Sonargaon
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Sonargaon
Ancient Muhammadan capital of Eastern Bengal, situated in 23° 40' N. and 90° 36' E., in the Narayanganj subdivision of Dacca District, Eastern Bengal and Assam, near the banks of the Meghna, 15 miles east of Dacca city. Sonargaon was the residence of the Muhammadan governors of Eastern Bengal from 1351 to 1608, when the capital of the whole province was transferred to Dacca. The only remaining traces of its former grandeur are some ruins in and near the insignificant village of Panam, about 6 miles east of Narayanganj. Hard by is Mograpara, where there was a mint, and Aminpur, the croribdri or residence of the Nawab's banker, whose descendants are still living. Hamchadi is said to have been the residence of the commander-in-chief; and a neighbouring village, Ranijhi, is associated with the name of Ballal Sen's mother. While Sonargaon was the seat of government, it was a place of considerable commercial importance and was famous for its cloths and muslins ; it was the eastern terminus of the grand trunk road made by Sher Shah.
[Cunningham, Archaeological Survey of India Reports, vol. xv, PP- 135-45-]
