Panam Nagar

Layout The historic township, located near the present-day capital of Dhaka and containing the only surviving relics of the Panam area, extends along a narrow, winding street approximately 600 metres in length and 5 metres in width. Panam Nagar is flanked by canals on both sides. The northern waterway is known as Pankhiraj Canal. Whilst ancient pre-Muslim relics are absent, and Muslim-era remnants are scarce, Mughal architectural elements are still discernible. These include cusp moulding above door and window apertures, ogee-shaped windows, rectangular facade panels, floral surface embellishments, and small niches with pointed arches. The predominant structures are Hindu landlords' residences, constructed in a colonial style. This approach amalgamates Western technological and structural principles with classical Mughal design elements. Despite the buildings' Western decorative aesthetics, the spatial planning remained fundamentally local in character. The early colonial phase saw the emergence of a hybrid style, serving as a transitional link between Mughal and colonial architectural traditions. Buildings erected during this intermediary period generally retained the bold, dominant Mughal style whilst gradually incorporating contemporary European architectural features. Buildings The site comprises 52 buildings, consisting of two- and three-storey structures facing one another. Of these, 31 are situated on the northern side of the street, whilst 21 are on the southern side. The establishments incorporate architectural elements from the Sultanate, Mughal, British, and colonial civilisations. The buildings of Panam Nagar can be categorised into four types: • Central hall: Buildings constructed with double-height main hall rooms as the primary focus in the plan layout. For example, building number 26. • Central courtyard: Buildings that feature an internal open central courtyard. Building number 840 is an example of this type. • Consolidated: Buildings that lack any internal hall room or courtyard. For example, building number 22. Majority of the buildings in the site are of this type, mostly single-storied. • Compartment: These are smaller structures without internal space articulations. There are five such small buildings in the settlement. == History ==

Early history The term "Panam" is believed to have Persian origins, meaning "shelter". Historical accounts suggest that the Panam area was part of the capital city of Sonargaon during Hindu rule in the late 13th century. In the 15th century, Isa Khan, who led the Baro-Bhuyans, established the Bhati region in this area. He designated Panam as the capital, after which Sonargaon was administered from Panam. Of the three cities comprising ancient Sonargaon—Boro Nagar, Khash Nagar and Panam Nagar—Panam Nagar was regarded as the most appealing. During the Mughal era, several key infrastructural elements were constructed, including the Panam Bridge, Dalalpur Pool, Panamnagar Bridge, and a highway, establishing a direct link between Panam Nagar and the capital. Revival In the 19th century, the township of Panam Nagar began to develop within a small section of the abandoned, overgrown region. This coincided with Sonargaon's rise to prominence as a hub for cotton fabric trade, particularly muslin, under the British East India Company and colonial period. During this period, affluent Hindu merchants (taluqdars) settled in the area, Illegal occupants were completely removed by 2009, and visitors are required to buy tickets since 6 October 2015. Notably, in 2006, the New York-based World Monuments Fund included Panam Nagar in its World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites. On 13 August 2020, a six-person committee was formed, comprising university lecturers and architects, to provide their views and conduct research on a restoration project. Subsequently, restoration work was launched on 21 December. == In popular culture ==

A docu-drama Subarnagram was made in 2010 about the history and heritage of Panam Nagar. The 2011 film Guerilla, directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff, used it as a filming location. ==Gallery==

Image: A dwelling at Panam City.jpg|An abandoned building showcasing eclectic architectural influences Image: Sonargaon (154).JPG|Kashinath House (#38), built in 1898 AD Image: Panam03.jpg|Choto Sardar Bari Image: Panam City 9378.jpg|Hindu religious inscription on stucco relief under a Mughal-style arch. Image: Panam City November 2017 07.jpg|Stucco ornament over a door Image: Panam city design.jpg|Column capital with stucco ornament Panam City, an ancient historical city at Sonargaon (27).jpg|Ornate ceiling Image: Panam City November 2017 11.jpg|Mosaic plaque by a front-door Image: ঐতিহাসিক পানাম নগর! 30.jpg|Checkered floor interior Image: Elegance of Panam City.jpg| Cast iron column and arch opening with floral ornamentation (building #31, built in 1928 AD) Image: Panam City, an ancient historical city at Sonargaon (29).jpg|Mughal-style arch over a door. Image: Old House (212866955).jpeg|Islamic-style facade. File:An ancient temple in Panam Nagar, Bangladesh.jpg ==See also==