Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
Dhaka, also spelled Dacca, is the capital of Bangladesh. It is north of the Buriganga River and west of the Dhaleswari River. Dhaka is one of the largest metro areas in South Asia.
See the fact file below for more information on the Dhaka or alternatively, you can download our 23-page Dhaka worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY OF DHAKA
- Dhaka’s name refers to the dhak tree, which is common in the area. Alternatively, it could also refer to the Hindu Goddess Dhakeshwari.
- The city’s history can be traced back to the 1st century AD, but it only rose to prominence in the 17th century, when it served as the capital of Bengal under the Muslim Mughal dynasty of Bengal Province from 1608-1639 and again from 1660-1704. Under Mughal rule, the city was also known as Jahangir Nagar, and it became both the provincial capital and the center of world Muslim trade.
- During the rule of the Mughal dynasty, the Old City of Dhaka grew on the banks of the Buriganga River. The main expansion took place under General Shaista Khan.
- Islam Khan Chishti was the first administrator of the city.
- When the provincial capital moved to Murshidabad in 1704, Dhaka entered a period of decline.
- After Nawab of Bengal was defeated at the Battle of Buxar in 1764, the East India Company gained the right to collect taxes from the principality of Bengal.
- In 1765, Dhaka came under British control, becoming a municipality in 1864.
- In 1874, the modern civic water system was introduced.
- The Dhaka State Railway was opened in 1885 with a 144-kilometer meter gauge.
- Dhaka was designated the capital of Eastern Bengal and the Assam province from 1905-1912.
- On April 17, 1898, the first film was screened in Dhaka at the riverfront Crown Theatre.
- Electricity was supplied to the city in 1901.
- It was named the Capital of East Bengal province in 1947 when British rule ended in the region, making Dhaka part of Pakistan. The city went through communal violence that left thousands dead, leading a large portion of the Hindu population to leave for India, while thousands of Muslim immigrants moved to Dhaka. This increased Dhaka’s population dramatically, creating shortages and infrastructure problems. As politics increased in the area, violence also increased.
- On April 28, 1954, the East Pakistan Stock Exchange Association was formed. It later became the Dhaka Stock Exchange.
- The Bhola cyclone devastated much of the region in 1970, killing nearly 500,000 people. More than half of the city was flooded, and millions were marooned.
- Dhaka emerged as the capital of Bangladesh after the war of independence in 1971, which left the city heavily damaged.
- The city is divided into ten parliamentary constituencies. The two main political parties are Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
BASIC FACTS ABOUT DHAKA
- The national language of Dhaka is Bengali.
- Urban growth rapidly expanded in the 1950s.
- Dhaka has seven universities, as the University of Dhaka was established in 1921, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 1962, and Jahangirnagar University in 1970.
- Dhaka is the commercial, financial, and entertainment capital of Bangladesh, accounting for 35% of Bangladesh’s economy.
- Islam is the dominant religion of the city. 91.2% of the population is Muslim, with the majority belonging to the Sunni sect.
- Dhaka is the commercial heart of Bangladesh, with a mainly middle-class population.
- There are 400,000 rickshaw drivers in Dhaka, which is one of the main forms of transportation.
- The population is estimated at 11.9 million people and is growing at an average rate of 4.2% each year.
- Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, is celebrated on April 14th every year.
PLACES OF INTEREST
- The Mirpur Botanical Garden in Dhaka has various plant species adn is a favorite tourist spot.
- Lalbagh Fort was built in 1678 by the Viceroy of Bengal. It has a mosque with three domes and contains the Tomb of Pari Bibi (a reputed daughter of Nawab Shaista Khan), an Audience Hall, and the Hammam of the Governor.
- Ahsan Manzil Palace Museum was once the home of Nawab of Dhaka. It houses 23 galleries.
- Jatiyo Smriti Soudho is also known as National Martyrs’ Memorial. It symbolizes the valor and sacrifice of the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
- Tara Mosque is a 200-year-old mosque with five domes.
- Satmasjid is a mosque in the Mohammadpur area, and it has seven domes.
- Dhaka has a national museum that houses sculptures and paintings of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim periods.
- Bara Katra was the official residence of Mughal Prince Shah Shuja built between 1644-1646 AD.
Dhaka Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Dhaka across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Dhaka worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Dhaka, also spelled Dacca, which is the capital of Bangladesh. It is north of the Buriganga River and west of the Dhaleswari River. Dhaka is one of the largest metro areas in South Asia.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Dhaka Facts
- Tour Guide
- Decorate a Rickshaw
- Pollution in the world
- Postcard
- True or False
- Let’s Cook
- Sustainable energy
- Pop Quiz
- Fabric Design
- Fill in the Blanks
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Dhaka Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 23, 2021
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.