A 'katra' is essentially a caravanserai — a traveller's inn of sorts. It was established around the mid-17th century.

This artwork, from the year 1823, gives a rare glimpse of Boro Katra.

A portion of Old Dhaka’s iconic Mughal monument Boro Katra has recently been demolished. In response, Urban Study Group, an organisation that campaigns for the protection of the architectural heritage of Dhaka, hosted a press conference last Wednesday, where its CEO, Taimur Islam, elaborated on the damages done and called for the protection of this age-old site.

Dhaka city’s two ancient structures -- Boro Katra and Chhoto Katra -- are at the verge of extinction due to rampant encroachment in absence of government measures to preserve those.