Sonakanda Fort Narayanganj

Sonakanda Fort is an ancient water fort located on the east side of Shitalakshya river in Bandar upazila of Narayanganj district. Sonakanda Fort is believed to be one of the three water forts built near Dhaka in 1960 by the then Bengal Subedar Mir Jumla to protect important cities of Bengal from pirate attacks. Isha Khan, one of the heroes of Bar Bhuiyan in Bengal, used this fort at that time.

There are various legends surrounding this fort built during the Mughal period. It is said that Swarnamoyi, the daughter of King Kedar Roy, was abducted by a group of dacoits during her bathing in Langalbande, and Isha Khan wanted to rescue her and send her back to Kedar Roy. But Swarnamayi was not taken back after complaining that she had lost her caste due to spending the night in a Muslim tent. Since then Swarnamayi Isha Khan lived in Tabu. It is believed that the fort was named Sonar Kanda or Sonakanda Durg after him.

Spread over an area of ​​about 2 km, the quadrangular fort has inner and outer parts of 15.70 m and 19.35 m in diameter, surrounded by a high protective wall 6.09 m thick. The fort has a huge cannon platform and north facing entrance arcade. A massive defensive wall and a raised platform to protect against pirate attacks on the western side are two notable parts of the fort. There are numerous small holes in the wall for firing shells. Besides, there is the main altar of the fort in the center of the western wall. Currently, this fort is a protected monument under the Directorate of Archeology and Museums of Bangladesh.

You can go to Narayanganj by bus from Gulisthan in Dhaka. You can go to Sonakanda fort by rickshaw from the launch ghat No. 2 of Narayanganj city by boat to Bandar upazila ghat.

It is possible to return to Dhaka again in the evening after seeing the sights of Narayanganj district from Dhaka. However, if you need to stay overnight, you can choose Hotel Mehran, Hotel Sonali, Hotel Narayanganj, Hotel Sugandha, Hotel Surma and Hotel Rupayan etc. in Narayanganj city.

In Narayanganj town there are several food hotels in Railgate area. Narayanganj town has locally popular restaurants like Monir Restaurant, Niribili Restaurant, Shahi Restaurant, New Gharwa, Diner House and various Biryani Houses.

Among the other places of interest in Narayanganj are Panam Nagar , Sonargaon Museum , Zinda Park, Murapara Zamindar Bari, Mayadip, Taj Mahal of Bengal and Gwaldi Mosque.

Feature Image: M Shahid