Colonial Rail Architecture Heritage in Bangladesh:

Study of Rail Station Architecture and Construction

Muhtadin Iqbal

Lecturer, Department of Architecture

University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
e-mail: muhtadin@uap-bd.edu

Zareen Habiba Islam

Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture

University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
e-mail: zareen@uap-bd.edu

Abstract:
This paper explores the planning concepts and architectural features of the
prototypical Rail Stations built in Bengal during British Colonial Period in search of a
historical language of Colonial Rail Architecture. During the 200 year rule of the
British Empire, Railway played a vital role in the in the modernization of the society
and was the most extensive patron of a new architectural language for this region.
The rail architecture have left a major contribution to our architectural heritage
through the synthesis of architectural tradition and the elegance of the new form of
travel. The rail stations are specially a compendium of eclecticism and romanticism.
These example of colonial architecture are over looked as heritage, due to the
utilitarian nature of the structures and their nuance as symbol of colonial dominance.
The beauty and the charm of the old is being lost as the general apathy leads to
gradual demise of the structures and features of brick masonry and steel
construction which is unique to rail architecture. Through a comparative study of
stations that have not been redeveloped, essential characters of spatial planning and
construction could be identified which needs to be retained to evoke the nostalgia.
This could be referred to for conservation of the existing structures and act as
precedent for future development and new construction for the successful re
articulation of time honoured system in present context .

Key Words:
Colonial Rail Architecture, Spatial Planning and Construction, Brick Masonry and
Steel Construction