Along with Sadarghat. Lalbagh Fort (Admission Tk 10;10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 2.30-5.30pm Fri Nov-Mar, 10.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat, 3-6pm Fri Apr-Oct, closed holidays) is one of the big hitters of old Dhaka. Unlike the waterfront,which is full of raw energy, the fort is a slightly melancholy step back in the misty Mughal past of emperors and princess. It’s particularly atmospheric in the early morning light.
Construction of the fort began in 1677 under the auspices of prince Mohammed Azam, third son of Aurangzeb, who handed it to shaista Khan for completion. The death of Khan’s daughter, Pari Bibi (Fair Lady),was considered such a a bad women that the fort was never completed. However, three architectural monuments within the complex –Diwan (Hall of audience), Mausoleum of Pari Bibi and Quillac Mosque –were finished in 1684.
On the eastern side of the fort, to your far left as you enter, is the residense of the governor containing the Hall of Audience. It’s an elegant two-storey structure. Inside there’s a small museum of Mughal paintings and calligraphy, along with swords and firearms. Beyond the all of Audience, on the western side, a massive arched doorway leads to the central square hammam(bath house).
The middle building, the Mausoleum of Pari Bibi, is the only Bangladeshi building in which blach basalt and white marable (from Bangladesh),and encaustic tiles of various colours have been used to decorate an interior. The inside central chamber, where Pari Bibi is buried is entirely veneered in white marable.
You’ll find Lalbagh Fort near the intersection of Dhakeswari and Azimpur Rds.
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