Muqim Katra

Muqim Katra was a Saraikhana (caravanserai) constructed by Mir Muqim in the Mughal period. At present it is known as Moqim katra. We do not know about Muqim Katra and Mirza Muqim due to scarcity of concrete evidence. Probably Mirja Muqim was the Nawara Musarefi (warden of Navy) while mir jumla (1660-1663) took charge as the subahdar of Bengal in 1660. Mirza Muqim and Mir Muhammad Muqim was the same person. The palace of Mirza Muqim had been identified at Bangabhaban or Dilkhusa area. He dug several ponds, tanks and constructed katra for the welfare of the people. The tank in bangabhaban's premises and the pond within the Motiur Sishu Park were dug during his time. Dhaka (situated on the bank of Buriganga) was a center of trade in Mughal period. Mirza Muqim constructed a Katra in 1661 to serve the business class. The katra was located in between of present Chawak Bazar and Moulovi Bazar. abdul karim (Dacca the Mughal Capital) stated that the Katra was situated in the east of the Central Jail and just behind the main entrance of it. This part of old Dhaka is known as 'Muqim Katra' while there is no noticeable sign of it. syed muhammed taifoor (Glimpses of Old Dhaka) stated that Mukim Katra covered almost the entire area of Moulovi Bazar. Afterward the Katra erected over the remnant of Moulovi Bazar. But now a part of Moulovi Bazar is known as Muqim Katra. [Gazi Md. Mizanur Rahman]

Bibliography Nazir Hossain, Kingbodontir Dhaka, Three-star Co-operative Multipurpose Society Ltd, (3rd ed 1995), Dhaka; Muntassir Mamoon, Dhaka: Smriti-Bismritir Nagori, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1993; ABM Husain (ed), Architecture, Vol. 2, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2007;