Curzon Hall
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| Curzon Hall
Curzon Hall is part of the school of science of the University of Dhaka.With its significance in education during the post independence era of Bangladesh as well as afterwards, it has become an emblem of educational tradition of the country.
Curzon Hall was built by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India in 1904. During the Language Movement, Curzon Hall was the location of various significant events. In 1948, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the general of the Pakistan military, declared Urdu and Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan, outlawing the teaching of Bengali. Students of Dhaka University opposed it instantly and in Curzon Hall, they declared their opposition to Jinnah's planned about state language policy.
This magnificent double-storied building in red bricks with a blend of continental and Mughal architecture with cusped arches and kiosk-like turrets, was built in 1904 as a Town Hall for the newly created province of East Bengal and Assam. A year later, Bengal was partitioned and Dhaka became the capital of the newly created province. The initiative and action of Lord Curzon, the then-Viceroy of India to divide Bengal into two states, led to fostering Muslim hopes of a permanent Muslim state that ultimately led to the formation of Bangladesh many years later. Lord Curzon laid the foundation of the building named after him on 14 February 1904. Since the new province had a majority Muslim population, the partition was welcomed by Muslims, but it was fiercely resented by Indian nationalist leaders. He was eventually forced out of office in 1905 but not before the building had started to take its shape. Curzon Hall was completed in 1908 but the partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911-12. Laid out in a spacious and carefully maintained garden in the heart of Ramna, this brick building has a large central hall, lateral wings on the east and west with several rooms, and a continuous verandah on all sides.
Some one impressed by its splendor once said:
“Where once did owl did hoot
The jackal yell,
In thickets dwarf and tall
There stands to-day, in state
A sentinel
The splendid Curzon Hall..”
The Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, had a vision - wanted to create a spectacular town hall for the city. In the year 1904 the foundation for this breathtaking building was laid, but due to the partitioning of Bengal, the Curzon Hall became Dhaka College in 1911. It took up its position as part of the science division of the Dhaka University in 1921. The hall was also the scene of the student uprising against the language policy that Mohammed Ali Jinnah tried to impose.
When examining the structure of the Curzon Hall, it is easy to see why most believe it is one of the prime examples of architecture in the city. It is a unique combination of Mughal and European designing styles and the traditional artistry of the time was made to blend exquisitely with the modern features. Visitors to Curzon Hall will therefore be able to view magnificent domes, stunning horse-show arches and cusped arches. The red coloring of the building is extremely unique considering that red sandstone was not used. It also features beautiful pavilions and breathtaking eaves.
Surrounding the Curzon Hall is a number of buildings that should also be expolored, such as the Old High Court, The Mausoleum of Three Leaders, the Shaheedullah Hall and the Dhaka Gate. All these structures are reminders to the development of the city and are as important to the locals of Dhaka today, as they were when they were constructed. As an architectural wonder and home to science, the Curzon Hall is an unforgettable attraction.
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