Munshiganj - Bangladesh Suburb at its Best

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For someone (such as myself) who has rarely gone on suburban/rural tours around Bangladesh, Munshiganj is definitely the perfect platform to embark on the journey to explore the countryside. Munshiganj is situated on the banks of the Meghna River, possibly the most serene as well as important river for communication. It is the perfect setting on the outskirts of Dhaka, the capital city that gives you the feel of blossoming industrialization in a sub-rural setting. As a result, Munshiganj has earned the reputation of being one of the most well accommodated areas for ship builders.

Historically, Munshiganj used to be the political and cultural centre of ancient Bengal. It was the capital city of the Candra, Varman and Sena dynasties, from the beginning of the 10th century AD to the beginning of the 13th century AD. It was officially known as Bikrampur until 1986 and was part of Dhaka District. The remains of the city of Bikrampur, the capital of the ancient kingdoms of southeastern Bengal, are lost and its location can only be guessed on the basis of available data. As a result, today the area is a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhists.

Taking the historical background and location into consideration, tour operators have ventured into the idea of using the Meghna River as the main path of travel for tourists to explore and enjoy Bangladesh. Tiger Tours, a fair trade tour operator applauded to be one of first of its kind, is about to launch Bangladesh’s first ever “Luxurious Floating” Hotel. Christened as the MV Tanguar Haor, it is fitted with fully furnished, locally crafted products with modern design amenities on both cabins and on deck. Its aim is to enlighten tourists about the rich history and cultural heritage of Bangladesh along the banks of the rivers spread across the country.

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