Rose Garden, also known as Rose Garden Palace or Rashid Manzil, is a historical mansion and garden located in the heart of Old Dhaka, Bangladesh. Built in the late 19th century by a Hindu lower caste zamindar (landlord) Hrishikesh Das, it became famous for its extravagant parties and entertainment events. The mansion was later bought by prominent businessman Khan Bahadur Kazi Abdur Rashid and renamed Rashid Manzil.
The centrepiece of the garden is an elegant pavilion, which was used for entertainment such as musical performances, and subsequent owners later used it as a residence. The mansion features numerous apartments, adorned with elite mosaic, colorful skylights, wall ornaments, and classical marble statues in the garden. The building has been renovated over the years, while keeping its original character fully maintained.
The government of Bangladesh purchased the building in 2018 and has plans to turn it into a museum. Currently, it is closed to the public until further notice. The Rose Garden is a must-visit destination for history and architecture enthusiasts who wish to explore the grandeur of Old Dhaka’s past.
- History and Significance: The Rose Garden Palace was built in the late 19th century by a Hindu lower caste zamindar named Hrishikesh Das. It is an important site in the history of the Awami League, a liberal and social democratic political party in Bangladesh. The mansion was the birthplace of the Awami League in 1949, when East Bengali liberals and social democrats came together to form an alternative political force against the Muslim League in Pakistan. The building has been renovated by its previous owners while keeping the original character fully maintained. In 2018, the government of Bangladesh bought the building and announced plans to turn the location into a museum.
- Exhibits and Guided Tours: The Rose Garden Palace is a mansion and garden. The centrepiece of the garden is an elegant pavilion that was created as a setting for entertainment such as musical performances. The mansion has many ornately designed rooms, including a 30’-0” + 15’-0” central hall and a large dance hall measuring 45’-0” + 15’-0”. All the apartments are furnished with elite mosaic, numerous colorful skylights and wall ornaments. Some of them are adorned with foliage and animal outlines in wood, colored Belgium glass, and iron. The government plans to turn the location into a museum, which will feature exhibits on the history of the Awami League and the significance of the Rose Garden Palace.
- Photography Rules: As the place is currently closed for renovation, there are no photography rules available. However, when the museum opens, there may be restrictions on photography in certain areas to protect the exhibits and artifacts.
- Recommended Sightseeing Time: The recommended sightseeing time for the Rose Garden Palace will be available once it reopens as a museum. However, a guided tour of the mansion and garden usually takes around 1-2 hours.
- Things to Do: The Rose Garden Palace is a historic building and garden that has been recently bought by the government of Bangladesh. While the palace is currently closed for renovation and expected to open as a museum, there are still plenty of things to see and do in the surrounding area. Here are a few ideas:
- Visit Baldha Garden
- Explore Old Dhaka
- Taste Local Cuisine
- Shop for Souvenirs
How to get there: To get to Rose Garden in Dhaka, Bangladesh, visitors can take a taxi, ride-sharing service, or local buses from various parts of the city. The mansion is located in the Old Dhaka area, near the modern business district of Motijheel and the Baldha Garden in Gopibug.
Time of visit to Rose Garden Palace
| Details | |
| Location | Old Dhaka |
| Address | K.M. Das Lane, Tikatully, Dhaka |
| Hour | There is no opening hour |
| Entry Fees | No ticket price is here |
