Commonly pronounced "Hoseni Dalan" , the correct spelling is Husayni Dalan (or Husseini Dalan). The structure was built by the Mughal governor of Bengal in memory of Imam Hussein (A.S.), the grandson of RasulAllah sallellahu alayhewassalam. Imam Hussein, the younger son of Imam Ali (A.S.), who chose Martyrdom rather than accepting King Yazid, a ruler who deviated from Islamic principles.

According to the agreement between Khalifa Amir ul Mumenin Ali ibn Abu Talib and Amir Mu'awiya, the khalifat was taken over by Amir Mu'awiya, with the condition that Khalifat would go back to Ali ibn Abu Talib or his descendents after the death of Mu’awiya. Accordingly, after the death of Mu'awiya In 680 AD, Husayn ibn Ali made a claim at the role of Caliph. His group had been promised that they would take over the Caliphate, when Caliph Mu'awiya died. But upon his death in 680, this promise was not kept and Yazid, the son of Mu'awiya seized power.

Husayn opposed this, and with a tiny army of about 70 men, women and children, faced Hasid ’s large army at Karbala. In this battle Imam Husayn (A.S.) was killed.

This event is very central for Shi’a today, and has gained a position in the Shi’ similar to the crucifixion of Jesus in Christianity.

The battle at Karbala is now revered in two ways. Shi’a commemorate it during the ten first days of the hijra-month Muharram, and many among them go on pilgrimage to Karbala.

For Shi’a Karbala is considered to be a bridge to Paradise, hence over the centuries many believers have had their bodies transported to Karbala to be buried.

The Husayni Dalan in Dhaka is a Shi'a holy place, and every year in the month of Muharram, the Shi'a population comes to Husayni Dalan to commemorate the tragedy of Karbala, one of the saddest of Islamic historic events.