Wari (Bengali: ওয়ারী) is an upscale historical neighbourhood[3][4][5][6] and a thana (police jurisdiction) in Dhaka District in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh. Located in the Old Dhaka quarter, it is the first planned neighbourhood in Dhaka city, established in the late 19th century.[7][8] The area is home to the Baldha Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens established in this part of Bengal.[9]
Wari
ওয়ারী | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Division | Dhaka Division |
| District | Dhaka District |
| Municipal corporation | Dhaka South City Corporation |
| Formed | 2012 |
| Area | |
• Total | 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 125,011 |
| • Density | 63,000/km2 (160,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+6 (BST) |
| Postal code | 1203[1] |
| Area code | 02[2] |
Formed in 2012, Wari Thana falls under the administrative area of the Dhaka South City Corporation and had a population of about 1.25 lakh at the 2022 Bangladeshi census.[10]
History
editThe origin of the name "Wari" has been subject to debate. While many attribute it to Dhaka's magistrate in 1884 Frederick Wyer, historian Hashem Sufi suggests that it dates back to the Mughal period when troops garrisoned here in large tents (wari in Persian).
Before the British government acquired the area in the 19th century, Muslin artisans, known for repairing clothing, inhabited the area. Spanning seven hundred acres, the whole area was rented as an agricultural settlement in 1839, primarily comprising orchards. Despite rent adjustments, by 1876, a significant portion of Wari had become abandoned and overgrown with jungles.
In 1885, the British administration tasked Wyre with Wari's development as a residential area. Wyre embarked on clearing jungles, constructing roads, and dividing the land into residential plots. Plots were priced at six rupees per bigha and primarily distributed to government employees, with a stipulation that houses must be built within three years, subject to approval by the magistrate. Although plots sold swiftly, full occupancy of the area was delayed likely due to financial constraints of the landowners.
Following its transformation into a residential hub in the early 20th century, Wari was described as having clean thoroughfares and a sparse populace. The dwellings, largely inhabited by middle-class residents, exhibited distinct characteristics, resembling rural homes with predominantly single-storey structures and open lawns. Wari evolved into a Hindu-majority area as government jobs were primarily held by Hindus at the time, most of whom later migrated to India following the partition. As Dhaka expanded and better opportunities arose elsewhere, many families relocated to other areas within the city.[11][8][7][12]
In 2012, Wari Thana was established with a population of approximately 2.6 lakh residents.[13]
Geography
editThe area of the police jurisdiction is approximately 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq mi), extending from Gopibag Railway Crossing in the north, Nababpur Road in the west, Narinda Road Crossing in the south, and in the east from the Christian cemetery until Swamibag Railway Crossing.[13]
Gallery
edit-
Christian cemetery -
Doel Square -
Vandalized Wari police station in 2024
References
edit- ^ "Bangladesh Postal Code". Dhaka: Bangladesh Postal Department under the Department of Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh Area Code". China: Chahaoba.com. 18 October 2024.
- ^ "Wari Area Guide - Bproperty". Bproperty Area Guides. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Posh Areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh | ASSURE". www.assuregroupbd.com. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Segunbagicha: From Dhaka's cultural capital to a commercial centre". The Business Standard. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "::: Star Weekend Magazine :::". www.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Old Dhaka's Wari: From cultural hub to just another urban jungle". The Business Standard. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b Hossain, Nazir (April 1995). Kiṃbadantira Ḍhākā কিংবদন্তির ঢাকা [Dhaka in Legends] (in Bengali) (3rd ed.). Dhaka: Three Star Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited. pp. 51–52. LCCN 95905768. OCLC 33970022.
- ^ Ahmed, Zia Uddin (2012). "Baldah Garden". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ National Report (PDF). Population and Housing Census 2022. Vol. 1. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023. p. 386. ISBN 978-9844752016.
- ^ Mamoon, Muntassir (December 1995). Ḍhākā samagra ঢাকা সমগ্র [Dhaka Collection] (in Bengali). Vol. 2 (1st ed.). Kolkata: Sahitya Lok. pp. 66–67.
- ^ Jamil, Syed Maqsud (21 July 2006). "Wari: A Heritage Crumbling in the High-rise Scramble". Star Weekend. Vol. 5, no. 104. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b "রাজধানীর নতুন থানা ওয়ারী" [Wari, the capital's new thana]. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). 3 April 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2024.