Narayanganj is arguably the most vital commercial hub outside of Dhaka and Chattogram. Historically known as the Dundee of the East due to its booming jute trade, it sits right on the Shitalakshya River. This river is the central character in the district's story. It is the highway that brings in goods, carries away exports, and sadly, bears the brunt of industrial pollution. The riverbanks are lined with dockyards, cement factories, and salt crushing mills. The noise is constant—the clanging of metal, the horns of ships, and the shouts of laborers. It is a gritty, hardworking district that never seems to sleep. The wealth here is old and substantial, built on trade and manufacturing.
One cannot talk about Narayanganj without mentioning its rich colonial and pre-colonial history. Sonargaon, located just a short distance from the city center, was the ancient capital of Bengal. Visiting the Folk Art and Craft Museum there is a journey back in time. But the real ghost story is Panam Nagar. It is a hauntingly beautiful abandoned city of 19th-century mansions built by wealthy Hindu merchants. Walking down the single street of Panam Nagar, you see crumbling facades with European and Mughal architectural blends, empty windows, and vines reclaiming the brickwork. It is a photographer's paradise and a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of wealth and power.
Narayanganj is also a center for hosiery and knitwear. If Gazipur makes the woven shirts, Narayanganj makes the t-shirts and underwear for the world. The Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association is based here, signaling its global importance. The food culture is distinct as well, with a preference for spicy, hearty meals that fuel the workforce. The chaotic river port terminal is a sensory overload, with thousands of commuters jumping onto launches to head to the southern districts. It is a place where the water is dark with oil and the air is thick with dust, but the energy is electric. Narayanganj does not try to be pretty; it tries to be productive, and in that, it succeeds spectacularly.