Bara Katra & Choto Katra

Lalbagh Rd

About

The two Mughal Katras in old Dhaka were originally built as caravanserais. Bara Katra was designed and built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan's son Shah Shuja. Emperor Shah Shuja had initially wished to use this place as his Shahi Mahal (royal palace) but for unknown reasons changed his plan. Choto Katra was built in 1663 by Shayesta Kha, Subedar of Gujrat and later Bengal, chief commander of the army in the Golkunda battle after he arrived here. Now it remains in the most hideous and dilapidated state, its massive walls under cakes of mildew and its interior encroached by wretched, deplorable homes resembling slums, and small factories manufacturing soaps and tubes. Both the katras are private properties now, under negligence, in a stinky crowdy areas, lackin proper government attention and inaccessible to tourists. The picture was taken from the street. These katras are in short walkin distance from Chawkbazar square.

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