Sonargaon Travel Guide: Visiting Museum And Other Attractions In The Old Capital

Sonargaon is one of the top tourist destinations for a short visit that combines Bengali culture, landscape, archaeology, and adventure. This location is well-known in Bengali history because it served as the capital of eastern Bengal for a long time. However, in the 17th century, the cards were reversed, and Dhaka became the capital as a result of the decision of the Muslim rulers at the time.

In times of tribulation, Sonargaon is left with a few dispersed villages, mosques, and unidentified mounds of earth, which can be found on the west side of the highway near the village of Mograpara. Panam Nagar, Sadar Bari, Goaldi Mosque, and the Folk-Art Museum are currently the most popular attractions in the area. In this blog, we will give a comprehensive tour guide to Sonargoan from visiting the Museum to other attractions in the old capital.

Sonargaon Folk Art and Craft Museum

You will undoubtedly come across a society with traditional workmanship and a long-lasting historical center for visitors and vacationers planning to visit Sonargaon. Best cultural tours in Bangladesh often include a visit to this museum, which is open from dawn to sunset (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

This gallery is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays through the end of the week. This is prosperous, with a few outstanding gatherings you won't find elsewhere. The principal historical center structure is located at "Sardar Bari". In 1901 a Hindu Zamindar from Sonargaon planned the "Sardar Bari".

Similarly to other Zamindar residences of the time, this one appears to be an Indian house, but the house's condition is more like a European palace. In addition to the excessive enrichment, the described painting on the structure's mortar is extremely appealing. 

Exhibition Galleries

On March 12, 1975, renowned Bangladeshi painter Zainul Abedin established the Lok Shilpa Jadughar (Folk Art and Craft Museum) in Sonargaon, which was improvised on the historic edifice, Bara Sardar Bari. It is a vast terrain that will require a significant amount of effort to acclimate.

Inside the exhibition hall, you will find a "Zainul Abedin" workmanship show. There are two exhibition galleries within the gallery. These two include some status exhibiting the neighborhood life of Bangladeshi people, such as cultivating, the lady working, and so on. Similarly, you'll see a miniature replica of a few vessels from my country that have since vanished after competing with motorized vehicles.

In addition, Bengal's treasure trove of everyday tools, weapons, boats, furniture, decorations, and other pertinent artifacts contribute to the region's main draw. Even though the process of renovating the original diagram is still ongoing, the museum's opening will be made public sooner rather than later.

Ornamented Nokshi Kantha

The exhibit of Sonargaon's rich textile tradition would be another draw for tourists. In the same vicinity, there's a new museum showcasing Bengali art through handcrafted saris, Nokshi Kanthas—essentially, embellished Kanthas, mattresses, and other creative creations.

The Moslin, a handcrafted sari, is the most interesting sight among them all. This sari's unique quality was that it was excessively thin, making the entire thing fit neatly into a matchbox. Additionally, the ornate houseboat, the wooden doors meant for the wealthy, the various wooden ornaments, and the boat models will remain in your sight, since they all symbolize our country that employed them as the medium of main transportation.

Panamnagar

The most alluring and popular tourist destination in Sonargaon is PanamNagar. It was primarily a city of Hindu merchants, but it has since been abandoned after being destroyed on several occasions. Visitors to Sonargaon can explore beautiful places in Bangladesh like Panam Nagar and appreciate its historical significance.

The architecture of this city was a fusion of Bengali traditional architecture and European design. It was first established in the 19th century, during the British Empire. The Hindu businessmen later seized it entirely and erected fifty-two mansions there. It will just take ten minutes to walk to the Sonargaon Folk-Arts and Crafts Museum from there.

Historical lost city

The majority of the sad events happened when the subcontinent was divided. The Hindu community had called Panam Nagar home, but following the division, Sonargaon was placed under Muslim rule.

Several religious conflicts were occurring at the time, so the merchants fled to India, leaving everything in the care of their guardians. However, they were never able to return, and all holdings were eventually acquired by the government. Today, Bangladesh's Archaeology Department is in charge of this city.

Types of buildings found in Panam City

You'll be shocked to hear that this location is regarded as a unique case study for all other deserted cities worldwide. It's the terrifying streets with the 52 buildings lined up in a row that will give you the chills. There will be two different kinds of structures: one for living and another for entertainment.

During that time, there was no end to the enjoyment available in the entertainment complex. By night, nothing was more entertaining than the singing of the Baijis. This is a must-see tourist destination for every one of you if you're looking for anything to do with your afternoon in Dhaka. Find your best online tour booking in Bangladesh with us to visit such beautiful places in Bangladesh.

Goaldi mosque

Sonargaon served as the prosperous capital of the East Bengali Muslim dynasty from 1296 to 1608. The distance between the city and Dhaka is about 27 kilometers east. The Goaldi Mosque is located close to Sonargaon in the village of Goaldi.

Just a half mile from Goaldi is the affluent Hindu merchant city of Panam Nagar. One of the few remaining buildings from the sultanate era in the old capital is this mosque.

Hizabar Akbar Khan erected the mosque in 1519 during Sultan Hussain Shah's reign. Khan was most likely a top officer under the Sultan. Given that the mosque was constructed not far from Sonargaon, it was a significant location at the time.

A pre-Mughal structure

When the Department of Archaeology designated this small mosque as a heritage site, it was destroyed. It is the oldest pre-Mughal mosque in the region. The mosque was meticulously renovated in 1975 after becoming overgrown with vegetation.

Compared to the previous Sultanate mosque in Bagherhat, the mosque is more elegant and well-designed, with a single dome at the top. Three arched entrances on the east side of the mosque, as well as one on the north and south, are currently blocked by masonry. The dome is supported on pendentives by the four corners with squinch arches.

The exquisite small mosque is 16 square feet in size and features well-carved mihrabs. The two on either side are embellished with exquisite terracotta artwork, while the three have exquisitely carved black stone mihrabs in the center with floral and arabesque relief. The mihrab's multi-cusped arches' spandrels are embellished with rectangular frames.

Once you arrive at the Folk Art Museum, turn right into Goaldi Bazar More after traveling westward via the museum's second gate for 0.5 miles. Alternatively, if you take a rickshaw or auto-rickshaw, you can go straight to the mosque.

Visiting hours of Sonargaon folk-arts Museum

Sonargaon Folk-Arts Museum is typically open from 9 AM to 5 PM from Friday to Tuesday. The museum remains closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please note that visiting hours may vary during public holidays and festivals.

Summer Schedule (April – September) 

Tuesday-Saturday:10.00 am-06.00 pm

Museum Galleries:10.30 am–05.30 pm 

Only on Fridays 12.30 PM - 02.30 PM (Museum Galleries Closed for Prayer but the rest of the places are open)

Wednesday & Thursday: Closed. 

On any government holidays: Closed.

Winter schedule (October - March) 

Tuesday-Saturday:09.00 am–05.00 pm

Museum Galleries:09.30 am–04.30 pm 

Only on Fridays 12.30 PM - 02.30 PM (Museum Galleries Closed for Prayer but the rest of the places are open)

Wednesday & Thursday: Closed. 

On any government holidays: Closed.

Note: Sonargaon Museum will remain open for visitors during Eid Day. It will be closed only on the previous day of the Eid day. 

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Final Words

Sonargaon, a hidden gem in Bangladesh, is an unmissable destination that captivates both history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. Its profound cultural heritage and breathtaking architecture make it a must-visit town, offering visitors a mesmerizing journey through time to relive the glorious days of the past.

Old Sonargaon is a wonderful city to visit, with so much to offer visitors if history and culture are what they enjoy.