Port of Dhaka

Port of Dhaka ঢাকা সদরঘাট
Location
Country	Bangladesh
Location	Dhaka Metropolitan Area
Details
Opened	17th century
Owned by	Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority
Type of harbor	River port

The Port of Dhaka is a major river port on the Buriganga River in Dhaka, the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. The port is located in the southern part of the city. It is Bangladesh's busiest port in terms of passenger traffic. The port has services to most of the districts of Bangladesh. In 2013, a container terminal opened 20 km from the city to handle ocean-going ships. Along with Barisal, Chandpur and Narayanganj; the Dhaka port handled 53 million tonnes of cargo and 22 million passengers in 2013-14.

The Dhaka river port has a recorded existence since the Mughal Empire. The Mughal viceroy's fortress was built by the port in the 17th century. Dhaka's strategic riverine location in Bengal made it a hub for Eurasian traders, including Armenians, the Portuguese, French, Dutch and British. The city's riverbanks were dotted with mansions, bazaars and warehouses. The bustling old city was known as the Venice of the East. It was used for exports of cotton muslin, silk, jute, rice and other goods. During British rule, the riverfront hosted the offices of the Magistrate and Collector; and became the center of the colonial city. Bengali aristocrats built numerous palaces on the riverfront, including Ahsan Manzil and Ruplal House. The British developed ghats (wharfs), such as Wiseghat, Sadarghat and Northbrook Hall ghat.Paddle steamers were a common sight. The Viceroy of India often traveled by ship from Calcutta to Dhaka's riverside palaces for balls and parties.

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Wikipedia