Hajiganj Fort of Narayanganj District
Hajiganj Fort (হাজীগঞ্জ দুর্গ) is a historical fort located at Narayanganj (নারায়ণগঞ্জ) District. This fort is known as the fort of Isha Khan, one of the Baro-Bhuiyans (বারো ভূঁইয়া) of Bengal. Hajiganj Fort, also called Khizrpur Fort, is situated in the Hajiganj locality of Narayanganj on the western bank of the Shitalakshya (শীতলক্ষ্যা). It was built just at the point where the old Buriganga (বুরিগঙ্গা) discharged into the Shitalakshya.
Around 1650, during the Mughal period, when Mir Jumla was the Subahdar of Bengal. Three forts were built on the banks of the river to protect the prosperous city of Dhaka and its surrounding areas from the attacks of the pirates and Portuguese enemies coming along the river. This Hajiganj fort is one of those which were called Tribhuj Jal Durgo or Triangle Water Fort. Another is Sonakanda Fort on the eastern bank of Shitalakshya, and the other is Idrakpur Fort in Munshiganj (মুন্সীগঞ্জ).
Architecture of the Fort
The fort, which is quadrangular in shape, is made out of a pentagonal curtain wall manufactured for muskets with rounded corner bastions. The inner side of the curtain wall has a 1.22-meter high rampart walkway from the curtain wall’s base. Each corner bastion has an internal stairway leading up to the rampart level, and its merlons have bigger openings in between for cannon shooting.
The only small gateway of the fort towards the river side suggests that the means of communication was by the river. The pentagonal gateway is placed in a rectangular structure with engraved rectangular arches on the both sides. The top of the gateway is decorated with lotus finial. There having no other structure inside the fort, it seems that the fort was occupied only in the rainy season when the pirates were expected, and that the occupants used tents as their shades. The fort area is now being used as the Fire Brigade headquarters of Narayanganj.
How to go to Hajiganj Fort
From Dhaka’s Gulistan to Narayanganj by Utsav/Bandhan/Himachal/Shital bus. From there, come a little further from the auto stand and go to Nabiganj/Hajiganj Fort.
If you want to go by train, take the train from the Narayanganj suburban platform of Kamalapur to Chashara station. Take a rickshaw from Chashara. It will drop you off when talking about Hajiganj Fire Station/Nabiganj Ghat/Fort. After seeing the Hajiganj fort, and crossing boat station No. 5. Then you can take the autorickshaw to Sonakanda Fort. Or crossing boat station No. 1, from there take an autorickshaw to Sonakanda Fort.
Where to stay while visiting Hajiganj Fort
Being very close to Dhaka, you can visit the Fort in one day. In that case, you don’t have to worry about staying the night. However, for those who are going from far away, there is a good choice of accommodation in Narayanganj Sadar. Hotel Mehran, Hotel Sonali, Hotel Narayanganj, Hotel Sugandha, Hotel Surma, and Hotel Ruppayan are a few examples.
Google Maps location of Hajiganj Fort, click here.
you can also read about, Bhutia Padma Beel : Lotus Flower Heaven.
