Dhaka Nagar Jadughar: A museum with no visitors

Even on a good day, five to 10 people visit Dhaka Nagar Jadughar, the one inside Nagar Bhaban of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). On some days, not even a single visitor can be seen on the premises.

Visitors complain that the museum, maintained by three staffers, does not have enough publicity as well as an adequate collection, hence the establishment's miserable state.

Despite the situation, the museum's trustee board did not see any measures to develop the place, even after making repeated proposals to the mayor and officials since 1996.

THE HISTORY

Dhaka Nagar Jadughar was first opened on June 20, 1986, in a house on Panch Bhai Lane, Old Dhaka. Its main initiator was historian Muntasir Mamoon; others involved in the endeavour were historian Sirajul Islam, city expert Nazrul Islam, architect Rabiul Hussain and artist Hashem Khan.

The museum was inaugurated on July 20, 1996, by Sheikh Hasina, then prime minister. From that day, Dhaka City Corporation got the responsibility to maintain the museum. Currently, it is under the jurisdiction of DSCC.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Located on the fourth floor, the walls of the museum present historical pictures, like those of heritage sites, cultural monuments and scenes of the Liberation War in Old Dhaka.

Some rare photos include those of Old Dhaka Rose Garden, Ruplal House, Hosseini Building, Boro Katra, Choto Katra, Sat Gambuj Mosque, St James Church and Old High Court building.

A printing press stands in the middle of the exhibition hall. According to the description, the machine, made in 1822, was one of the earliest presses in Dhaka. National Professor Abdur Razzaq had donated it to the museum.

The establishment also has hookahs, drinking bowls, coins, copper buckets, jugs, dressing tables and various utensils from Dhaka's Nawabi period in the nineteenth century.

On a wall near the entry gate, there is a poster of the inauguration held in 1996.

THE DEARTH OF VISITORS

The museum is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm on all days except Fridays and Saturdays. Even though the entrance fee is only Tk 2, the number of daily visitors is quite low. Since the start of this year, tickets have not been issued, so entrance is now free.

This correspondent stayed at the museum for hours recently but did not see any visitors.

Bhupendranath Chakraborty, caretaker of Dhaka City Museum, said families and educational institutions should visit the museum to create interest in history among students.

Plans have been made to expand the museum's collection, he said.

MUSEUM TO BE SHIFTED TO ROSE GARDEN

Although 26 years have passed since the museum's establishment, no development has taken place. Now, DSCC is planning for future development.

The establishment will shift to the historic Rose Garden and will be maintained by the Ministry of Culture Affairs.

DSCC spokesperson Abu Naser told The Daily Star that the government has taken an initiative to develop the museum.

Meanwhile, although the trustee board was formed in 1996, it has only held one meeting so far, according to the board.

Prof Muntasir Mamoon, chairperson of the trustee board, said, "We had given the museum as a gift to then mayor Mohammad Hanif. But no mayor has taken initiative for its development. As a result, we gave up long ago, out of frustration."

Regarding the plan to shift, he said, "We have heard about it but did not have any conversation regarding the matter."

Abu Naser said, "The archaeology department wants this museum to be shifted to Rose Garden. We are working on it. Before shifting, we will talk with all stockholders."