Dacca

Dacca, also spelled Dhaka, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. Located in central Bangladesh on the Buriganga River, it serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural center. The city hosts government ministries, the national parliament, foreign missions, and major financial institutions, and it is a key node in the national transportation network with the country’s largest international airport.

Historically, Dacca has been an important urban center for centuries. It rose to prominence in the 17th century as the capital of the Mughal province of Bengal and was renowned for its textile production, especially muslin. Under British rule it remained a major provincial capital, and after the partition of British India in 1947 it became the capital of East Bengal and later East Pakistan. Following Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, Dhaka became the capital of the new nation.

In modern times, Dhaka is one of the world’s most densely populated cities and a major center of industry, commerce, and education. The economy is heavily oriented toward textiles and garment manufacturing, with growing sectors in services, finance, and information technology. The city is home to several universities, including the University of Dhaka, and a range of cultural institutions. It contains notable landmarks such as Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), and the Dhakeshwari Temple, with the National Parliament complex located nearby.

Dacca/Dhaka continues to expand as a regional hub for South Asia, while facing urban challenges common to megacities, including traffic congestion, housing, and flood risk in the delta region.