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

The opening ceremony of ‘Bengal Stream: The Vibrant Architecture Scene of Bangladesh’ was held at Bengal Shilpalay December 10, 2022. M.A Mannan, Honorable Minister of Planning, Government of Bangladesh inaugurated the exhibition as the Chief Guest. Nathalie Chuard, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, and Honorable Member of Parliament, Mr. Asaduzzaman Noor, were also present as Special Guests at the event.

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.

Unlike Mughal Emperor Akbar's planned capital at Fatehpur Sikri in Agra or Shah Jahan's capital in Delhi—both constructed with a unitary concept over a relatively short time span—Mughal-era provincial capitals like Dhaka (or Lahore) grew piecemeal, during an extended period of time.