Kaniz Fatema Tinia
I went to visit the Idrakpur Fort of Munshiganj last November.
It was a wonderful experience of feeling the history as it was architecture of Mughal Empire. I would like to describe my observation and experience in this article to my readers.
The Idrakpur Fort at Munshiganj
You must be eager to know the historical background of the fort. Here it is for you. The Idrakpur Fort was established in 1660A.C. at the regime of General Mir Jumla to protect the along side locality of Dhaka and Narayanganj from Mug dacoits and Portuguese attack. It was announced as a unique creature of Mughal Empire in 1909 A.C. The fort was located beside the river Dholeshwari
Dholeshwari River at Munshiganj
and inside Munshiganj Sadar Upazila. It was easy for me to find it out as I discussed the location before from a local person. You would definitely enjoy the river view and breeze while passing by the road beside the river. When I entered into the fort first thing I noticed was the design and strength of the establishment. A huge area was surrounded by heavy wall with small window-like holes throughout the wall. The soldiers used to stand there and keep their eagle eye for enemy. Inside the circle, you would find there was a big round-shaped building where reserved army used to stay. The main gate to get out from this fort was also in this building. So when the soldiers had to confront the enemies they had to come from upper side of the building to downside through a tunnel and stairs which was very interesting to observe.
You would be heard of a common myth about the fort when you are there. The rumor or the myth was that the Idrakpur Fort was connected to the Lalbagh Fort through a secret tunnel. It would make you think and you would try to find some logic or evidence behind the rumor. Finally you would also discover like me that the rumor can not be true. I observed the fort and took necessary notes, so that I could write a profound article for my readers. I would like to share a personal feeling of mine with you all. Sometimes I just closed my eyes and began to think that I was a soldier standing behind a window. Suddenly the danger siren rang and I had to fight against the enemies to save the people of my locality. It was a strange feeling and you would also like to explore the fort that way. I opened my eyes, touched the bricks and the thought came to my mind was-yes, the history of human civilization was really the history of conflicts. We need to go a long way still.
Other places to get around:
I stayed approximately two hours there. Then I decided to go to see the born place of Atish Dipongkor which is in Bajrajogini which was also enjoyable.
How to get in:
Munshiganj is not so far from Dhaka. If you are willing to travel and explore you can think of visiting Idrakpur Fort. I personally would like to recommend my readers to make a journey.
I am including a short description about how you can go there. There are some bus services like Dighirpaar Transport and Dhaka Transport going to Munshiganj from Gulisthan Bus Stand. Your destination should be of a place named Muktarpur. After getting down from the bus all you need is to catch a rickshaw to Idrakpur Fort. It will take maximum two and half hours to reach Mutarpur and then twenty minutes from there to the fort. After visiting the fort it would be clever of you to visit the village of Atish Dipongkor which is a way of
Ponditer Bhitaa at Bajrajogini, Munshigonj
Ponditer Bhitaa, The Monument for Atish Dipongkor at Bajrajogini, Munshigonj
only one hour from the fort. There is a monument established at Bajrajogini to preserve the memory of this great Buddhist. The monument is named Ponditer Bhitaa. Atish Dipongor was borne in 982 A.C at Bajrajogini,Munshiganj and died in 1053 A.C. At the age of nineteen he converted to a Buddhist and went China to spread the truth of Buddhism.
It is created with the co-operation of Chinese Government.
It will be a great pleasure for you to know about this international figure who was borne in this small village of Munshiganj and share the experience with others.
My journey of visiting Idrakpur Fort and Ponditer Bhitaa was genuinely an interesting and informative one. I came to know a lot about the places and related history. The whole experience had just inspired and encouraged me a lot to explore other places of Bangladesh. I have tried to express my feeling in this article and hope you will like it.
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