It was one of the largest and most prosperous cities of the Indian subcontinent and the center of the worldwide muslin trade.

The then Nawab of Bengal Murshid Quli Khan, later shifted the capital from Dhaka to Murshidabad in the early-18th century.

With the rise of Calcutta (now Kolkata) during British rule, Dhaka began to decline and came to be known as the "City of Magnificent Ruins".

[3] Old Dhaka is famous for its variety of foods and amicable living of people of all religions in harmony.

The festivals which are celebrated by all religious communities with much splendor include Shakrain (পৌষ সংক্রান্তি), Pohela Falgun,[7] and Halkhata (হালখাতা).

The name of the town may have derived after the establishment of the Goddess Dhakeshvari's temple by Ballal Sena in the 12th century.

[10] The oldest standing mosque was built in 1454 by Bakht Binat during the rule of Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah.

[10] The development of townships and housing has resulted in a significant growth in population, as the city was proclaimed the capital (replacing Rajmahal) of the Bengal Subah under Mughal rule in 1608.

[14] The national political party, Bangladesh Awami League, was founded in Rose Garden Palace on 23 June 1949.

[16][17] Old Dhaka has a large number of chemical, plastic, electrical goods factories, and printing presses.

[21] Ansarullah Bangla Team attacked a police check post, leaving two cops injured and the capture of one terrorist on 1 February 2017.

[24][25] The government declared Shankhari Bazaar a heritage site in 2013, which met resistance from the residents who wanted to expand the buildings.

Shankhari Bazaar is a historically Hindu neighborhood known for its Shakhari (conch musical instrument) makers.

The shops are in decline as many news to buy cheaper bangles made from artificial shell.

[41] Taazia processions are held by Shia Muslims on the occasion of Muharram near Hossaaini and Barha Katra.

[43] During Durge Puja some parts of Old Dhaka are brightly decorated and people play drums in the streets.

[45] Morog (Chicken) polau is set apart from traditional biriyani in its use of turmeric and malai (cream of milk) together.

[46] An old specialty is bakarkhani with ‘kata moshlar mangsho' is meat cooked with whole spices not powder or paste.

[48][49] Boro baper polay khai, made with minced meat, chick peas, eggs, potatoes and 13 different spices, is a Ramadan specialty.

Old Dhaka is bounded by the areas of Mohammadpur on the west, Dhanmondi, New Market, Shahbagh, Ramna, Motijheel and Sabujbagh on the north, Jatrabari and Shyampur on the east, adding also Kamrangir Char Thana and Keraniganj Upazila on the south.