A Kids’ Guide to Dhaka

A Kids’ Guide to Dhaka is a fun and easy-to-read guide, perfect for native English speakers and children learning English as a second or foreign language. It helps kids practise reading and comprehension, learn new words, and explore exciting facts about Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced writer and ESL teacher, this guide is great for kids, homeschoolers, teachers, and curious young travellers interested in learning about Dhaka, Bangladesh.

An introduction to Dhaka

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, a country in South Asia. It’s one of the most crowded and lively cities in the world! Dhaka is located beside a river called the Buriganga. It’s full of colourful rickshaws, tasty food, and busy streets.

Facts about Dhaka

• Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
• Language: Bengali (also called Bangla)
• Flag: Green with a red circle in the middle
• National animal: Royal Bengal Tiger

What’s Dhaka famous for?

Dhaka is known for its long and exciting history and culture. It’s famous for making beautiful clothes, especially saris – long, colourful dresses worn by many women. 

The city is full of amazing old buildings like forts, palaces, and temples that tell stories from the past. It’s also a lively place for Bangladeshi art, food, and festivals that happen all year round. 

Dhaka is even called the “Rickshaw Capital of the World”; you’ll see thousands of brightly painted rickshaws on the streets every day!

Cool places to visit in Dhaka

• Lalbagh Fort – A beautiful pink fort from the 1600s, with gardens and secret rooms.
  
• Ahsan Manzil – Also called the Pink Palace, this old royal home is now a museum.
  
• Dhakeshwari Temple – A Hindu temple in Dhaka known as the National Temple.
  
• Bangladesh National Museum – Learn about the history, animals, and culture of Bangladesh.
  
• Hatirjheel Lake – A peaceful place to walk or ride a boat in the middle of the city.

Find out more things to do in Dhaka here: The Top 10 Things To Do in Dhaka, Bangladesh

What’s on the menu?

Dhaka’s food is spicy, tasty, and full of flavour!

• Biriyani – A famous rice dish with meat, spices, and sometimes boiled eggs.
• Shingara – Crunchy triangle snacks filled with veggies or meat, similar to a samosa
• Mishti Doi – Sweet yoghurt made from milk and sugar, often eaten as dessert.
• Fuchka (or Puchka) – Crispy shells filled with spicy water, chickpeas, and mashed potato, similar to a pani puri.

What do people wear?

Many people in Dhaka wear shalwar kameez (a long tunic with trousers) or saris. These clothes can be very colourful, especially for weddings and festivals. 

In everyday life, many people also wear jeans, t-shirts, or shirts.

Fun facts about Dhaka for kids

• Dhaka is called the “Rickshaw Capital of the World” with over half a million rickshaws!
  
• Bengali is the seventh most spoken language in the world.
  
• The name “Dhaka” may come from the Dhakeshwari Temple.
  
• The Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka every February celebrates books and the Bengali language.
  
• Dhaka’s Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House) is a world-famous building designed by American architect Louis Kahn.
  
• People often eat with their right hand instead of using cutlery.

Vocabulary list

• Capital – The main city where a country’s leaders work
• Rickshaw – A small three-wheeled vehicle pulled by a person or a bike
• Textile – Cloth or fabric used to make clothes
• Spices – Tasty powders or seeds added to food for flavour
• Dessert – A sweet food eaten after a meal
• Festival – A special celebration, often with food, clothes, and music
• Tunic – A long, loose shirt
• Parliament – A group of people who make laws for a country
• Museum – A place where people can look at old or special things
• Temple – A place where people go to pray

Comprehension questions

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