The first word of Islam is 'Iqra' or 'Read'. This word was uttered by Gabriel (AS) in the cave of Hira in Mecca in 610 AD. That divine sound was the first inspiration for Muslims to pursue knowledge and science. Over time, this single sound wave has made Muslims passionate about knowledge and scientific research.
No other religion or doctrine in the world has given so much importance to the pursuit of knowledge as Islam has. There are many quotes in the Quran and Hadith on the importance and greatness of knowledge. Almighty Allah taught His beloved Prophet (PBUH) the supplication for increasing knowledge. Almighty Allah says, ‘And say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Surah: Taha, verse: 114)
To encourage every Muslim man and woman to acquire knowledge, the Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘The acquisition of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.’ (Ibn Majah, Hadith: 224)
The Prophet (PBUH) instilled the spirit of acquiring knowledge among Muslims in such a way that young, old, male and female were all inspired to acquire knowledge. As a result, they would not hesitate to travel a month’s journey from Medina to distant Syria just for a single Hadith. They used to travel from Andalusia or Spain to Khorasan for knowledge.
In order to gain knowledge from the Prophet (PBUH), one companion would do worldly work in turn, while another would gain knowledge from the Prophet (PBUH) and pass it on to the other. Abu Hurairah (RA) would spend his days in one corner of the Prophet's Mosque without eating or drinking to gain knowledge from the Prophet (PBUH). In this way, as a result of the pursuit of knowledge, a nation immersed in the darkness of ignorance became a wonder nation in knowledge and science that the whole world could emulate.
Muslims have made and are making amazing contributions to all worldly sciences, including the interpretation of the Quran, Hadith and its interpretation, literature and rhetoric, linguistics, jurisprudence, and other religious philosophies. The role of Muslims in all fields of meteorology, physics, medicine, astronomy, law, geology, chemistry, mathematics, philosophy, history and sociology, political science, art and literature is unforgettable.
Their progress in every branch of knowledge was loud and successful.
In surgery, Abul Qasim Zahrawi's 'At-Tasrif', in eye diseases and their relief, Abul Qasim Mawsili's 'Al Muntakhab fi Ilazil Uyun', in chemistry, Jabir bin Hayyan's 'Kitabur Rahmat', 'Kitabut-Tajmi', 'Sundukul Hikma' and 'Risalah fil Kimiya', in scientist Razi's 'Kitabul Hajar', 'Kitabul Aksir', 'Kitabud-Tadbir', Ibn Abdul Malik Al-Khawarizmi Al-Kasir's 'Aynus-Sanah', in astronomy, Al-Battani's 'Kitabul Jiz', Abu Mashar Al-Jafar's 'Jiz Abi Mashar', in great scientist Al-Biruni's 'Qanune Masudi', in algebra, Omar Khayyam's 'Kitabul Jabr', Al-Karkhir ‘Al-Kafi fil Hisab’, ‘Hisabul Jabri wal Muqabalah’ by Musa al-Khwarizmi, known for his algebra, ‘Al Qanun Fit-Tib’ by Abu Ali Ibn Sina in medicine, ‘Firdausul Hikmah’ by Ali Ibn Rabban, ‘Al Kitabul Mansuri’, ‘Al Kitabul Hawi’, ‘Al Judari wal Hasbah’ by scientists, ‘Al Kitabul Al-Farawi’ in political science, ‘Siasat’ and ‘Ara’ by Farabi, ‘Muqaddamah’ by Ibn Khaldun, ‘Jamharat-un-Nasab’ by Kalbi in history, ‘Al Magazi’ by Waqidi, ‘Futuhul Buldan’ by Balachjuri, ‘Tarikhul Rusul wal-Muluk’ by Imam Tabari, ‘Miratuz-Zaman’ by Al Masudi, known as the Herodata of Arabia, ‘Tarikhul Islam', Imam Ibn Asakir's 'History of Medina and Damascus', Spanish scholar Ibn Khaldun's 'History of Ibn Khaldun', and hundreds of thousands of Muslim books continue to bear the bright legacy of Muslims in knowledge and science. These books, like diamonds, have become the guiding principles of modern civilization.
After these books of knowledge were translated from Arabic to Latin and English, new horizons of knowledge and scientific pursuits were opened. (Contribution of Muslims to Science, Muhammad Nurul Amin)
Therefore, Muslims are the first and true beacon of world civilization. Behind the progress and dazzling excellence of today's modern world lies the indomitable pursuit of knowledge and relentless pursuit of knowledge of Muslim scholars. Many researchers in the West and Europe have frankly admitted this. For example, the famous orientalist Carlyle wrote, 'The Arabs were desert-dwelling Bedouins. They were neglected for ages. Then, when a prophet appeared among them, they became the center of knowledge and science. After scarcity, they gained abundance. After being neglected, they achieved a prestigious place in the world. Within a century, they had enlightened the entire world with their knowledge and science. [Ar-Rasulul Mu'allim wa Asalibuhu Fittalim; Shaykh Abdul Fattah, 11 (commentary)]
The Lalbagh Fort (Bengali: লালবাগ কেল্লা) , romanized: Lālbāg Kēllā) is a historic fort situated in the old city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It's name is derived from its neighborhood Lalbagh, which means Red Garden. The term Lalbagh refers to reddish and pinkish hues in the Mughal architecture. The original fort was called Fort Aurangabad. Its construction was started by Prince Muhammad Azam Shah, who was the son of Emperor Aurangzeb and briefly a future Mughal emperor himself. After the prince was recalled by his father, the fort's construction was overseen by Shaista Khan, the Subahdar of Mughal Bengal. The death of Shaista Khan's daughter Pari Bibi (Fairy Lady) resulted in a halt to the construction process, apparently due to Shaista Khan's superstition that the fort brought bad omen. Pari Bibi was buried inside the fort.
Lalbagh Fort was built as the official residence of the governor of the Mughal province of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The complex includes the Mughal governor's house, the tomb of Pari Bibi and a mosque. It is covered by lawns, fountains and water channels. Its two south gates were previously grand arches. The original grand complex covered the governor's house and the two archways. The tomb of Pari Bibi was later added. Lalbagh Fort was modelled as a miniature version of great Mughal forts like the Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. During the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, Mughal Bengal became the economic engine of the empire. Emperor Aurangzeb called Bengal the Paradise of Nations. Dhaka grew into an imperial city with one of the richest elites in the Mughal Empire, including members of the imperial family. Mughal artillery guarded the fort. Once located beside the Buriganga River, the river has retreated from the vicinity of the fort. The fort was depicted in European paintings during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, Lalbagh Fort is one of the most visited sites in Dhaka. Several pieces of artillery are kept inside the fort. The Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation is funding a restoration project for parts of the fort.Lalbagh Fort is one of the most recognized symbols of Mughal rule in Bengal.
An aerial view of Lalbagh Fort
History
South gate of the fort painted by Johan Zoffany in 1787
The Mughal prince Muhammad Azam Shah, third son of Aurangzeb started the work of the fort in 1678 during his vice-royalty in Bengal. He stayed in Bengal for 15 months. The fort remained incomplete when he was called away by his father Aurangzeb.
Shaista Khan was the new subahdar of Dhaka in that time, and he did not complete the fort. In 1684, the daughter of Shaista Khan named Iran Dukht Pari Bibi died there. After her death, he started to think the fort as unlucky and left the structure incomplete. Among the three major parts of Lalbagh Fort, one is the tomb of Bibi Pari.
After Shaista Khan left Dhaka, it lost its popularity. The main cause was that the capital was moved from Dhaka to Murshidabad. After the end of the royal Mughal period, the fort became abandoned. In 1844, the area acquired its name as Lalbagh, replacing Aurangabad, and the fort became Lalbagh Fort.
Architecture
Tilework inside one of the buildings of Lalbagh Fort
For long the fort was considered to be a combination of three buildings (the mosque, the tomb of Bibi Pari and the Diwan-i-Aam), with two gateways and a portion of the partly damaged fortification wall. Recent excavations carried out by the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh have revealed the existence of other structures.
The southern fortification wall has a huge bastion in the southwestern corner. On the north of the south fortification wall were the utility buildings, stable, administration block, and its western part accommodated a beautiful roof-garden with arrangements for fountains and a water reservoir. The residential part was located on the east of the west fortification wall, mainly to the southwest of the mosque.
The fortification wall on the south had five bastions at regular intervals two stories in height, and the western wall had two bastions; the biggest one is near the main southern gate. The bastions had a tunnel.
The central area of the fort is occupied by three buildings—the Diwan-i-Aam and the hammam on its east, the mosque on the west and the Tomb of Pari Bibi in between the two—in one line, but not at an equal distance. A water channel with fountains at regular intervals connects the three buildings from east to west and north to south.
Diwan-i-Aam
The Mughal governor's residence (Diwan-i-Aam) and its attached hammam
Diwan-i-Aam is a two-story residence of the Mughal governor of Bengal located on the east side of the complex. A single-story hammam is attached on its west. The hammam portion has an underground room for boiling water. A long partition wall runs along the western facade of the hammam.
The building is situated about 39 metres (128 ft) to the west of the tank, running from north to south. The external measurements of the building are 32.47 by 8.18 m (107 by 27 ft).
There are living quarters on each level of two stories and a main central hallway connecting them. There is a Hammamkhana (bathhouse) in the southern part of the building, which is one of the seventh Hammamkhana still existing in ruins in the heritage of Bangladesh.
Recent excavations (1994–2009) show that there was a special room below the room of Hammamkhana, where archaeologists found the arrangements for heating water, supplying the hot water as well as cool water to the Hammamkhana through the terracotta pipes which were specially manufactured for such purpose. The discovery of black spots in the underground room proved that fire had been used for the purpose of heating the water for the Hammamkhana. There was also a toilet room by the side of Hammamkhana.
All the buildings along with the arrangements of Hammamkhana clearly show that it was very much in use by the Subadar of Bengal and that Subadar was Shaista Khan. From the report of the Governor of English Factory, it was learned that Shaista Khan used to live in this room and some Europeans were kept in custody here.
A water tank
A square-shaped water tank (71.63 m (235 ft) on each side) is placed to the east of the Diwan-i-Aam. There are four corner stairs to descend into the tank.
Hammamkhana of Lalbagh Fort
Tomb of Bibi Pari
The tomb of Bibi Pari, the daughter of Shaista Khan, is in the middle of the complex. There is a central square room. It contains the remains of Pori Bibi, covered by a false octagonal dome and wrapped by a brass plate.The entire inner wall is covered with white marble. Eight rooms surround the central one. There is another small grave in the southeastern corner room.
Lalbagh Fort Mosque
The mosque has three domes and is relatively small for a large site, with a water tank for ablutions in front. The mosque has an oblong plan of 20.34 m × 10.21 m (66 ft 9 in × 33 ft 6 in) externally and 16.36 m × 6.15 m (53 ft 8 in × 20 ft 2 in) internally.
Mosque
Stories
View from the Buriganga River in 1799. Painting by Robert Home
From the time of construction till date, various myths have revolved around the fort. Among all the historical stories and debates, it is widely believed that Lalbagh Fort stands as a monument of the unfulfilled dreams of Prince Muhammad Azam Shah, beloved son of Emperor Aurangzeb. In the mid-17th century, he was serving as the Viceroy of Bengal and began the construction of the impressive Lalbagh Fort complex.
Therefore, the popular stories about the fort begin. Before the construction was finished, Prince Azam was called back to his father to assist in the war against the Marathas. Legend says after the Mughal prince departed, Shaista Khan continued with building the project, but upon the untimely death of his much-loved daughter Iran-Dukht, warmly known as Pari Bibi, the construction was stopped. Bibi was engaged to Prince Azam at the time of her death.
There are also legends and debates about the identity of Pari Bibi. Few researchers claim she was a nine-year-old Ahom princess. Mir Jumals Ahom's expedition brought a war adjoining the Garo hills. He took the daughter of Ahom Raja to compel him to execute the previous peace treaty. Later, the emperor made her convert to Islam and married her off to Prince Azam. However, overshadowing all the debates, people now believe that she was the loving daughter of Nawab Shaista Khan.
Research
Lalbagh Fort Ground
Archeologists discovered the continuity of the main fort walls eastward below Shaishta Khan Road. They opined that the present area of Qilla represents half the portion as planned by Prince Azam Khan. The gate at the southeast of the fort (adjacent to Lalbagh Shahi Masjid) as per requirement fits properly as the Central Gate in the middle of Fort. The other half to the east—likely planned for administrative purposes (Girde Qilla area)—were incomplete or extinct long ago.
There are some tunnels in the fort which are now sealed. It is said that two of the tunnels lead to now ruined Zinzira Fort which was on the other side of the Buriganga River. Another passage was made as a maze. It is claimed that many defeated sepoys (soldiers) of the Sepoy Revolution of 1857 tried to run away through the passage and lost their lives. The British soldiers who chased them to arrest also did not return. To investigate the claim, British researchers sent an elephant and dogs to the tunnel but they did not return either. After that, the tunnels were sealed.
The discovery was made 16 years ago, in 2009. Archaeologists found eight bones while digging in Ethiopia, East Africa. Foot bones. Not exactly hominid bones, but close to them. Whose bones those were, it was unclear for so long. More than a decade and a half later, the fog has cleared. New information about the history of human evolution has also been found.
At the time of the bones, no modern humans (Homo sapiens) had emerged, let alone any species of the genus Homo. Modern humans came to Earth only three hundred thousand years ago. In the evolutionary lineage, the genus Homo appeared 2.5-3 million years ago. But these bones from Ethiopia are even older than that. The bones were found in a layer of sedimentary rock that is about 3.4 million years old. At that time, some primitive species of monkeys roamed the earth.
However, these eight bones found in Ethiopia 16 years ago do not belong to Australopithecus afarensis. In 2009, a team of archaeologists led by Arizona State University paleontologist Yohannes Haile-Selassie found these bones. The discovery was officially announced in 2012. However, they are very different from the bone samples of Australopithecus afarensis that have been found in the past. Which makes researchers even more worried.
The Pyramids of Giza have watched the Nile valley for more than 4,500 years — royal tombs, engineering triumphs, and the world’s most enduring monuments. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Before you plan a visit, learn more about the history of the Pyramids of Giza.
c. 2670 BC: Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara: the dawn of stone monumental building.
c. 2630 BC: Snefru’s Red Pyramid (Dashur): the first true smooth-sided pyramid.
c. 2560 BC:Great Pyramid of Khufucompleted (the high-point of Giza’s building era).
c. 2530 BC: Pyramid of Khafre finished; the Great Sphinx carved nearby.
c. 2510 BC: Pyramid of Menkaure completed; royal pyramid building declines in scale.
820 AD: Caliph al-Ma’mun tunnels into the Great Pyramid in search of treasure.
1196 AD: Attempted demolition by Sultan Al-Aziz; site survives with minor damage.
18th–19th centuries: European explorers map and record the site systematically.
1979: Giza becomes part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing; modern conservation begins.
21st century: Non-invasive scanning (muon imaging, radar) reveals hidden voids and new research directions.
History of the Pyramids of Giza explained
Origins of pyramid building
Egypt’s pyramid tradition began with mastaba tombs, later evolving into step pyramids like Djoser’s at Saqqara. By the 4th Dynasty, builders perfected smooth-sided pyramids, paving the way for Giza. These monuments reflected not just architectural skill but also deep religious beliefs in kingship and the afterlife.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu
Completed around 2560 BC, Khufu’s pyramid is the largest ever built. Standing originally at 146.6 meters, it used over 2 million limestone blocks. Inside lie corridors, chambers, and hidden spaces still being studied today. This masterpiece defined Egypt’s golden age of pyramid construction.
The Pyramid of Khafre and the Sphinx
Khafre’s pyramid looks taller than Khufu’s thanks to its elevated base and surviving limestone casing. It is also linked to the Great Sphinx — the massive lion-bodied, human-headed guardian carved from bedrock. Together, they form the classic Giza silhouette.
Menkaure’s pyramid and smaller complexes
The last of the main pyramids, Menkaure’s structure is smaller but finely built. Excavations revealed associated temples, causeways, and queens’ pyramids, showing that Giza was more than three tombs — it was an entire ceremonial landscape.
Life around the pyramids
Archaeology shows workers were not slaves but skilled laborers. Excavations uncovered housing, bakeries, and medical care, proving pyramid building was a national project, not forced toil. This insight reshapes how we understand life in ancient Egypt.
Rediscoveries and modern research
From medieval explorers tunneling inside to today’s muon scans and radar imaging, each era added new knowledge. Modern technology continues to reveal hidden chambers and refine our understanding of how the pyramids were built.
Construction of the Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza were feats of planning, logistics, and human effort. Archaeologists now believe most limestone was quarried on-site, with granite hauled from Aswan. Workers moved blocks on sledges over wet sand or ramps, and the nearby Nile may have helped transport heavy stone. Far from being slave labor, evidence shows a well-fed, organized workforce of thousands. Their knowledge of astronomy, geometry, and engineering ensured the pyramids aligned with cardinal points and stood the test of time.
Pharaoh Thutmose IV restored the Sphinx, leaving a stone tablet between its paws as proof.
Khufu’s solar boats, buried beside his pyramid, reflect ancient beliefs in a pharaoh’s eternal journey.
Medieval rulers tried dismantling the pyramids but quickly abandoned the task.
Modern scans using cosmic rays revealed hidden voids inside the Great Pyramid.
Discoveries and age-old mysteries continue to keep Giza in the global spotlight.
The Pyramids of Giza today
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the pyramids remain Egypt’s most visited attraction. They are the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, welcoming millions each year. Visitors describe the experience as awe-inspiring, though often busy and hot — reviews suggest arriving early or booking a guided tour for context and convenience. Beyond daytime visits, sound-and-light shows bring history to life under the night sky, making the pyramids as enchanting today as they were mysterious in antiquity.
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