Short answers, pulled from the story.
Mir Murad claimed to see a vision of Imam Hussain erecting a house of mourning. This spiritual directive eventually birthed the Hussaini Dalan in the heart of Dhaka. Mir Murad held the Darogahship of the Nawarrah Mehals and managed public buildings under Sultan Muhammad Azam.
The Hussaini Dalan was erected during the Subedari of Prince Shah Shuja who ruled Bengal from 1639 to 1647 and again from 1652 to 1660. Historical accounts from 1839 by Taylor attribute the building to Mir Murad during this period. The exact date of its initial construction remains a subject of historical debate.
Naib Nazim Nusrat Jung rebuilt the Imambara in its present form in 1823. This reconstruction occurred after significant repairs were undertaken in 1807 and 1810. The building faced another catastrophic challenge in 1897 when a massive earthquake struck the region.
The main building occupies a rectangular footprint of approximately 0.65 Bighas or 871 square meters. The southern pond covers an area of 1.01 Bighas or 1,377 square meters. The pond is positioned directly to the south of the building and touches its walls.
The mourning period extends from the 1st day of Muharram to the 10th day of the Islamic month of Safar. This period culminates in Ashura when a large procession parades through the streets of old Dhaka. The building serves as the main Hussainiya of Dhaka for these ten-day religious gatherings.