Panam Nagar (পানাম নগর) : An Abandoned Hindu City from the 19th

When was Panam Nagar established? Panam Nagar, also known as Panam City, traces its origins to the late 13th century. It was initially a thriving commercial center during the British colonial period1.

How was Panam Nagar abandoned?

The city was abandoned after the partition of India in 1947 and subsequent riots in 1964. The Hindu merchants who lived there migrated to India, and the area was left deserted1.

Current state of Panam Nagar:

Today, Panam Nagar stands as a collection of dilapidated buildings along a single street. It has been declared an archaeological site, and ongoing restoration efforts aim to preserve its rich historical legacy.

Panam Nagar stretches along a single street, 5 meters wide and 600 meters long, lined with 52 abandoned houses of varying types and sizes. These houses, ranging from one to three stories, display a unique blend of urban street-front character. Despite its current state of disuse, one can still sense the vibrant life of Panam Nagar in its prime. Each house presents a facade that enriches the visual symphony of Panam Street, creating a harmonious whole.

The city is encircled by artificial canals and features shared backyard facilities like ponds and wells. Architectural unity is achieved through consistent height, symmetry, and arched openings, while verandas, balconies, and decorative parapets add variety, interlocking the buildings with the sky. The decorative treatments reflect a blend of European and local motifs, adding to the city's charm.

Panam Nagar boasts a variety of buildings, ranging from single to three-story structures. These buildings, in various states of dilapidation, were once urban street-front houses reflecting a blend of Mughal, British, and Hindu architectural styles. A defining feature is their unified yet distinct facades, each contributing to the harmonious whole of Panam Street.

The buildings often include verandas, balconies, and porches, adorned with decorative parapets and projected cornices that visually connect with the sky. Shared backyard facilities like ponds, ghats, and wells highlight the communal living of its past inhabitants. The intricate designs reveal an interplay of European and local motifs, creating a captivating architectural tapestry.

Bricks are the primary construction material of Panam Nagar, modeled into various shapes and either plastered or left exposed for facade delineation. Roofs generally stood on wooden joists, with occasional use of I-beams, and small rooms often had brick vaulted roofs. Plaster decoration was extensively applied in both facade design and interiors. False wooden doors and windows, shaped with plaster, were common decorative elements. Brick and plaster were also used to imitate stone quoins. Additionally, cast iron brackets, ventilators, window grills, and balusters were widely employed. Mosaic decoration with broken china, known locally as 'chinitikri,' was popular for interior decor, with modest exterior applications found in some examples.

You can take a bus from Gulistan to Mograpara (মোগরাপাড়া) bus stand. From there, you can travel by CNG(tuk tuk). The distance from Dhaka is about 30 km, and it usually takes between 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic. By bus it might take more time then usual.