Sonargaon Panam Nagar is an ancient and historical place of Bangladesh located in Sonargaon Upazila of Narayanganj District, Bangladesh. This city once gained its fame as the capital of Bengal. Panam Nagar’s role in every level of cultural and commercial activities during Mughal, Sultanate and British rule was remarkable. Its muslin, jamdani, and other handicrafts became famous all over the world. Panam Nagar still bears witness to its rich history and remains a special attraction for tourists.

Ancient history of Sonargaon

The history of Sonargaon spans over a thousand years. The ancient name of Sonargaon was Suvarnagram, which later came to be known as Sonargaon. During the Sultanate rule of ancient Bengal, Sonargaon developed as an important political, economic, and cultural center. Sonargaon was a major administrative region of Bengal in the 13th century when Bogra Khan, son of Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban, ruled Bengal. Sonargaon became known as the capital of Bengal under Sultan Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah in the 14th century.

Sonargaon grew in importance under the leadership of Baro Bhuiyan under Isha Khan. Isha Khan established Sonargaon as his capital and during this period Panam Nagar became well known for its commercial activities. During the Mughal period, the Subahdars of Bengal controlled the administrative and commercial activities of Sonargaon, which influenced the architecture and development of Panam Nagar.

In the 15th century, Isa Khan established the first capital of Bengal at Sonagaon. Bilati Thankapar came from Bilat via the Meghna in the east and Shitalakshya in the west, and muslin went from the country. Shitalakshya and Meghna Ghats were crowded with sailing boats every day. Around that time, as a result of the East India Company’s commercial activities and permanent settlements, Panam City was built in a new colonial style with European inspiration. Later, the blue trade took over the clothing trade. The British established a trading center for indigo here.

W. W. According to Hunter, Panam was the capital of Sonargaon during the Sultanate period. But in Panama, there is hardly any architecture from the Sultanate period, so the truth of this claim is not well proven. In this case, James Taylor said, the ancient city of Sonargaon was Panam. There is no factual conflict with this theory. The city is rich in colonial-style two-storied and one-storied houses. Most of whose houses date from the 19th century (with nameplates dated 1813 AD). Originally, Panam was the residence of the rich traders of Bengal at that time. The business of traders was across Dhaka-Calcutta. They built this city.

After the possession of Sonargaon by the Mughals in 1611 AD, the Panam area was directly connected with the capital city due to the construction of roads and bridges. The location of Panam Pool (defunct), Dulalpur Pool and Panamnagar Bridge and the canals on three sides indicate that Panam, Sonargaon was a suburb.

Isa Khan, the independent king of Bengal, walked in this city. The culture of Bengal was developed here since the Sultanate period.

Influence of Mughal and British rule

Although the importance of Sonargaon declined somewhat during the Mughal rule, Panam Nagar retained its prominence as a commercial center. The influence of Mughal architecture is evident here, reflected in arches, high ceilings, and large courtyards. During the British period, Panama City witnessed some new constructions and architectural changes, incorporating western architectural styles.

During the British rule, the commercial activities of Sonargaon changed somewhat and the local handloom and textile industry grew in importance. The British established new markets here and exported the handicrafts of Sonargaon abroad. However, towards the end of British rule, Sonargaon and Panam Nagar gradually declined in importance and became largely rural areas.

Architecture and Buildings

The architecture of Panama City is a reflection of its diverse history. Mughal, Sultanate, and British architecture can be seen here side by side. A notable feature of Panam Nagar architecture are arches, wide balconies, tall windows and elaborate walls. There are a total of 52 historic buildings, which were mainly used for commercial and residential purposes.

**Palaces and Residences:** The architectural style of various palaces and residences in Panam Nagar shows a combination of Mughal and British architecture. The artistic works and elaborate panels on the walls of many palaces stand as examples of ancient art. Limestone, brick and locally sourced materials are used in the buildings.

**Mosques and Temples:** Panam Nagar has several mosques and temples, which are a sign of the religious coexistence here. The presence of arch and dome architecture is noticeable in the mosques. Metal crafts, statues and touches of ancient culture are found in the temples. The locations of temples and mosques are scattered in different parts of the city, highlighting the diverse culture of Sonargaon.

**Bridges and Other Structures:** Panam Bridge is one of the oldest structures in the city. It is a single-lane bridge that is one of the landmarks of Mughal architecture and serves as the gateway to Panam Nagar. Besides, Panam Nagar has various small bridges, reservoirs, and other structures that add to the architectural beauty of the city.

Economic activity

Sonargaon Panam Nagar’s economy was historically dependent on muslin, silk cloth, and other handicrafts. The muslin cloth of Bengal, which was known as the finest and most expensive cloth in the world, was manufactured from Sonargaon and exported to various countries. The economy of Panam Nagar was well known for its commercial activities during the Mughal and British periods. Sonargaon’s economy expanded further during British rule, when the British developed local handicrafts for export.

Social and cultural life

Sonargaon Panam Nagar’s social and cultural life is as diverse as its history. The lifestyle of the people here is still largely rural and traditional. Weaving, pottery, and other handicrafts are the main occupations of the people here. Local folk culture, songs, dances, and fairs are common here.

**Folk Crafts and Fairs:** Sonargaon hosts Folk and Crafts Fairs every year, which is one of the largest folk craft fairs in Bangladesh. A variety of handicrafts, folk art, and food products are exhibited here. Besides, local people and tourists come to the fair to buy local products. The fair makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

**Religious Festivals:** Religious coexistence is notable in Sonargaon, where Muslims, Hindus, and other religions celebrate their religious events equally. Local mosques and temples hold regular religious ceremonies and prayers. Eid, Puja, and other religious festivals create a vibrant atmosphere in Sonargaon.

Environment and scenery

The environment of Sonargaon is a combination of its natural beauty and heritage. There are various rivers, water bodies, and green forests around the city which add to the natural beauty of Sonargaon. The architecture and environment of Panam Nagar blend together to create a spectacular landscape.

**Environmental Challenges:** The environmental condition of Sonargaon is currently facing various challenges. Construction of modern facilities, unwanted urbanization, and lack of awareness of the local people are negatively impacting the traditional environment of Sonargaon. Buildings and other structures in Panam Nagar currently lack renovation, which may push these structures to ruin in the future.

**Conservation Initiatives:** Various projects have been undertaken by the government for the conservation and restoration of Panam Nagar. UNESCO and other international organizations have also taken initiatives to preserve the heritage of Panama City. By increasing the awareness of the local people, it is possible to protect the ecological balance of Panam Nagar and preserve the historical structures.

Development of tourism industry

Panam Nagar is particularly popular with tourists for its ancient architecture and heritage. Every day many tourists come here to see the historical monuments. The development of the tourism industry is having a positive impact on the local economy. The government and local administration have undertaken various infrastructure development projects to improve the tourism industry.

**Main attractions:**

**Buildings of Panam Nagar:** Every building in Panam Nagar is attractive to tourists due to its own beauty and architectural style. The houses here clearly show a blend of Mughal and British architecture.

**Folk and Handicrafts Museum:** Folk and Handicrafts Museum located in Sonargaon is one of the largest museums in Bangladesh, which preserves artifacts of ancient Bengali and local crafts. This museum is a special attraction for the visitors.

**Meghna River:** Meghna River flows past Sonargaon, where boat trips are a popular attraction for tourists. Various small markets and local eateries along the river also attract tourists.

Challenges and future prospects

The main challenges in the conservation of Panam Nagar are illegal encroachment, environmental degradation, lack of adequate maintenance and lack of awareness among local people. Local administration, government and various organizations are taking initiative to face these challenges. The future prospects of Panam Nagar are bright, if proper conservation and reconstruction work is done.

**Future Plans:** The government and various organizations have plans to preserve the traditional architecture of Panam Nagar and further develop the tourism industry. Resorts, restaurants, and other tourism-supporting infrastructure are planned to increase the facilities for tourists. Besides, restoration of the architectural monuments of Panam Nagar is also underway.

Sonargaon Panam Nagar is not just an ancient city, it is a living symbol of the historical and cultural heritage of Bengal. Every brick, every arch, every wall of Panam Nagar bears witness to the past glory and culture of Bengal. Through its proper preservation and restoration we can properly present our heritage to the next generation. Preservation and development of the ancient architecture, rich history, and diverse culture of Panama City is an important responsibility for our nation.

Panam Nagar is an amalgamation of its past glories, present challenges, and future prospects. If its proper preservation and restoration can be ensured, it can become a historical and cultural center not only of Bangladesh but of entire South Asia. This requires proper direction, planning, and local and international cooperation. In this way we can preserve the glorious past of Panam Nagar and leave it as an important heritage for the futurrule