The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has done a good job by restoring a 350-year old historic structure to its original grandeur, and then opening it to public last week. This historic gate is located at the intersection of the Curzon Hall of Dhaka University, the Suhrawardy Uddyan and the Science Library. The DSCC spent Tk 8.2 million for the renovation and face-lifting of the gate.
But questions have been raised over the naming of the gate. The DNCC named it as 'the Dhaka Gate' which drew flaks from the historians and people who are experts on heritage sites. According to them, the original name of the gate is Mir Jumla Gate and by renaming it as the Dhaka Gate, the authorities knowingly or unknowingly have distorted history.
Mir Jumla was a renowned Mughal warrior who led many successful campaigns on behalf of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Later, when he was appointed governor of the state of Bengal, he has contributed a lot to build Dhaka as one of the prime cities of the Mughal empire. He constructed several establishments including the Gate, which was then regarded as the opening of the city from the northern side.
Interestingly, the canon of Mir Jumla which was used by him when he conquered Assam was also brought by the DNCC. The Canon is positioned near the left wing of the reconstructed gate, as it was one of the most useful weapons Mir Jumla had used against enemies.
As the Gate is one of the oldest examples of Mughal architecture in the capital, it possesses huge historic value. History says that one of the objectives of constructing the gate by Mir Jumla was to protect the city from pirates, who often used the Buriganga River to launch attacks. History also says that British Magistrate Charles Dawes renovated the gate in 1825 after it was partially damaged.
Distortion of historical names results in concealing their original meanings and significance. Heritage is often defined as our legacy from the past, what we live within the present, and what we pass on to future generations to learn from, and marvel at.
Preserving original names is an important aspect of our living heritage that we need to preserve by all means possible. Historical names are of major social importance and represent irreplaceable cultural values of vital significance.
It is an important social responsibility to ensure that original names are not distorted, and that a heritage site is preserved to represent our true history. And that is why; we see that throughout the world a practice of renaming many places in accordance with history has started in recent times.
Bombay was renamed Mumbai, Chittagong as Chottogram and Burma was renamed as Myanmar to revive the historical linkage which was distorted by the colonial rulers.
Historical names constitute an essential part of the cultural heritage of a nation that reflects varied aspects of a people's economic, political, social and religious history.
So, let us hope that the DSCC will restore the original name of the gate by renaming it Mir Jumla Gate for the sake of preserving true history and to pay due homage to this legendary Mughal ruler. After all, no other ruler was as passionate as Mir Jumla in his love for Dhaka.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com