After the 1947 Partition, Dhaka regained its location as the capital. But it absolutely become as soon as but to be a recent city. Accommodation become as soon as now not that precise. There had been no excessive-quality inns to talk about of, even supposing the elites of Pakistan, alongside with a astronomical substitute of nawabs, visited town continually. Central authorities officers moreover wanted a situation to preserve for the length of their visits. To handle this self-discipline, the East Pakistan authorities made up our minds to scheme a three-wide title lodge in Shahbagh – they named it Resort Shahbagh.
Resort Shahbagh would possibly fair like stood for excellent 16-17 years, however the fairly neat construction carries a legacy that spans three eras: a brilliant dance hall underneath British rule, a prominent lodge for the length of the Pakistan length, and nowadays a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s medical training.
Shahbagh become as soon as as soon as house to Ishrat Manzil, a mansion that served as a hub of leisure and indulgence for the nawabs of Dhaka. Significant performers esteem Piyari Bai, Heera Bai and Abedi Bai had been invited from Bangalore to entertain the nawabs with tune and dance.
Particularly, it become as soon as here that a ancient match – the founding of the All-India Muslim League – took situation on 30 December 1906. Over 4,000 representatives from all over India had been invited to this gathering, which situation the stage for the eventual Partition of India.
When the Partition of Bengal become as soon as annulled in 1911, Nawab Salimullah become as soon as heartbroken. Within the meantime, the All India Muslim League handed into the arms of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his mates. Unable to endure this sorrow, Salimullah handed away about a years later. Alternatively, the leadership of the Muslim League in Bengal largely remained with the Nawabs of Dhaka. Even after the partition of India, this continuity persevered.
After the partition of India in 1947, Dhaka regained its location as the capital, albeit of the eastern province of Pakistan, however become as soon as but to be a recent city. There had been no excessive-quality inns to talk about of, even supposing the elites of Pakistan visited town continually. To handle this self-discipline, the East Pakistan authorities made up our minds to scheme a three-wide title lodge in Shahbagh, naming it Resort Shahbagh.
A royal lodge for public
When the East Pakistan authorities made up our minds to scheme a residential lodge, the nawab family vacated Ishrat Manzil. The lodge’s get become as soon as entrusted to British architects Edward Hicks and Ronald MacConnell. Aid then, with fewer folk and unheard of location, architects would possibly get freely.
An editorial in the On daily foundation Jugantor dated 1 April 1952, titled “Executive Royal Resort”, described the audacious mission:
“A gargantuan constructing is underneath construction shut to the Ramna Racecourse. As soon as executed, this would also be Pakistan’s finest lodge, overlaying 1,23,124 sq. ft. The four-chronicle lodge will characteristic 97 rooms, alongside with 13’4″× 12′ single rooms and 15’×13’4″ double rooms, every with an linked visiting room. The bottom floor will house a library, lounge, billiard room, dinner birthday celebration hall and a 100-foot-prolonged dining location. A recent kitchen and beautiful gardens will complement the power. The authorities is spending half of a crore taka on this mission, anticipated to open next year.”
Azim Bakhsh, son of Maula Bakhsh Sardar and founder of Dhaka Centre, recalled that Hafizuddin and his brother Afsaruddin from Koltabazar had been accountable for the enchancment.
Simplest kabab in town
Tutu Saad, a resident of Segunbagicha for the reason that Fifties, remembers frequent visits to the lodge with his family. He severely remembers the excellent kababs served there, describing them as “about a of essentially the easiest in Dhaka”.
Creator and researcher Afsan Chowdhury moreover reminisces fondly about Resort Shahbagh’s food. “My father continuously introduced food from there,” he mentioned. “I distinctly endure in mind the pudding – it become as soon as very excellent. They moreover served cakes for the length of Christmas and other cases, which had been nice.”
Breakfast suggestions included a continental breakfast for 2.5 rupees, and lunch become as soon as on hand for 4.5 rupees. The air-conditioned bar served spirits, wine and liquor. On the Chandrima Resort, barbecue evenings underneath the open sky had been a highlight.
Azim Baksh fondly recalled the kababs and parathas at Chandrima Resort, which he had enjoyed a number of times. He cherished the memory of savouring kababs in moonlight. Additionally, a comfortable drink known as “Frigid”, an orange-flavored beverage in glass bottles, become as soon as on hand at Shahbagh Resort. Even folk from exterior the lodge would possibly procure it and later return the bottle for a compensation.
25 rupee rooms
Based totally on a 1968 newspaper that contains the lodge’s price chart, the rent for a single room become as soon as 25 rupees, whereas a double room price 40 rupees. A further 2 rupees had been charged for telephone get entry to, whereas air-conditioned rooms required a further price of 10 rupees.
The lodge moreover offered convenient services and products esteem a post and telegraph office, a curio store and a medical store.
Azim Baksh moreover remembers an car deliver organized by England’s Hillman Automobile Company on the lodge.
Marriage ceremony destination
The lodge become as soon as a preferred venue for wedding receptions of town’s elite households. Afsan Chowdhury recalled that his elder brother’s wedding reception become as soon as hosted at Shahbagh Resort.
“At that point, it become as soon as soundless the finest lodge in Dhaka,” he explained. His father, who become as soon as the deputy managing director of Pakistan National Bank, continuously attended conferences or occasions on the lodge. In 1968, when his elder brother bought married, the family’s precise monetary standing allowed them to host the reception at Shahbagh Resort.
Azim Baksh did not in my opinion reduction such gargantuan occasions however continuously witnessed movie shootings in Chandrima’s open lawn. Though he would possibly not recall the actors or movie titles, it is known that Bangladesh’s first stout-size movie, Mukh O Mukhosh, had its launch at this lodge. In 1955, for the length of the shooting of scenes for the Hollywood movie All the arrangement in which via the World in 80 Days in Sreemangal, your complete movie unit become as soon as accommodated at Shahbagh Resort.
Poetry evenings and mushairas
The lodge become as soon as moreover a cultural hub, net hosting poetry readings and literary gatherings. Based totally on Hossain Mohammad Zaki, on 31 April 1968, a gargantuan mushaira (poetry recital) become as soon as held on the Engineers’ Institute.
Most East Pakistani writers had been unaware of this match. In response, the attach of abode’s Writers’ Association organized a counter poetry night on 19 Could perchance also of the similar year in the dinner birthday celebration hall of Shahbagh Resort, led by poet Hasan Hafizur Rahman.
Tidy ambiance and apparel
Azim Baksh vividly remembers the lodge’s entrance, which confronted Pubali Bank, whereas the exit led toward Birdem Fashioned Sanatorium. The reception location become as soon as spectacular, embellished with chandeliers and a bell hung with chains. The servers wore white achkans and pajamas with unheard of golden or crimson sashes round their waists and had been generally known as butlers.
Tutu Saad added extra crucial points, declaring that waiters wore white turbans and double-breasted coats with golden buttons, serving food with gloved arms. The lodge rooms had been colossal and properly-maintained.
Researcher Rezaul Karim Mukul documented that in surely one of Shahbagh Resort’s prolonged corridors, Pakistan’s “Mona Lisa,” actress Deeba, sprinted for a scene in the movie Milan. Actor Rahman serenaded her with the music, in Bashir Ahmed’s rendition, Tum Salamat Raho Muskurao Hanso.
From lodge to clinic
The groundwork for the transformation of the lodge into a clinic began in the 1960s. In 1961, discussions underneath the Dhaka College Ordinance proposed postgraduate medical training. By 1965, an advert hoc committee become as soon as fashioned to position the institution of a postgraduate heart, which began its first academic sessions in borrowed classrooms at Dhaka Clinical College.
Alternatively, the rush wasn’t subtle. In 1968, Pakistan’s central authorities resisted the enchancment of a peculiar institute, arguing that Karachi already had one. Dr Nurul Islam, a key settle in the mission, needed to argue that the geographic distance between the 2 provinces made such an institute wanted in East Pakistan. Lastly, the central authorities agreed however withdrew monetary give a take to, leaving the institute to rely on local efforts.
After the Liberation Warfare, the authorities regarded as the Shahbagh Resort as a permanent house for the Institute of Postgraduate Medication and Analysis (IPGMR). The lodge become as soon as struggling financially, and much of its furniture and services and products had been in uncomfortable condition. A committee, led by Dr Islam, assessed the constructing and deemed it precise for conversion into a clinic.
A legacy continues
The first Health, Labour and Social Welfare Minister of self sufficient Bangladesh, Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury, incorporated the Pubali Bank constructing – formerly the office of the Muslim League – into the IPGMR. From then on, compare actions, departments and the unreal of students frequently elevated.
In 1975, Sir John Crofton of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh visited the IPGMR and expressed pleasure with its progress. It is worth declaring that Dr James Cameron of the Royal College of Physicians become as soon as the principle director of the IPGMR.
The institution’s rush of progress never stopped, even supposing challenges, severely linked to location, remained. After Cameron left in 1968, Dr Nurul Islam took price as director and served on this attach of abode except 1987.
In 1998, the institution become as soon as upgraded to a school. Alternatively, it is soundless broadly generally known as PG Sanatorium despite its formal title being Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Clinical College (BSMMU).
On the present time the clinic caters to sufferers from all around the country daily. Every person is busy – sufferers with their ailments and students with their classes and seminars.
Ishrat Manzil has prolonged disappeared, however the enchancment of the worn lodge soundless stands. The legacy remains unforgotten.
