Wari Housing Project in Colonial Dhaka: Problem and Prospect of Its Planning and Application (1885-1919)

As urban historians suggested that Municipalization is the characteristic of colonial administration, its role in the making of Dhaka speaks of more or less the same stories. However, the introduction of this body also brought in the game of competing interests. The constant stand-off between the municipal body and the government officials on various issues mostly related to the funding of improvement works paved in a way to forge a local interest hence a local representation vis a vis to the central authority. The first imperative of this authority was to ensure the cleanliness of the city as the jargon of 'clean' city became synonymous with the 'clean' governance. This article will try to explore the various engagement of the colonial officials and the municipality, in the process of making Wari as the first planned and healthy residential area of colonial Dhaka.