Panam City is an ancient place in Bangladesh that’s famous for its archaeological remains. It’s located in the Sonargaon Upazila of Narayanganj District. You’ll be amazed to learn that the structures here are more than many years old. It’s known as the oldest capital of Bengal and was a part of the ancient silk road connecting the Bengal delta to China and Central Asia.

In the 15th century, it was the capital of Bengal under the ruler Isa Khan, and it used to be an important hub for trade and politics. The architecture of Sonargaon reflects different time periods like the Sultanate, Mughal, and colonial eras. This historic city, which is close to the current capital Dhaka, has various Mughal monuments like the Sonakanda River Fort, the Panch Pir Mazar Shrine, and mosques like Ibrahim’s and Abdul Hamid’s. You can also find British colonial-style buildings here, such as the Ananda Mohan Piddar House and other houses along the streets. 

For travelers journeying along the long Grand Trunk Road, which stretches 2,500 kilometers from Peshawar in the Hindu Kush region, Sonargaon used to mark the end of the route. However, the site faces various threats like flooding, vandalism, unauthorized occupation, and illegal development.

How to Go There?

You can travel to Panam City from anywhere in Dhaka by road using a taxi, three-wheeler, or bus. First, take a bus to Mograpara bus stand in Sonargaon from Dhaka. The bus fare ranges from 25 to 45 rupees. From Mograpara, you can reach Panam City by taking a rickshaw or autorickshaw for 10 to 20 rupees. Alternatively, if tourists prefer, they can walk to Panam City in about 5 minutes after visiting the Sonargaon Folk and Handicraft Museum.