Verified Company
Sonakanda Fort, situated on the eastern bank of the Shitalakshya River in Bandar, Narayanganj, is a fascinating 17th-century Mughal river defense structure. Likely built by Subahdar Mir Jumla II between 1660 and 1663, this quadrangular brick fortress was designed to shield the capital city of Dhaka from aggressive Magh and Portuguese river pirates.
The fort's most distinctive architectural highlight is its massive, elevated circular artillery platform facing west toward the river. Complete with a staircase and a beautifully decorated arched gateway, this platform once held heavy-caliber cannons aimed at incoming invaders. Thick defensive walls measuring about 3 meters high are crowned with beautiful merlons and lined with strategic loopholes, allowing soldiers to safely fire rifles and light cannons from behind cover.
For history enthusiasts, the fort offers a captivating glimpse into ancient naval defensive engineering, enriched by moving local legends about Princess Swarnamoyee and Sona Bibi. While the Department of Archaeology maintains and has partially restored the main ramparts, the site occasionally suffers from local encroachment and littering. Nonetheless, its peaceful open courtyard, historic ambiance, and proximity to Dhaka make it an exceptional off-the-beaten-path destination for a rewarding day trip.
You can watch this Sonakanda Fort Explore Guide to visually tour the massive artillery platform, the ancient entry gate, and see the layout of the grounds before your trip.
