Of the old fort erected by Islam Khan, who in 1608 was appointed nawab of Bengal, and removed his capital from Rajmahal to Dacca, no vestige remains; but the jail is built on a portion of its site.
It appears never to have been completed; and when Jean Baptiste Tavernier visited Dacca (c. 1666), the nawab was residing in a temporary wooden building in its court.
The northern part, again intersected by the Lakshmia river, contains the city of Dacca, and as a rule lies well above flood-level.
Dacca is watered by a network of rivers and streams, ten of which are navigable throughout the year by native cargo boats of four tons burthen.
The weaving industry and the manufacture of fine Dacca muslins have greatly fallen off, owing to the competition of European piece goods.