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Almost all the forts and palaces of the subcontinent have some folklore, beliefs, and mysteries throughout the ages. Those folk tales and beliefs may seem rumored and ridiculous for the civilized and modernized people, but some people still believe these irrelevant or childish things. The sense of being haunted is an inescapable feeling for people who visit these places.

Lalbagh Fort is the most popular and renowned fort and a great signature of art by the Mughal Empire in Bangladesh. It has a year-long tradition in history. Among all the things the secret tunnel in Lalbagh fort is at the top of the list of peoples’ interests. Showing more interest in restricted things is the nature of human beings. Public entry is totally forbidden in these secret tunnels as it is said that if anyone enters it, he or she can’t return anyway. There are two or three very popular mysterious myths and stories about the secret tunnel, the pond on the east side of the Lalbagh fort and ghosts. Let’s dive deep into it:

The Pond

During anti-British Sepoys’ rebellion at Merat in 1857, or the spread of it, reached far to the border of Lalbagh fort in Dhaka which contained soldiers amounted close to two hundred. The local Englishmen in Dhaka became terrified that chaos of their downfall might come sooner as Dhaka became a city of rumors. Lalbagh's troops were quiet at that time. But to dispel suspicion and panic, a group of English troops including went to the fort. Kala sepoys (native soldiers) had to take a stand facing against the suspecting British. As the armories were closed, the native sepoys could not survive. In the absence of ammunition many had to surrender. Many people were killed by coughing with bayonets. The dead bodies were dumped in the pond on the east side of the fort. People were arrested and given life imprisonment. After the incident, people in the city were subjugated to remain calm. Henceforth, the path of this fort would not be particularly used if people did not really need it. The locals heard shouting of people from the fort at night. It is said that the water of this pond was colored red for many years. The locals didn’t use the pond out of fear and disgust. Many people went missing in this pond. By the end of the British period, everything had become normal but the stories around the pond lived, to be told, to this day.

Secret Tunnel

Although there were several tunnels in the south of the fort, the main tunnel has been closed with an iron gate. There are many stories scattered around the mystery of the tunnel. It used to be said that you could go to Delhi using the tunnel route! But the reality was different. It was built as a way for the Subedars to flee freely in times of war or danger. This type of tunnel is seen in all the forts of India. Generally, the design of a tunnel for the riverbank was technically developed as it helped to flee from the fort in times of danger by using the river. Therefore, it can be said that this tunnel of Lalbagh does not end anywhere except Buriganga. However, it is true that if a person enters this mysterious tunnel, he or she would never return. Because the tunnel was so dark that the light could be extinguished, or nothing could be seen. Another reason is that there is lack of gas or oxygen.

In the British period, an investigation team wanted to know the end of this tunnel. They sent some chained dogs into the tunnel. After a few minutes they pulled chain and found only the chain. No dogs were found. After it, The British govt. sent some elephants but none of them ever returned. After these incidents, this tunnel was sealed by the British govt. It is thought that the there is some types of gases in the tunnel which could make the body-bones vanished(!) within minutes. But all of these are just guesses because nobody can be sent down the ‘rabbit hole’ to figure out what it actually keeps as its secret.

Man on a Horse

Rumor has it, many peoples saw a man on a horse entering the fort and coming out over the years. This horse man enters the prayer room. Many people have heard the sound of prayer. Usually, this ghost of horseman goes to prayer room at 3 AM though the actual prayer time is 4.30/5.00 AM depending on seasons. Some people have entered the prayer room just after seeing the man on the horse entering the room only to found nothing there but an ominous feeling of ghostly presence.

Visiting Hour and Ticket Price

Hours vary according to summer and winter, but it roughly sums up to 10 am to 1 pm and then 2 pm to 5 pm every day except Sunday. For local/Bangladeshi citizens, it takes BDT 20, for people from SAARC countries, BDT 100 and for other foreigners, its BDT 200.

As the secrets remain unsolved with a shadow of darkness lingering on it, the Lalbagh Fort is still very appealing to the mass spectators, be that local or international tourists.