Paltan is a
thana
Thana means "police station" in South Asian countries, and can also mean the district controlled by a police station.
* Thanas of Bangladesh, former subdistricts in the administrative geography of Bangladesh; later renamed ''upazila''
* in (Briti ...
(precinct) of
Dhaka
Dhaka ( or ; bn, ঢাকা, Ḍhākā, ), formerly known as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, as well as the world's largest Bengali-speaking city. It is the eighth largest and sixth most densely populated city ...
, the capital of
Bangladesh
Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...
.
It is often said to be the center of Dhaka, dividing "Old Dhaka" and "New Dhaka". Paltan was made a thana in 2005 by then Prime Minister
Begum Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia (; born Khaleda Khanam Putul in 1945) is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from March 1991 to March 1996, and again from June 2001 to October 2006. She was the first female prime minister of Ba ...
. Paltan Thana was formed on 27 June 2005 comprising part of Motijheel thana.
History
![Puraria Paltan Maidan, small mosque - Dhaka 1875](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Puraria_Paltan_Maidan%2C_small_mosque_-_Dhaka_1875.jpg)
The name Paltan came from a cantonment of the
British East India Company
The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (the Indian subcontinent and Southea ...
.
The name was derived from the English word
platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may range ...
, but in reality a size of
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...
or
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...
. Starting from Gulistan area, Purana Paltan, Purana Paltan Lane, Naya Paltan, Topkhana and up to Fulbaria rail-line, it was the cantonment of the East India Company and there were Artillery forces in Topkhana. 'Top' means cannon and Topkhana means armoury. It is a Turkish word. In the year 1840 the cantonment was transferred to Ramna, Begunbari, then to
Lalbagh Fort
Lalbagh Fort ( bn, লালবাগ কেল্লা) is a fort in the old city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Its name is derived from its neighborhood Lalbagh, which means Red Garden. The term Lalbagh refers to reddish and pinkish architecture from ...
. After the First war of Indian Independence (sepoy mutiny according to the British Raj) in 1857 the Cantonment was shifted to
Mill Barrack. After the transfer of the cantonment the area was given to the municipality to be taken care of. From the whole area they took a part and made a garden which was known as ”Company Bagicha”. There was a big field in the rest part, which was used by the student of
Dhaka College
Dhaka College ( bn, ঢাকা কলেজ also known as DC) is the oldest secular educational institution of Bangladesh located in Dhaka. It offers higher secondary education ( HSC). It has Honours and Masters programs as well which are aff ...
as their playground. Beside this it was used as the Parade Ground of Lt. Governor. But end of the 19th century it was used as the cricket field and sometimes the public meetings took place over here.
Up to 1930, very few people lived in Paltan.
Buddhadeva Bose's novella 'Moner Moto Meye' is evocative of this period; the character Bikash says “When I was 17 years old I came to a house in Paltan. At that time there were only three houses in that area”.
Paltan has boasted numerous noted personalities and families since its beginning. The Gazis, Abedins, Chowdhurys and Roufs were among the families who settled during the early 19th century. These families played a major role in development of the city as a whole.
Geography
Paltan is located at . Its total area is 1.42 km
2.
Administration
Paltan has 02 Wards(Wards-36, 56), 13 Mahallas and 01 Police Station. etc.
Features
![Paltan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Paltan.jpg)
VIP Road- In Paltan area there is an inner-circular VIP road (now named as Anjuman-e- Mufidul Islam road, Shahid-Manik road), which is 120 feet wide divided by a divider. The road is named so because it's the pathway for all VIP's starting from the Prime minister and President of the country to most business tycoons.
This road is Adjacent to Motijheel, the countries business capital area which includes principal branches of nearly all the banks and other financial organizations along with the corporate offices of most of the companies. The stock Exchange of Dhaka is also located at the same area.
Police Station-The model police station “Paltan Thana” is located in Paltan. People can obtain help from police at any time. There is a big police quarter inside the police station. Around 200 police force stays here, including female police.
Shopping Complexes- Paltan, being one of the oldest areas in the city, boasts numerous shopping centers and markets. Baitul Mukarram, Polwel super Market, Paltan Super Market, City heart, Gazi Bhaban and many other centers are situated in the area.
Hotel and Restaurants- Many hotels are there in Paltan most of which strictly maintain international standards and outlook while serving a huge group Foreign investors, sports and other club members and visitors as well. Amongst them Hotel Victory, Orchard, Razmoni Isha Khan, Grand Azad are worth mentioning.
Restaurants like Midnight Sun-3, Sizzler, Lan Hua, Mouri and numerous others are satisfying the desire of the epicures of the city since long.
Automobile Market- The area boasts of the largest automobile market of Bangladesh as well numerous motor vehicle workshops which are operating since long with their identical goodwill.
Cinema Halls and Community Centers- The renowned cinema halls Razmoni and Jonaki are located in this area. Ananda Bhaban and Paltan Community Center in this area are well known community centers in the city.
Masjids and other places of worship- Dhaka is known as the city of Masjids. Numerous masjids are located in this area. ‘Baitul Mukarram’, the national masjid, is located in this Zone. Naya Paltan Jame masjid, Purana Paltan masjid, Purana Paltan Lane Bot-tola masjid are amongst others to be mentioned. Most of these masjids were built during the earlier decades of the last century.
The Archbishop house known as the Kakrail Church which is one of the oldest and biggest church in the city is located near Paltan.
Siddheshwari Kali Mandir, one of the major sacred places for the Hindus is also situated near this area apart from many others.
Notable residents
Starting from the British period till today numerous noted individuals have lived in the greater Paltan. Amongst them Great Political and social reformer; Philanthropist Alhajj Abdul Halim Chowdhury, Noted Industrialist Mr. Nurunnabi Gazi, Printing and Packaging pioneer Mr. Mohammed Hussain, Aga Khani industrialist Mr. Mohammad Bhai, Veteran Politician Gazi Golam Mostafa, Central Commerce Minister of Pakistan Mr. Wahiduzzaman, Lawyer Adv. Ashraf Ali Chowdhury, Adv Golam Morshed, Pakistan's Hilal-i-Quaid, first editor of
Dawn (newspaper)
''Dawn'' is a Pakistani English-language newspaper that was launched in British India in 1941. It is the largest English newspaper in Pakistan, and also serves as the country's newspaper of record. ''Dawn'' is the flagship publication of the ...
and Central Industry Minister of Pakistan back in 1965
Altaf Husain
Altaf Husain ( bn, আলতাফ হোসেইন, ur, ; 26 January 1900 – 25 May 1968) was an educationist, journalist, and Pakistan Movement activist. He is noted as one of the pioneers of print journalism in Pakistan and was the fou ...
's brother Censor Board Chairman
Anwar Husain
Anwar may refer to:
* Anwar (name), a given name and surname (including a list of people and characters with the name)
*Anwar (singer) (born 1949), an Indian playback singer
* ''Anwar'' (2007 film), a 2007 Hindi film
* ''Anwar'' (2010 film), a 201 ...
and his wife Media personality and daughter of renowned Bollywood Actor
Pahari Sanyal
Pahari Sanyal (22 February 1906 – 10 February 1974) was an Indian actor and singer who is known for his work in Bengali cinema.
Sanyal acted in many Bengali films, such as ''Harano Sur'', ''Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant'', and ''Shilpi''. B ...
–
Namita Anwar, One of the most famous painter of the subcontinent Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Renowned left politician/columnist/veteran journalist of Bangladesh Nirmal Sen, journalist Ataur Rahman, veteran singers Md. Khurshid Alam, Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Abeda Sultana, Shimul Billah, Music director Anwar Parvez, Actor Raisul Islam Asad, Late Zafar Iqbal, pioneer businessman Faiz Ahmed of Faiz Cold Storage Limited, famous cultural organizer and freedom fighter Nasiruddin Yousuf Bacchu, Photo and Cinematographer Mr. Shafiqul Islam Swapan, Cricket commentator Shamim Ashraf Chowdhury, famous Bharat Natyam specialist artist Shukla Sarker and many more are to be mentioned. Most of the political and social figures of the last century also were directly related to this area during their lifetime.
The area has, starting from small daily need markets to international stadiums. This zone has witnessed and influenced most of the political as well social happening of this country as a whole since long, be it British period, Pakistan period or post war period as well now. Though it gradually is affected due to population and habitation problems alike other areas of the city it still stands apart in the city.
Naya Paltan
There is a history of the naming of Naya Paltan. Before the 1950s this area presently named as Naya Paltan was called Ramkrishnapur. There were hardly 25 families residing in the two lanes of the area. One lane is through to Purana Paltan. The other lane was blind having less than 10 families. In 1952 (year of
Language Movement of 1952) the residents (Including Dr. Abdul Halim, Md. Rajab Ali, Md. Zohad Hossain, and others) of the area (Then Ramkrishnapur) sat together in several occasions to change the name of the area. The reason was, after partition of 1947 all the original owners of the area sold their houses and migrated to India and new owners populated and developed the area. The first proposal was to change the name from Ramkrishnapur to Allahrasulpur. In subsequent meetings this proposal did not get sufficient support. The second proposal was Naya Paltan. Immediately, this proposal was seconded and supported by all.
The most respected person of the blind lane was Professor Dr. Abdul Halim. Originally the lane was six feet wide. One fine morning in the year of 1953/54 Dr. Halim sat together with the local land lords and took a resolution to widen the lane from 6 feet to 18 feet. In the next day he grounded all his five giant trees along his property line and released 6 feet of his side. Then all other land lords followed him. That is how the lane of Naya Paltan came into existence. At that time 18 feet wide lane was simply a dream.
Notable of the old residents after the partition of India at that period were:
Alhajj Abdul Halim Chowdhury (Councillor of the then Municipality)
Mr. Hasan Ali Sheth
Mr. K.B.M.A Rashid
Engineer Golam Mohammad
Engineer Zahurul Haque
Engineer Abdul Halim
Engineer Moslehuddin
Engineer Mortuza Ali of Engineers Court
Dr. Joynal Abedin
M.A. Shikdar
Mr. M.A. Samad
Nurun Nabi Gazi
Moulvi Idris Chowdhury
Mr shamsud zoha foiyaz
Mr. abul kashem
Mr. Ansar Ali
Mr. Helal Uddin
Mr. Fazlul Haque
Mr. Khandakar Mohiuddin
Mr. Syed Abdul Majid
Mr. Shamsher Ali Khan
Mr. Muzaffar Hussain
Mr. Abdul Wase Chowdhury
Mr. Haris Ur Rahman Chowdhury
Mr. Gazi Harun Ur Rashid
Mr. Munshi Shakhawat and few more.
Purana Paltan
Under
British rule
The British Raj (; from Hindi ''rāj'': kingdom, realm, state, or empire) was the rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent;
*
* it is also called Crown rule in India,
*
*
*
*
or Direct rule in India,
* Quote: "Mill, who was hims ...
, the Government maintained a regiment of soldiers here and hence it got the name Purana Paltan. In this spot the Army had a firing range. During 1956 there were fewer buildings in Purana Paltan and it was surrounded by villages on the east and north, and a vast empty space to the south. Now there's hardly any open place. This is an old Dhaka Landmark. At present it is famous for publishing houses. Recently it got popularity for large number of travel agency being shifted to Purana Paltan.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Paltan Area MapNational Mosque of Bangladesh
Populated places in Dhaka Division
Thanas of Dhaka