children "gratis" on weekends; "Sakura", the first bar in Dhaka; and "Peacock", the first Dhaka bar with outdoor seating. The Shahbag Intersection is one of the major public transportation hubs in Dhaka, along with Farmgate, Gulistan, Mohakhali, and Moghbazar. The "thana" also contains a hospitals complex, which is a major destination for Bangladeshis seeking medical treatment. The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB [cite web
title = Homepage
publisher = Diabetic Association of Bangladesh
url = http://www.dab-bd.org/
accessdate = 2006-09-28 ] ) is located at the Shahbag Intersection, as are BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders) and the BIRDEM Hospital. Flanking BIRDEM hospital is the Ibrahim Memorial Cardiac Hospital, named after Dr Muhammad Ibrahim, the founder of DAB and BIRDEM. Other facilities in the area are BSMMU Hospital (at the Intersection) and the Dhaka Medical College Hospital at the southern end of Shahbag.

Located at the juncture of two major bus routes – Gulistan to Mirpur and Motijheel to Uttara – Shahbag Intersection serves as a public transport hubs in Dhaka, where the population commutes exclusively by the city bus services. [cite news
last = Parveen
first = Shahnaz
title = Commuting in Dhaka city and its changing phases
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2003-07-01
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/2003/07/03/centre.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-17] [cite web
title = Light Rail Transit in Dhaka
work = Daily Star Article
publisher = Engconsult Ltd
url = http://www.eng-consult.com/pub/stararticle.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-17] The Intersection also has one of the few taxi stands in Dhaka. The thoroughfares of Shahbag has been made free of cycle-rickshaws, the traditional transport of Dhaka. [cite news
last = Rahman
first = Sultana
title = DUTP gets more time
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2004-06-23
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/06/23/d406232505119.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-17]

Historic mansions

Also located in Shahbag are several mansions built by Dhaka Nawab Family in the 19th century. These mansions not only figured prominently in the history of Dhaka, but also gained mention in the histories of both Bengal and British India.

A well-known Nawab family mansion is the Ishrat Manzil. Originally, a dance-hall for the performances of "Baijees", or dancing women, (including, among the famous ones, Piyari Bai, Heera Bai, Wamu Bai and Abedi Bai), the mansion became the venue for the All-India Muslim Education Society Conference in 1906, which was attended by 4,000 participants. In 1912, Society convened here again under the leadership of Nawab Salimullah, and met with Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy of India. The "Ishrat Manzil" was subsequently rebuilt as Hotel Shahbag (designed by British architects Edward Hicks and Ronald McConnel), the first major international hotel in Dhaka. In 1965, the building was acquired by the Institute of Post-graduate Medicine and Research (IPGMR), and later, in 1998, by the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Another Nawab mansion is the Jalsaghar. Built as a skating rink and a ballroom for the Nawabs, it was later converted into an eatery and meeting place for students and faculty of Dhaka University and renamed "Modhur Canteen". In the late 1960s, "Modhur Canteen" became a focal point for planning student protests against the West Pakistan regime. Flanked on one side by the Arts Faculty of Dhaka University and on the other by the IBA (Institute of Business Administration), the "Modhur Canteen" remains a powerful political symbol. [cite news
last = Khan
first = Mubin S
title = Glory days
publisher = New Age
date = 2005-11-04
url = http://www.newagebd.com/2005/nov/04/eidspecial05/non-fiction04.html
accessdate = 2007-04-11]

Nishat Manjil was built as the princely stable and clubhouse for the Nawabs, and served as a venue of receptions for the statesmen of the day, including Lord Dufferin (Viceroy of India), Lord Carmichael (Governor of Bengal), Sir Steuart Bayley (Lt. Governor of Bengal), Sir Charles Elliott (Lt. Governor of Bengal), and John Woodburn (Lt. Governor of Bengal).

The Nawab's Paribag House was built by Khwaja Salimullah in the memory of his sister, Pari Banu. Later, with the downturn in the family's fortunes, his son, Nawab Khwaja Habibullah, lived here for many years. The "hammam" (bath) and the "hawakhana" (green house) were regarded as marvels of design in early 20th century.cite web
title = Paribagh
publisher = Banglapedia
url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/P_0093.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ]

Sujatpur Palace, the oldest Nawab mansion in the area, later became the residence for the Governor of East Bengal during the Pakistani Regime, and was subsequently turned into the Bangla Academy, the Supreme Bengali Language Authority in Bangladesh. Some of the palace grounds was handed over to the TSC (Teacher Student Center [cite web
url=http://www.bangladeshlive.net/1100749.html
accessdate=2007-04-14
title=The Place Where Bangladesh Is Alive
publisher=www.bangladeshlive.net] [cite news
last = Kamol
first = Ershad
title = A modern-day theatre tradition second to none
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2006-04-02
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/celebrating_bd/celeb_bd22.htm
accessdate = 2006-04-11] ) of Dhaka University, and became a major cultural and political meeting place in 1970s.

Culture

Shahbag is populated by mostly teachers and students, and its civic life is dominated by the activities of its academic institutions. Its commercial life too reflects its occupants' intellectual and cultural pursuits. Among its best known markets is the country's largest second-hand, rare, and antiquarian book-market, [cite news
last = Staff Reporter
first =
title = Hawkewrs on Gausia, Nilkhet footpath
publisher = New Age
date = 2006-01-21
url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/21/met.html
accessdate = 2006-04-11] comprising of "Nilkhet-Babupura" Hawkers Market, a street market, and "Aziz" Supermarket, an indoor bazaar. [cite news
last = Staff Reporter
first =
title = A Favourite Haunt of Book Lovers
publisher = Daily Independent
date = 2006-09-30
url = http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/sep/30/30092005wk.htm#A7
accessdate = 2006-04-11] Shahbag is also home to the largest flower market (a street side open air bazaar) in the country, which is located at Shahbag Intersection, [cite news
last = Parveen
first = Shahnaz
title = Shop talk: Beli, Rajanigandha and more
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2006-04-12
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/2005/04/02/page01.htm
accessdate = 2006-04-11] [cite news
last = Mehriban
first = Sharmin
title = Bad days for flower traders at Shahbagh
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2005-11-30
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/11/30/d511302503100.htm
accessdate = 2006-04-11] as well as the largest pet market in the country, the "Katabon" Market. [cite news
last = Khan
first = Marchel
title = Endangered species being sold
publisher = Weekly Holiday
date = 2002-06-28
url = http://www.weeklyholiday.net/280602/heri.html
accessdate = 2006-04-11] In addition, Elephant Road features a large shoe market and, "Nilkhet-Babupura", a large market for bedding accessories.

Shahbag's numerous ponds, palaces and gardens have inspired the work of artists, including poet Buddhadeva Bose, singer Protiva Bose, writer-chronicler Hakim Habibur Rahman, and two Urdu poets of 19th century Dhaka, Obaidullah Suhrawardy and Abdul Gafoor Nassakh. [cite book
last =Taifoor
first =Syed Muhammed
title =Glimpses of Old Dhaka
publisher =SM Perwez
date =1952
location =Dacca
pages = 257-58
id = ASIN B0007K0SFK] Shahbag was at the centre of the cultural and political activities associated with the Language movement of 1952, which resulted in the founding here of the Bangla Academy, a national academy for promoting the Bengali language. The first formal art school in Dhaka—the Dhaka Art College (now Institute of Fine Arts)—was founded in Shahbag by Zainul Abedin in 1948. Later, Mazharul Islam, the pioneer of modern architecture in Bangladesh, designed the Art College as one of his early projects. In the 1970s, Jiraz Art Gallery opened as the first commercial art wing in the Shahbag area. Other cultural landmarks in the area includethe Bangladesh National Museum, [cite web
title = Homepage
publisher = Bangladesh National Museum
url = http://www.bangladeshmuseum.org/
accessdate = 2006-09-28 ] the National Public Library, and the Dhaka University Mosque and Cemetery, containing the graves of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet, of painters Zainul Abedin and Quamrul Hassan, and of the teachers killed by Pakistani forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

The Shahbag area has a rich religious history. In the late 1920s, Sri Anandamoyi Ma, the noted Hindu ascetic, also known as the "Mother of Shahbag", built her ashram near Ramna Kali Mandir, or the Temple of Kali, at Ramna. Her presence in Dhaka owed directly to Shahbag, for her husband, Ramani Mohan Chakrabarti, had accepted the position of caretaker of Shahbag gardens a few years earlier. In 1971 the Temple of Kali was destroyed by the Pakistani Army in the Liberation War of Bangladesh. [cite news
first = SD
last = Khan
title = The Race Course Maidan that once was
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2005/11/01/retrospect.htm
publisher = The Daily Star, Bangladesh
date = 2005-11-01
accessdate = 2007-04-13 ] A well-known local Muslim saint of the early 20th century was Syed Abdur Rahim, supervisor of the dairy farm established by Khwaja Salimullah, the Nawab of Dhaka, at Paribag. Known as the "Shah Shahib of Paribag", Abdur Rahim had his "khanqah" (Persian: خانگاه, spiritual retreat) here; his tomb lies at the same location today. [cite book
last=Duttagupta
first=Amulyakumar
title=Shree Shree Ma Anandamayi Prosonge (vol 1)
year=1938
language=Bengali
pages=2–3
location=Dhaka] Katabon Mosque, an important centre for Muslim missionaries in Bangladesh, is located in Shahbag as well. In addition, the only Sikh Gurdwara in Dhaka stands next to the Institute of Modern Languages in Shahbag. [cite news
title = SGPC to repair Bangladesh gurdwaras
publisher = The Tribune India
date = 2005-09-25
url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050925/punjab1.htm
accessdate = 2006-04-11] Since 1875, the Shahbag gardens have hosted a famous fair celebrating the Gregorian New Year and containing exhibits of agricultural and industrial items, as well as those of animals and birds. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the gardens were the private property of the Nawab of Dhaka, and, although a portion of the gardens had been donated to Dhaka University in 1918, ordinary citizens could enter the main gardens only during the fair. In 1921, at the request of the Nawab's daughter, Paribanu, the organisers of the fair set aside one day during which only women were admitted to the fair, a tradition that has continued down to the present. Today, the fair features dance recitals by girls, "Jatra" (a native form of folk theater), "putul naach" (puppet shows), magic shows and Bioscope shows.cite web
title = Shahbag
publisher = Banglapedia
url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/S_0261.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-05 ] Historically, Shahbag was also the main venue in Dhaka for other recreational sports like "Boli Khela" (wrestling) and horse racing.

The "Basanta Utsab" (Festival of Spring) takes place every February 14 — the first day of spring, according to the reformed Bangladeshi Calendar. Originating in Shahbag in the late 1960s, "Basanta Utsab" has now become a major festival in Dhaka. [cite news
last = Cultural Correspondent
title = Basanta Utsab observed in city
publisher = Weekly Holiday
date = 2003-03-07
url = http://www.weeklyholiday.net/070303/cul.html
accessdate = 2006-04-11] [cite news
last = Staff Correspondent
title = People join in spring festival
publisher = New Age
date = 2003-02-04
url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/feb/14/met.html
accessdate = 2006-04-11] [cite news
last = Parveen
first = Shahnaz
title = Celebrating the festival of colours
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2004-02-10
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/2004/02/01/centre.htm
accessdate = 2006-04-11] Face painting, wearing yellow clothes (signifying Spring), music, and local fairs are typical of the many activities associated with the festival, which often also includes themes associated with Valentine's Day. Shahbag is also the focal point of the Pohela Baishakh (the Bengali New Year) festival in Dhaka, celebrated every April 14 following the revised Bengali Calendar, and now the biggest carnival in Dhaka. [cite news
last = Deepita
first = Novera
title = Preparation on in full swing
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2006-04-10
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/04/10/d604102501118.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-17] [cite news
last = Ahsan
first = Syed Badrul
title = Speaking of the soul of Bengal...
publisher = New Age
date = 2006-04-14
url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/apr/14/pb06/celebration.html
accessdate = 2006-11-17] From 1965 to 1971 the citizens of Dhaka observed the festival as a day of protest against the Pakistani regime. [cite news
last = Shanto
first = Aminul Haque
title = Celebration of Pahela Baishakh
publisher = Bangladesh Independent
date = 2006-04-14
url = http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/apr/14/14042006mg.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-17] Other local traditions associated with the festival include the "Boishakhi Rally" and the "Boishakhi Mela" begun by the Institute of Fine Arts and the Bangla Academy respectively. In addition, Chayanaut Music School began the tradition of singing at dawn under the Ramna Batamul (Ramna Banyan tree).

Books and movies figure prominently in the cultural life of Shahbag. The biggest book fair in Bangladesh is held every February on the premises of the Bangla Academy in Shahbag. The only internationally recognised film festival [cite web |url=http://www.bangladeshonline.com/shortfest/forum.htm |title=7th International Short and Independent Film Festival, Dhaka 2001 | publisher = Bangladesh Online |date = December 2001 | accessdate=2007-04-13] in Bangladesh—the "Short and Independent Film Festival, Bangladesh"—takes place every year at the National Public Library premises. The organisers of the film festival, the Bangladesh Short Film Forum, have their offices in Aziz Market.

In 2001, a suicide bomber killed 10 people and injured 50 others during the Pohela Baishakh festivals. The Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, an Islamic militant group, was alleged to be behind the incident. [cite news
last = Court Correspondent
title = Mufti Hannan placed on fresh remand
publisher = Daily Star
date = 2006-10-07
url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/07/d61007012214.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-17]

References

*cite book| last =Ahmed| first =Sharif Uddin| title =Dacca: A Study in Urban History and Development| publisher =Riverdale Co Pub| date =1986| location =London|id = ISBN 0913215147
*cite book|last=Ahmed|first=Sharif Uddin|title=Dhaka: Itihasa o Nagarjiban: 1840–1921|year=2001
*Old files and documents preserved at Ahsan Manzil Museum and Nawab State's Office
*Ahsanullah, Nawab, Personal Diary (Urdu) preserved at Ahsan Manzil.
*cite book|last=Dani|first=Ahmad Hasan|year=1962|location =Dhaka|publisher =Crescent Book Centre|title=Dacca: A Record of its Changing Fortunes (revised edn.)
*cite book| last =Geddes| first =Patrick|title =Report on Town Planning-Dacca| publisher =Bengal Secretariat Book Depot| date =1911| location =Calcutta|id =
*cite book|last=Haider|first=Azimusshan|year=1966|title=A City and its Civic Body|publisher=Dacca Municipality|location=Dhaka
*cite book|last=Haider|first=Azimusshan|year=1967|title=Dacca: History and Romance in Place Names|publisher=Dacca Municipality|location=Dhaka|id=
*cite book| last =Hardinge of Penshurst| first =Lord Charles| title =My Indian Years: 1910–1916| publisher =John Murray| date =1948| location =London| id = ASIN B0007IW7V0
*cite book| last =Hasan|first =Sayid Aulad|title =Notes on the Antiquities of Dacca| publisher =University Press Limited| date =1912| location =Dacca|id = ASIN B0000CQXW3
*cite book|last=Islam|first=Nazrul|title=Dhaka: From city to megacity (Perspectives on people, places, planning, and development issues): Bangladesh urban studies series No. 1|publisher=Urban Studies Programme, Department of Geography, University of Dhaka|year=1996|id = ISBN 984 510 004 X
*cite book| last =Mamoon| first =Muntasir| title =Dhaka: Smrti Bismrtir Nagari| publisher =Ananya Publishers| date =2004| location =Dhaka| id = ISBN 9844121043
*cite book|last=Maniruzzaman|first=KM|title=Dhaka City: A sketch of its development|id=ASIN B000720FH0
*cite book| last =Rabbani| first =Golam| title =Dhaka: from Mughal Outpost to Metropolis| publisher =University Press Limited| date =1997| location =Dhaka| id = ISBN 9840513745
*cite book|last=Serajuddin| first=Asma| title=Mughal Tombs in Dhaka (ed. by Sharifuddin Ahmed)| date=1991
*cite book|last=Taesh|first=Munshi Rahman Ali|title=Tawarikhey Dhaka (trans. by AMM Sharafuddin)|date=1991
*cite book| last =Taifoor| first =Syed Muhammed| title =Glimpses of Old Dhaka| publisher =SM Perwez| date =1952| location =Dacca| id = ASIN B0007K0SFK
*cite book|last=Taylor|first=James|title=A Sketch of the Topography and Statistics of Dacca|location=Calcutta|year=1840|publisher=G. H. Huttman, Military Orphan Press

Notes

External links

* [http://www.anandamayi.org/ Anandamoyi Ma Website]
* [http://www.banglapedia.net/HT/S_0261.HTM Shahbag at Banglapedia]
* [http://www3.flickr.com/photos/tags/shahbag/ Flickr pictures of Shahbag]