Envoy Explores Old Dhaka Heritage

The United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent Christensen, has toured Old Dhaka with his wife, Diane, immersing himself in the quarter’s vibrant street life, Mughal-era architecture and celebrated culinary traditions. The visit offered a rare, unhurried glimpse into one of South Asia’s most densely layered historic neighbourhoods, where centuries of trade, craftsmanship and communal life continue to shape the city’s contemporary rhythm. The ambassadorial couple spoke warmly of the famed Dhaka hospitality they encountered, describing the experience as an instructive encounter with living heritage rather than a conventional diplomatic call.

According to a statement issued by the US Embassy on Thursday, 5 February, the visit began at Lalbagh Fort, an unfinished Mughal citadel dating from the seventeenth century and among Dhaka’s most recognisable monuments. Particular attention was given to the fort’s hammamkhana, or royal bathhouse, which has recently undergone careful restoration. The conservation work, supported by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, aimed to stabilise fragile masonry, restore historic water features and improve visitor access while retaining the site’s archaeological integrity. Ambassador Christensen toured the revived sections of the complex and met heritage professionals involved in the project, praising the quality of workmanship and the respect shown to the original design.

From Lalbagh Fort, the couple proceeded to Husseini Dalan, a seventeenth-century religious complex that has long served as a focal point of communal life in Old Dhaka. After spending time there, they walked through the neighbourhood’s narrow, bustling lanes, observing small workshops, traditional shopfronts and the dense pattern of everyday life that distinguishes the old city from the capital’s newer districts. The ambassador remarked that the area’s compact urban form, social vitality and continuity of craft traditions offered valuable lessons for heritage-sensitive urban regeneration in rapidly expanding cities.

In a recorded message, Ambassador Christensen noted that the site had first been nominated for support from the cultural preservation fund in 2021 by his predecessor, Earl Miller. He described the restored sections of Lalbagh Fort as a “model example” of how international partnerships can support local expertise to safeguard shared heritage. Reflecting on a previous visit, he observed that the transformation achieved within a few years demonstrated what sustained conservation investment can deliver. The ambassador also expressed appreciation for the warmth of the reception he and his wife received from residents and officials alike.

Beyond architecture, the visit highlighted Old Dhaka’s culinary heritage, renowned for recipes and techniques refined over generations. Sampling traditional dishes, the couple acknowledged the role of food in sustaining cultural memory and community identity. Embassy officials said such visits are intended to reinforce cultural ties and promote collaborative approaches to heritage preservation, tourism development and education.

Key heritage sites visited

The embassy indicated that the visit forms part of a broader effort to encourage heritage-conscious tourism and to support initiatives that protect historic sites while sustaining the livelihoods and traditions of the communities that surround them.