Sonakanda Fort
Type: History & Archaeology
Contributed By:
Brief
Sonakanda Fort (সোনাকান্দা দুর্গ) a Mughal river-fort located on the eastern bank of the Shitalakshya (শীতলক্ষ্যা) at port area. A group of river forts, constructed by the Mughals, guarded the water routes to Dhaka and other places of strategic importance and the Sonakanda Fort is one of them. The fort, under the protection of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, has been restored and repaired several times. The defensive walls and the massive artillery platform are still in existence. It is quadrangular in plan,measuring 86.56 m × 57.0 m and surrounded by a 1.06 m thick brick-wall, 3.05 meter in height, with inner and intermediate bastions.
The wall is built solid at the bottom. There is a circular artillery platform with a staircase on the west side, which leads up to the raised artillery platform to be entered by a five-foil arched gateway. The artillery platform, meant for a big calibre cannon aiming at the attackers coming up the river, is a new feature of the Mughal river forts in Bengal.
The platform has two circles of which the inner is 15.70m and the outer is 19.35m in diameter respectively. It is 6.09m in height and surrounded by walls. The corner bastions on both sides of the western wing are wider than those of the eastern wing, which are 4.26m, while the two on the western wing are 6.85m in diameter. The fort has two main parts; one is a fortified rampart wall of enormous dimension, which has numerous wide and narrow loopholes. And the other part, the most important one, is a raised outwork on the western face. Excepting the artillery platform, there is no trace of any permanent structure within the fortification walls. All round, the walls are crowned by machicolated merlons, which are on average one metre high.
The fort is provided with a single entrance gate on the north. The arched gateway is placed within a rectangular frame and both the sides are decorated with several plastered panels. The lofty arch of the entrance gateway is of the four-centred variety. There are four corner bastions. Unlike the bastions of the forts at Hajiganj and Idrakpur the bastions of this fort are octagonal in plan.
The fort is not dated by any inscription. Though the construction of this fort is attributed to Mir Jumla, there is no evidence for this. On stylistic similarities with other Mughal river-forts in and around Dhaka it is datable to the mid-17th century.
How to go
Shonakanda (সোনাকান্দা) Fort is very easy to access from Dhaka as Narayanganj town is adjacent to the Dhaka city. Local people mostly know this as Kella. So if you are finding any difficulties, just ask them for Kella instead of Sonakanda Fort. There is a simple direction that will be useful for you to locate the fort. First of all Come to the Chashara of Narayanganj using BRTC or any similar buses from Gulistan. Its around 40 taka per person. Take a rickshaw and come to the Bondor Ghat, also known as Narayanganj Launch Terminal. Its around 15-20 taka Rickshaw fare. Cross the river using the boats, per person 1-2 taka. Take a rickshaw and ask the driver to drop you near at the Kella.
How To Reach: Narayanganj District
The distance from Dhaka to Narayanganj is 28.1 km, which is around 47 minutes travel from the Dhaka city. By air, the distance between Dhaka and Narayanganj is 13.71 km. This distance is equal to 8.52 miles, and 7.4 nautical miles. These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather or other events may cause conditions to differ from this, and you should plan your route accordingly. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route.
By Road:
1. Bandhan (From Motijheel to Narayanganj, Direct)
From Motijheel to Narayanganj
2. Ekata (From Gulistan to Narayanganj)
From Gulistan to Shib Market, Narayanganj
3. Ullash (From Gulistan to Narayanganj)
From Gulistan to Narayanganj
Where to Stay
1. Hotel Meheran
Shonaton Pal len road
Narayanganj
2. Hotel Shonali
1no. Railgate, Pal road
Narayanganj
3. Hotel Narayanganj
1no. Sirajuddoula road
Naryanganj
4. Hotel Shugondha
Liakat Super Market,12/20 Digu babur bazar
Narayanganj
5. Hotel Shurma
17no. Shahid Sohrawardi road
Narayanganj
6. Hotel Rupayan
6no. S.S. road
Narayanganj
Things to do
Referred to things to do at Hajiganj Fort. click here
Eating Facilities
You will find a number of options to eat in Narayanganj bandar area. So many hotels and restaurants serve local cuisine. Besides those,Referred to where to eat in Narayanganj. click here
