Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com
We knew the Ahsan Manzil as the Nawabs Palace, down in the old city, and used to take visitors to Dhaka into that crowded part of the city to have a look at it. It was very atmospheric in its general state of dereliction and the main rooms were being used for printing fabrics at the time. In the photo below Frank W in the middle on the steps taking a photo. Hadyet up to the right. AJ, maybe Ri Snow, and DAW on the left. I think this was the first visit and Hadyet was taking us there.
A link to the history of the place which developed over the centuries. The main building was started by Khwaja Alimullah in 1859 and had major rebuilding sessions due to devastation by tornado in 1888 and then an earthquake in 1897
View to the side of the big ceremonial front steps that rise up over the Porte Cochere.
View back from the top of the big front steps that rise up over the porte cochere, looking back to the river. The front area had been full of shacks which had recently all been removed, leaving the square shaps in the dirt below the washing line.
View from the front steps of the Ahsan Manzil palace as a dhow sailed past.
Coming down the front steps of the Ahsan Manzil Palace. JJ. DAW, AJ, Ri Snow and Hills. About 1975
Paddle steamer on the Ganges
Going over to the paddle steamer. David Harries, Nancy Harries, AJ, Frank and Hadayet on a canoe. Once on board the paddle steamer we had to walk past a dead body under a white shroud that was being taken down river for burial. While we were on board another paddle steamer came along the Buriganga, at such high speed that we did not get any good photos before it had belted past.
View from the city side 1980
View from corner in 1980
View from the top of the big front stairs looking to the gate.
The palace has since been renovated and has been turned into a museum.
It is a fairly noticeable pink colour and is also known as the Pink Palac.e
View from corner.
A lot more images can be seen at this link.
Hils and Jeff at the Ahsun Manzil, Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 2015
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Heath-Caldwell All rights reserved.
Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com