Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum: Exploring the Past and Present

Author

Reads 6.2K

Beautiful architecture of Folk Art Museum in Sonargaon, Bangladesh with perfect pond reflection.
Credit: pexels.com, Beautiful architecture of Folk Art Museum in Sonargaon, Bangladesh with perfect pond reflection.

The Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum is a treasure trove of Bangladesh's monetary history. It's located within the Bangladesh Bank headquarters in Dhaka.

The museum showcases a vast collection of banknotes, coins, and other monetary artifacts that date back to the 19th century. You can see the evolution of Bangladesh's currency over the years.

The museum's exhibits also highlight the country's struggle for independence and its impact on the economy. This is evident in the display of rare banknotes and coins from the British colonial era.

Visitors can explore the museum's galleries and learn about the history of Bangladesh's currency and banking system.

Here's an interesting read: Museum of the National Bank of Belgium

History of the Museum

The Taka Museum has a fascinating history that spans over a decade. It was first established as a Currency Museum in 2009 at the 3rd floor of the main building of Bangladesh Bank at Motijheel in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The museum was initially not open to the general public, but its importance and necessity soon became apparent. Atiur Rahman, the former governor of Bangladesh Bank, took the initiative to establish a full-fledged currency museum equipped with modern digital facilities, technology, architecture, and art.

The museum was later relocated to the Bangladesh Bank Training Academy in Mirpur, Dhaka on 5 October 2013 by Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. From then on, the museum is open to all.

Taka Museum (Jadughar)

Credit: youtube.com, Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum

The Taka Museum, also known as Jadughar, is a must-visit attraction in Dhaka. It's located on the second floor of the Bangladesh Bank Training Academy in Mirpur, Dhaka District, Bangladesh.

The museum was established in 2013, but its roots go back to 2009 when the Currency Museum was opened in the main building of Bangladesh Bank. The Taka Museum is essentially an extension and modernization of the original museum.

You'll find a fascinating display of coins and paper notes from ancient Bengal to modern times. The museum has a unique money tree on the left side wall of the entrance, made from a steel structure decorated with copies of coins.

The second floor is divided into two galleries. The first gallery showcases the evolutionary history of money in the Indian subcontinent, with exhibits like stamped silver coins used from the 4th century BC to the 2nd century BC.

Gallery No. 2 features coins from different countries, including China, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Bahrain, and New Zealand. The designs are truly bizarre, and it's amusing to imagine printing your picture on a lakh taka note for just 50 takas.

After exploring the museum, you can visit the souvenir shop, where you can find commemorative coins and notes, including special editions like the Silver Jubilee of Bangladesh Bank and the 90th Anniversary of Rebel Poetry of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Modern Developments

Credit: youtube.com, Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum

The Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum has undergone significant modern developments. Its modern version was inaugurated in 2013.

The museum's inauguration was a notable event, with the foundation stone laid by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 27 April 2013. The museum was officially inaugurated by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, on 5 October 2013.

Visitors can easily access the museum, thanks to the city's main form of transport, the rickshaw.

For another approach, see: Bank of America Free Museum Orlando

Museum Design and Architecture

The Bangladesh Bank Taka Museum's exterior design is a fascinating blend of creativity and history. The museum's design is relatively small but rather creative.

One notable feature is the steel structured 'money tree' on the entrance wall, which has replicas of coins in ancient Bengali and the present day carved into it.

The terracotta mural on the right side of the entrance is a series of transactions from ancient eras to modern times.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the size of the 1000 taka note in Bangladesh?

The 1000 taka note in Bangladesh measures 160×70mm. It's printed on durable paper with synthetic fibre for added strength.

Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.