Dhaka, May 24 -- Lalbagh Fort, a 17th-century Mughal architectural wonder, is not just a relic of the past, but a living witness to Bangladesh's layered history of ambition, tragedy, and resilience.

Construction of Lalbagh Fort began in 1678 under the direction of Prince Muhammad Azam, son of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, during his brief tenure as the governor of Bengal.

Designed to be a grand citadel rivaling the forts of Agra or Delhi, the fort symbolized Mughal power and vision. However, Azam was recalled to Delhi before the fort was completed, and the task was handed over to Shaista Khan, another Mughal subahdar of Bengal.

The project came to a standstill when Shaista Khan's beloved daughter, Bibi Pari (Lady Fairy), died within the fo...