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M H Haider

the daily star my dhaka gulshan.jpg

Before the luxury: Origins of Dhaka’s Gulshan

10 August 2026
At first impression, Gulshan is all about modernity — tall office buildings, luxurious apartments, trendy cafes, and the tag of being a neighbourhood for the rich! But keeping aside all that, there is another side of this swanky area which often gets overlooked: its history.
10 August 2026
the daily star my dhaka topkhana road.jpg

Topkhana Road: What’s in a name?

27 July 2026
Travelling back to the British colonial era, Topkhana, Paltan, and the overall area was the cantonment of the East India Company. In fact, these were collectively called Guard Bazar.
27 July 2026
the daily star my dhaka narinda binat bibi mosque.jpg

Old Dhaka’s Narinda wasn't always called Narinda!

8 June 2026
Our city dates back to pre-Mughal times; and Narinda, with this mosque, is a testament to that.
8 June 2026
the daily star dhaka farashganj.JPG

Farashganj: The testimony of French trade in Puran Dhaka

25 May 2026
The word "Farash" means French and "ganj" means market, and hence, the name of the locality stands as a testimony of the French people and their businesses in Dhaka during the olden times.
25 May 2026
my dhaka tikatuli.jpg

Ever wonder how the name Tikatuli came about?

18 May 2026
A curious detail regarding all this involves one tikiya-maker.
18 May 2026
Your complete map to Bangladesh’s most iconic Mughal mosques

#Heritage / Your complete map to Bangladesh’s most iconic Mughal mosques

5 March 2026
Explore Bangladesh's architectural heritage through this curated map of prominent Mughal mosques. Spanning the Sultanate era to the Battle of Palashi, these three-domed landmarks in Dhaka and beyond offer history buffs a profound cultural journey.
5 March 2026
Planning a quiet trip? Netrokona offers nature without the crowd

Planning a quiet trip? Netrokona offers nature without the crowd

1 March 2026
Explore Netrokona, a hidden Mymensingh gem featuring Birishiri Lake and scenic China Clay Hills. Visit Kalmakanda for historic freedom fighter tombs before enjoying iconic balish mishti, ensuring a peaceful, culturally rich Bangladeshi travel experience today.
1 March 2026
Why you should explore Bangladesh in your 20s

Why you should explore Bangladesh in your 20s

15 December 2025
Embrace youthful adventure by exploring Bangladesh in your twenties, where budget-friendly gems like Cox’s Bazar and the Sundarbans await. Discover invaluable life lessons through local encounters, building lasting memories while navigating this beautiful, vibrant nation.
15 December 2025
binat_bibi_mosque_narinda_old_dhaka_ds.png

The oldest surviving mosque of Dhaka

Binat Bibi's Mosque or the Mosque of Bakht Binat at Narinda was established around 1456 CE, during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah.
20 June 2024
the_daily_star_inside_mughal_mosque_dhaka.png

Glimpses of the interior of Mughal-era mosques in Dhaka

Generally speaking, the magnificent facade and the rather generous surroundings of a Mughal mosque are in sharp contrast with its small interior. 
13 June 2024
red meat dishes of Bangladesh

Red Meat Roadmap of Bangladesh

Here are some of the most popular and unique red meat dishes that Bangladesh has to offer
13 June 2024
nawab_salimullah_grave_old_dhaka_ds.jpg

Where is the grave of Dhaka's Nawab Salimullah?

The place is commonly known as the family graveyard of the Nawab family. In that same graveyard, there is also the final resting place of his father, Nawab Ahsanullah. 
2 June 2024
nurani_lachhi.jpg

Chawk Bazar's Nurani Cold Drink

The drinks are of course great, and so is the Nurani legacy, being more than 70 years old! 
23 May 2024
the_daily_star_nawab_ahsanullah_grave_old_dhaka_f.png

Where is the grave of Dhaka's Nawab Ahsanullah?

Nawab Ahsanullah is indeed a historic figure. We remember him as a philanthropist and among his contributions was the installment of the first electric lights in Dhaka.
19 May 2024
saat_masjid.jpg

Saat Masjid Road and a mosque

Saat Gombuj Mosque, or the seven-domed mosque, is located in Mohammadpur.
2 May 2024
7 ways to enjoy Eid at your ancestral home as a grownup

7 ways to enjoy Eid at your ancestral home as a grownup

Eid is a time to break free, to an extent, and to grab the opportunities of sheer fun and amusement your gram er bari offers.
8 April 2024
dhaka_haleem_f.png

The origins of haleem

When was the last time you spent an entire month of Ramadan without eating haleem at least once?  This food has indeed survived the test of time!
31 March 2024
Usual suspects and the debatable: What are your favourite iftar items?

Usual suspects and the debatable: What are your favourite iftar items?

The dining table during iftar is often crowded with delicacies of all sorts. The assortment includes traditional iftar items and not-so-traditional items which may even border on eccentricity that leaves others questioning about your taste (and sanity). Call it "iftar cuisine" if you like, as an iftar spread is a whole different genre of food altogether!
31 March 2024
canoon.jpg

The Dhaka Gate Cannon: Secrets of Bibi Mariam

Around a couple of months ago, the age-old Dhaka Gate near Doyel Chattar was unveiled to the public upon its renovation. If you visit the Gate, now in renewed glory, you are bound to see an imposing artefact in its premises -- a cannon called Bibi Mariam.
21 March 2024
dhaka_chawk_bazar_iftar_f.jpg

How did Chawk Bazar's iftar market become so famous?

This hints towards a monopoly Chawk Bazar enjoyed in the olden times. 
21 March 2024
dhaka_poneer_cha_tea.png

Poneer with tea: An old Dhaka favourite

Poneer-flavoured tea? How about bits or slices of poneer in your tea? The concept may not be all that surprising for many people these days, as just a few years ago various teashops and brands tried to popularise this almost as a novelty.
17 March 2024
ramadan_moon_dhaka_bangladesh_f.png

Old traditions of Ramadan moon sighting

People used to gather at Ahsan Manzil, Boro Katra, Choto Katra, and Hussaini Dalan to spot the crescent moon.
14 March 2024
Why every child deserves a cousin like Feluda!

Why every child deserves a cousin like Feluda!

Discover the Enduring Legacy of Feluda: Satyajit Ray's beloved detective series continues to enchant audiences, with its charismatic protagonist, Felu, and his youthful sidekick Topshey. Drawing parallels to Sherlock Holmes, Feluda's adventures inspire curiosity and admiration, much like real-life figures such as the author's cousin, Russell. Despite societal misgivings, Russell, like Feluda, nurtured a thirst for knowledge and exploration. Through literature and personal anecdotes, the article celebrates the timeless appeal of childhood heroes, advocating for every child to have their own Feluda-like mentor.
18 February 2024
dhaka_dhanmondi_name_origin_f.png

Dhanmondi's unimaginable past

History, however, is hard to erase. The name itself, historians have argued, is reminiscent of olden times. Many believe Dhanmondi may have a paddy connection — "dhan".
15 February 2024
Ruplal House; Ruplal House photos; Old Dhaka; Farashganj; Armenian; Aratoon; Ruplal Das

Old Dhaka's Ruplal House and its Armenian connection

The mansion was once the home of the affluent and influential merchant Ruplal Das and his family, and hence the stories of their wealth and opulence spin around Ruplal House even today.
8 February 2024
dhaka_bahadur_shah_park_f.png

Why was Bahadur Shah Park locally called Anta Ghar er Maidan?

Why, though? How did this odd name come about?
1 February 2024
the_daily_star_nihari_breakfast_f.png

Where did the word ‘nihari’ come from?

The stew is a wholesome meal that combines the best in a bowl – a warm soup, spices, meat and bone marrow make up for an amazing comfort food, especially during winter.
28 January 2024
the_daily_star_dhaka_gate_old_photo_f.png

Dhaka Gate: Old monument, new life

This old image portraying Dhaka Gate has a rustic vibe — with the grass and pathway and the elephants.
25 January 2024

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