Translating text into space for mapping the past territory of a city: a study on spatial development of Dhaka during Mughal period

Mashrur Rahman,Roxana Hafiz,Kawser Bin Zaman

doi:10.1186/s40410-016-0036-y

Mashrur Rahman, Roxana Hafiz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-016-0036-y

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Abstract

There is no established methodology for mapping the past territory of cities from text based historic information. As a result, the past territories of cities often remain obscure due to lack of spatial representation. This article proposes a GIS based methodology to study the spatial development of cities in early times. It focuses on ‘historical geography’ which has been evolved as an interdisciplinary field bridging the divide between history and geography. Analyzing different ‘named places’ mentioned in the historical sources it first tries to develop a clear understanding about the physical development of Dhaka during Mughal period, which was then the capital of Bengal. Later it georeferenced those named places and applied GIS based techniques to map the past urban territory. The result shows the spatial development of Dhaka in Mughal period and how it undergone changes in pre and post Mughal era. The area of Dhaka in Mughal period was quantified 12.93 km2 which was comparable with any other top cities of the world in the 17th century. Application of GIS also extends the scope of the study to explain spatial pattern of the localities and the geological aspects of early urban development of Dhaka. Analyzing different historic sources of information (both texts and maps), it has tried to define the past extent of Mughal Dhaka which has been missing till now. The methodological prospects of this study and its application will not only be limited in context of Dhaka, but for other cities as well.

Highlights

There is no established methodology for mapping the past territory of cities from text based historic information
Rennell’s map can depict the early course of the River Buriganga as presently, the river has been shifted away (Fig. 1). This map was used as the base map in this study representing the Mughal Dhaka
The city territory of Dhaka can be delineated from this map. This allowed comparing the spatial development of Dhaka during Mughal and post Mughal period

Summary

Methods

The most vital part of the study was reviewing various archival documents, chronicles, historic books, administrative reports about the past history of Dhaka. Mirza Nathan in his book Baharistan-i-Ghaibi stated about the existence of a fort named Beg Murad’s fort (located at present Mill barrack area in Alamganj) in the east of city at the mouth of Dhulai Canal It was built in pre-Mughal period which bore the testimony of Pathan establishment (Haider 1967). All these landmarks defined the limit of the past Ramna area (Mamoon 1993) Quantifying the area of urban territory and the spatial pattern of the localities The maps generated in GIS create a scope for a spatial analysis of urban expansion of Dhaka in pre and post Mughal periods. Certain areas in the west of the pre-Mughal area—Alamganj, Farashganj and Postgola came under the development to the extent where the old natural levee along the riverside was available. The city followed the characteristics riparian pattern along the natural levee, as compared with the stable waterfront development in Agra, the upland river terrace and plains development in Delhi and Lahore

Results

Conclusions

Background

Conclusion