new owners populated and developed the area. The first proposal was to change the name from Ramkrishnapur to Allahrasulpur. In subsequent meetings this proposal did not get sufficient support. The second proposal was Naya Paltan. Immediately, this proposal was seconded and supported by all. The most respected person of the blind lane was Professor Dr. Abdul Halim. Originally the lane was six feet wide. One fine morning in the year of 1953/54 Dr. Halim sat together with the local land lords and took a resolution to widen the lane from 6 feet to 18 feet. In the next day he grounded all his five giant trees along his property line and released 6 feet of his side. Then all other land lords followed him. That is how the lane of Naya Paltan came into existence. At that time 18 feet wide lane was simply a dream. Notable of the old residents after the partition of India at that period were: Alhajj Abdul Halim Chowdhury (Councillor of the then Municipality) Mr. Hasan Ali Sheth Mr. K.B.M.A Rashid Engineer Golam Mohammad Engineer Zahurul Haque Engineer Abdul Halim Engineer Moslehuddin Engineer Mortuza Ali of Engineers Court Dr. Joynal Abedin M.A. Shikdar Mr. M.A. Samad Nurun Nabi Gazi Moulvi Idris Chowdhury Mr shamsud zoha foiyaz Mr. abul kashem Mr. Ansar Ali Mr. Helal Uddin Mr. Fazlul Haque Mr. Khandakar Mohiuddin Mr. Syed Abdul Majid Mr. Shamsher Ali Khan Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Mr. Abdul Wase Chowdhury Mr. Haris Ur Rahman Chowdhury Mr. Gazi Harun Ur Rashid Mr. Munshi Shakhawat and few more. Purana Paltan Under British rule, the Government maintained a regiment of soldiers here and hence it got the name Purana Paltan. In this spot the Army had a firing range. During 1956 there were fewer buildings in Purana Paltan and it was surrounded by villages on the east and north, and a vast empty space to the south. Now there's hardly any open place. This is an old Dhaka Landmark. At present it is famous for publishing houses. Recently it got popularity for large number of travel agency being shifted to Purana Paltan. References External links Paltan Area Map National Mosque of Bangladesh Populated places in Dhaka Division Thanas of Dhaka