Narayanganj

Bangladesh · Asia

About Narayanganj

Narayanganj (Bengali: নারায়ণগঞ্জ, romanized: Narayongônj) is a city in central Bangladesh in the Greater Dhaka area. Narayanganj District, about 16 km (10 mi) southeast of the capital city of Dhaka. With a population of almost 1 million, it is the 5th largest city in Bangladesh. It is also a center of business and industry, especially the jute trade and processing plants, and the textile sector of the country. It is nicknamed the Dundee of Bangladesh, due to the presence of its many jute mills. (Dundee was the first industrialised 'Juteopolis' in the world.)

The city got its name from Bicon Lal Pandey, a Hindu religious leader who was also known as Benur Thakur or 'Lakshmi Narayan Thakur'. He leased the area from the British East India Company in 1766 following the Battle of Plassey. He donated the markets and the land on the banks of the river as Devottor or 'Given to God' property, bequeathed for maintenance expenses for the worship of the god Narayan.

A post office was set up in 1866, and Dhaka-Narayanganj telegraph service was started in 1877. The Bank of Bengal introduced the first telephone service in 1882.

The Narayanganj Municipality was incorporated on 8 September...

Narayanganj travel guide

Understand

With approximately 2 million people, Narayanganj is a congested city like many in Bangladesh. It is known as the Dundee of Bangladesh on account of its significant jute mill industry and trade, based on the similar history of Dundee. Narayanganj was named after a Hindu religious leader.

Getting there

Due to its proximity to Dhaka, it should be not to hard to access from there.

1 Narayanganj railway station. (updated Dec 2020)

See

If you want to get away from the bustle, there are many ghats along the Shitalakshya River to watch the world go by.

1 Hajiganj Fort (হাজীগঞ্জ দূর্গ), in Godenail district of Narayanganj. This bit of a forlorn but expansive fort along the Shitalakshya River founded around time of Dhaka's establishment as Mughal capital, in the early 17th century, as protection against pirates. It offers some solitude away from the street chaos, but you might run into some characters here, so could be best to come during the day. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Sonakanda Fort, Kadamrasul area of Narayanganj. Another Mughal empire fort, this one kind of in shambles, built around 1574 AD by General Munim Khan after the defeat of Daud Khan Karrani. (updated Aug 2020) 3 Bandar Shahi Mosque, Engineer Zobayer Hashan Commercial Road, Bandar. A historic mosque from 1481 that coincides with settlement of the Bandar area of Narayanganj and nearby Sonargaon. 4 Baba Saleh Tomb & Masjid, 124 Babupara Rd, Bandar (Kadamrasul area of Narayanganj, north of Sonakanda Fort). The resting place of the Sufi Muslim Baba Saleh who helped spread Islam to the area, and accompanying mosque, from 1504.

Nearby 5 Banglar Taj Mahal (বাংলার তাজমহল). 09:00-19:00. This is known as Taj Mahal Bangladesh; it's like a carbon copy of the renowned one in Agra, India. It can be kind of pricey. (updated Aug 2020)

6 Idrakpur Fort, AVJM Girls High School, Moddho Courtgaon Road, Munshiganj (in downtown Munshiganj). A mughal fort established in 1660 CE to defend Dhaka from pirates and other enemies. A few blocks away on Jubilee Road is the thriving Munshiganj bazar. (updated Aug 2020)

Eat

New Bose Cabin, historic dining venue serving since 1922, with tea and chicken cutlet being the signature items. Kind of a mess. 9, Sanatan Pal Lane, Sahid Suhrwardi Sarak. Daily 7AM-10PM. +880 1911-396245

Sleep

1 Sonargaon Royal Resort (সোনারগাঁও রয়েল রিসোর্ট), Sonargaon Rd (across from Sonargaon Museum), ☏ +880 1709371680. Resort with Mughal-type architecture with indoor pool, hot tub, gym, WiFi, free breakfast, restaurant, for while you are checking out the historic city of Sonargaon. (updated Aug 2020)

Go next

If you are traveling on to Chittagong, you'll have a chance to witness the watery milieu of Bangladesh and a substantial shipyard operation while going over the Meghna Bridge.

Sonargaon - Historic capital of Bangladesh, with many attractive historical sights.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.