Dhaka College in New Market, Dhaka

Established in 1835 as an English Seminary School, Dhaka College holds a significant place as one of Bangladesh's oldest and most important higher-secondary educational institutions. The college was founded by James Taylor Wise, the civil surgeon of Dhaka, who formed a local Committee of Public Instruction with the assistance of district magistrate Grant. Constructed with public donations on the premises of an English factory, the school gained college status on 18th July 1841, receiving official approval. The foundation stone for the college was laid on 20th November 1841, and the construction was completed in 1846 with the assistance of the Bishop of Calcutta. The initial graduating class comprised students from various backgrounds, including Muslim, Hindu, and foreign students from Armenia and Portugal.

Over the years, the college underwent several relocations. In 1873, it moved to a larger building east of Victoria Park to accommodate physics and chemistry laboratories. In 1908, the college shifted to Curzon Hall, while its science departments were housed in the current chemistry building of the University of Dhaka. In 1921, Dhaka College relocated to the old High Court Building when the University of Dhaka was established there. During the Second World War, it was temporarily relocated to Siddique Bazar in Purana Dhaka. Finally, in 1955, the college found its permanent campus on Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi, near Dhaka New Market.