F.B. Bradley-Birt’s The Romance of an Eastern Capital is a captivating historical narrative of ancient Dhaka. It traces the city's journey from the glorious days of Bikrampur and Sonargaon to its rise and fall under Mughal and British rule.
The book vividly portrays Dhaka's trade, politics, and its golden era under Nawab Shaista Khan along the banks of the Buriganga. Bradley-Birt beautifully captures the city's transformation as Mughal power waned and the British East India Company took over. It is not just dry history, but a deeply emotional tribute to Dhaka's lost grandeur and heritage.