Hajiganj Fort
| Hajiganj Fort | |
|---|---|
হাজিগঞ্জ দুর্গ | |
| Narayanganj, Bangladesh | |
 Panoramic view of Hajiganj Fort in daylight | |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Department of Archaeology, Dhaka Division |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Location | |
  Hajiganj Fort | |
| Coordinates | 23°38′00″N 90°30′46″E / 23.6334°N 90.5128°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1610/1650[1] |
| Built by | Mir Jumla I or Islam Khan I[1] |
Hajiganj Fort (Bengali: হাজীগঞ্জ দুর্গ) also known as Khizirpur Fort (Bengali: খিজিরপুর দুর্গ) is a historical Mughal fort situated at Hajiganj locality of Narayanganj, Bangladesh, on the western bank of Shitalakshya.[2]
History
[edit]The exact date of Hajiganj fort is uncertain but it may have been built soon after Subahdar Islam Khan established the Mughal capital at Dhaka. It was built to prevent Magh and Portuguese raids on Dhaka.[3] It is one of three water fort altogether called "Triangular fort" built by Mughals in the 17th century.[4]
Architecture
[edit]The historic riverine fortification is characterized by its quadrangular layout and pentagonal curtain wall. The fort's design includes rounded corner bastions and a machicolated parapet equipped for musket fire. The curtain wall, pierced with musketry holes, supports a rampart walkway elevated 1.22 meters from the base, providing a defensive platform. Each corner bastion contains an internal staircase leading to the rampart level, where merlons feature wider openings designed for cannon fire. A distinctive feature of the fort is a freestanding, tall square brick column in one corner of the quadrangle, likely serving as a guard tower. This architectural element suggests connections to contemporaneous water forts in the region.
The fort’s sole gateway is positioned on the river-facing side. The pentagonal gateway is set within a rectangular structure adorned with engraved rectangular arches on both sides and crowned by a lotus finial. The absence of permanent structures within the fort’s interior suggests it was primarily occupied during the rainy season, when pirate activity was anticipated, with occupants likely using tents for shelter.[3]
Gallery
[edit]-
Gate of the fort -
Wall of the fort -
Corner towers -
Watch tower in ruins
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b হাজীগঞ্জ জল দুর্গ [Hajiganj water tower]. Ittefaq (in Bengali). 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Hajiganj Fort, a palace of antiquity -". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ a b Khan, Muazzam Hussain (2012). "Hajiganj Fort". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Hajiganj Fort is a place of ancient time | The Asian Age Online, Bangladesh". The Asian Age. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
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