Munshiganj is my hometown and I’ve heard countless historical tales about this area from my elder family members. Some stories are truly inspiring, others rich in historical significance and a few are deeply heart-touching. In Bangladesh, Munshiganj is widely recognized as Bikrampur also, a town steeped in history dating back to the Mughal Empire.
If you’re traveling from Dhaka to visit this town, the first historical site you’ll encounter is the Sonakanda Fort. Although it’s not technically within the Munshiganj area, it currently falls under the Narayanganj district and serves as the main gateway to Munshiganj.
As soon as you arrive in the town, you will find the primary historical site - Idrakpur Fort. The city’s name is directly related to this famous site since Idrakpur was Munshiganj’s original name. Mir Jumla, the Bengal commander and Mughal Subadar, is thought to have constructed the fort about 1660 A.D. It was built to guard the area including Narayanganj and Dhaka from Magh pirates and Portuguese invasions. Idrakpur Fort was acknowledged in 1909 as a singular Mughal architectural masterpiece.
Next, you can visit the Six Domed Baba Adam Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Bangladesh which was built in 1483. This historic site is now maintained by the Department of Archaeology. An interesting fact about this mosque is that the Bangladesh Postal Department featured it on a postage stamp released in 1991, highlighting its cultural significance.
You then could visit the Museum of Buddhist Bihar. Entry calls for a ticket, but it’s really reasonably priced. The location is large and provides a peaceful setting with many kinds of trees, a little pond, a treehouse, and Buddhist cultural relics among other features.
Next on the list is the Atish Dipankar Memorial Complex, a site that honors the memory of Atish Dipankar, a renowned Bengali scholar, Buddhist monk, and missionary during the Pala Empire. Visitors who are not local to the area will need to purchase an entry ticket.
The final suggested location is Sonarong Jora Moth, a site of historical importance for the Hindu community. Erected in the 18th century, it serves as a tribute to the region’s rich cultural past.
