Central Shaheed Minar
The Central Shaheed Minar is established as a commemoration of those sacrificed their life for the cause of the Bangla language in 1952. It is a national monument and situated in the capital city of Dhaka.
In 1952, 21st February dozens of students, politicians and intellectuals were massacred by Pakistani police force near Dhaka Medical College and Ramna Park while in a procession demanding equal right to their native tongue Bangla. A temporary monument was erected on 13rd February in that very spot by the students of Dhaka University. But on 26th February it was destroyed by the Pakistani Police Force. Then after a long struggle the language Movement gained momentum and Bangla is given equal status as Urdu. To commemorate this history a Bengali sculptor Hamidur Rahman designed and built this Central Shaheed Minar which stands even today with its own glory. This Shaheed Minar is a great inspiration for the people of the country and also for the whole world as all celebrate the international mother language day on 21st February remembering the great sacrifice of those braveries.
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Jatiyo
Sriti Soudho Bengali: জাতীয় স্মৃতি সৌধ Jatio Sriti Shoudho) or National
Martyrs' Memorial is a cenotaph in Bangladesh. It is the symbol
of the valor and the sacrifice of those killed in the Bangladesh
Liberation War of 1971, which brought the sovereignty of Bangladesh from Pakastani
Rule. The monument is located in Savar, about 35 km north-west of the
capital, Dhaka. It was planned by Syed Mainul Hossain
Plans for
the monument were initiated right after the independence, in 1972. Following
the site selection, road and land development, a nation-wide design struggle
was held in June, 1978. Following evaluation of the 57 submissions, Syed Mainul
Hossain's design was chosen. The main configuration and the artificial lake and
other services were completed in 1982.
The
monument is poised of 7 isosceles triangular pyramid shaped structures, with
the middle one being the tallest. The highest point of the monument is 150
feet. There is an artificial lake, and several mass graves in front of the main
monument. National Martyrs' Memorial is situated is in Savar, about 35 km
north-west of Dhaka, symbolises the valour and sacrifice of the martyrs who
sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh.
A national
competition was in custody for the design of the project in June 1978. Among
the fifty-seven competitors Architect Syed Moinul Hossain's design proposal was
selected. The main monument is composed of seven isosceles triangular planes
each varying in size in its height and base. The highest one has the smallest
base while the broadest base has the lowest height. The planes are folded at
the middle and placed one after another. The highest point of the structure
reaches 150 feet. This unique arrangement of the planes has created a structure
that seems to change its configuration when viewed from diverse angles. The
architect has used concrete for the monument while all the other structures and
pavements of the complex are made of red bricks. Use of different materials has
added to the significance of the monument.
The whole
complex is multiply over an area of 34 hectares (84 acres) which is again
wrapped around by a green belt of 10 hectares (24.7 acre). Several mass-graves
and a indication water body are placed in front of the monument. Once one
enters the complex through the main gate he or she can see the monument axially
but to reach it one has to walk through different ups and downs of pavements
and cross an artificial lake by a bridge-all these represent the fight back for
independence.
The
project was constructed in three phases. The first one, began in 1972, involved
in acquiring land and constructing road for the assignment at a cost of Tk
2,600,000. During the second phase, 1974–1982, Tk 37,700,000 were spent in
order to build the mass-graves, helipad, parking space, pavements etc. In the
third phase, began in August 1982, the major structure was built apart from the
non-natural lake, green belt, cafeteria, housing etc. The third phase required
Tk 84,865,000 lacs. The Public Works Department of the Government of Bangladesh
supervised the building of the project.
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Ziaur Rahman, a name of an energetic, enthusiastic personality is a former President of Bangladesh, who affirmed as a president on 21st April, 1977and served the nation till 1981. Zia memorial museum of Chittagong city was a government Circuit House where this former President Ziaur Rahman is assassinated in 1981 on 31st April by a abortive military mutiny. After this incident the house turned into a museum and became a living memory of his life, effort and service as a Lt. Colonel, Deputy Chief of Staff of the army, Chief Martial Law Administrator, and also as a president of Bangladesh. As a visitor enters and goes ahead he /she feel an existing atmosphere of this ex-President.
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There have been nine national elections in Bangladesh. The first and second Parliaments used the Old Shangshad Bhaban, which currently serves as the Prime Minister's Office.
assembly of the Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban began in 1961 by the Government of Pakistan as a permanent building for the federal legislature of both West and East Pakistan. However, it was the eighth (and last) meeting of the second parliament of Bangladesh that first used it on 15 February 1982 after its construction was completed on 28 January of the same year. The Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban has been in action and has acted as the sole complex used as the National Assembly ever since.
Jatiyo Sangshad was designed by Louis Kahn. First, Mazharul Islam was given to design Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban by the government. But, Islam brought his teacher Louis Kahn into the project to perform a significant work for future production. But, Muzharul Islam assisted Kahn at the project. According to Robert McCarter, author of Louis I. Kahn,
Data
§ start of construction: 1961
§ price of construction and design: US$32 million
§ induction: 28 January 1982
§ designer: Louis I. Khan Total area: 200 acres (800,000 m²)
§ site: Sher- e -Bangla NagarDhaka, Bangladesh
§ figure of Parliaments: 7 (seven)
§ GIS coordinates: 23.762465°,90.378545°
History of use by Parliament
Seven Parliaments, together with the current one led by Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister, have used the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban as the congregation building:
Second Parliament: 2 years 11 months (2 April 1979 - 24 March 1982)
1. Third Parliament: 1 year 5 months (10th July 1986 - 6 December 1987)
2. Fourth Parliament: 2 years 7 months (15th April 1988 - 6 December 1990)
3. Fifth Parliament: 4 years 8 months (5th April 1991 - 24 November 1995)
4. Sixth Parliament: 12 days (19th March 1996 - 30 March 1996)
5. Seventh Parliament: 5 years (14th July 1996 - 13 July 2001)
6. Eighth Parliament: 5 years (28th October 2001 - 27 October 2006)
Louis Kahn intended the entire Jatiyo Sangsad complex, which includes lawns, lake and residences for the Members of the Parliament (MPs).The architect’s key design philosophy was to represent Bangladeshi culture and tradition, while at the same time optimizing the use of space. The exterior of the building is striking in its simplicity, with huge walls deeply dug in by porticoes and large openings of regular geometric shapes. The main building, which is at the center of the complex, is divided into three parts – the Main Plaza, South Plaza and Presidential Plaza. An artificial lake setting three sides of the main building of Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban, extending to the Members of Parliament hostel complex. This skillful use of water to portray the riverine beauty of Bangladesh adds to the visual value of the site.
The enclave, situated in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, is bounded by four major streets:
§ Lake street to the North;
§ Rokeya Sarani to the East;
§ Manik Mia street to the South; and
§ Mirpur highway to the West.
coordinates: 23.7624683 90.3784485
The main building (the Bhaban) is divided into three parts:
1. The Main square: 823,000 square feet (76,000 m²)
2. South square: 223,000 square feet (21,000 m²)
3. Presidential Plaza: 65,000 square feet (6,000 m²)
The main building is at the center of the compound. The outer parts of the complex consist of the MP hostel. An intricately designed lake surrounds the main building.
Kahn's key design philosophy optimizes the use of space while representing Bangladeshi heritage and society. External lines are deeply buried by porticoes with huge openings of regular geometric shapes on their exterior, shaping the building's overall illustration impact.
The Bhaban consists of nine individual blocks: the eight peripheral blocks rise to a height of 110' while the central octagonal block rises to a height of 155'. All nine blocks include different groups of practical spaces and have unlike levels, inter-linked horizontally and vertically by corridors, lifts, stairs, light courts, and circular areas. The entire structure is designed to blend into one single, non-differentiable unit, that appears from the outdoor to be a single story.
The main committee rooms are situated at level two in one of the peripheral blocks. All parliamentary functionaries, including Ministers and chairpersons of some of the reputation Committees, have offices in the Bhaban. The Parliament Secretariat also occupies offices in the same building.
The most important part of the Main Plaza is the Parliament Chamber, which can house up to 354 members during sessions. There are also two podiums and two galleries for VIP visitors. The Chamber has a utmost height of 117' with a parabolic shell roof. The roof was designed with a clearance of a single story to let in daylight. Daylight, sparkly from the neighboring walls and octagonal drum, filters into the Parliament Chamber. The efficient and aesthetic use of light was a strong architectural capability of Louis Kahn.
The fake lighting system has been warily devised to provide zero obstruction to the entry of daylight. A composite chandelier is suspended from parabolic shell roof. This chandelier in turn consists of a metallic web, straddling the entire chamber, that supports the entity light fixtures.
Upper levels of the block (that contains the Chamber) contain the tourist and press galleries, as well as statement booths, all of which miss the Parliament Chamber. The block also contains:
§ at stage one, a library;
§ at stage three, MPs’ lounges; and
§ at the upper stage, party rooms.
The South Plaza faces the Manik Mia Avenue. It gradually rises to a 20' height and serves as a beautiful exterior as well as the main way in (used by members during sessions) to the Parliament structure.
The Presidential Plaza lies to the North and faces the Lake Road. It functions as an intimate plaza for the MPs and other dignitaries. It contains marble steps, a gallery and an open pavement.
Other Information: achievement date: 1982
activity: civic
manufacture cost: US$32 million
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