Chowk Bazaar

Chawk Bazaar is a well known bazaar in Lalbagh, Old Dhaka, Bangladesh. It dates back to the Mughal period.

Chowk Bazaar was one of the most famous business and social meeting centres of Dhaka in the Mughal period. Even after 400 years it is still as famous as before. It is one of Dhaka's oldest town markets and it formed in the place where other old markets once were. King Maan Singh protested for the country on behalf of Mugal kingdom. In 1602 he transferred the head office in Bawal to the present Central Prison and also the Mughal Durgo, that's how Chowk Bazaar formed.

In 1702, Murshid Kuli Kha named the market "Padosha" or "Badshahi Bazar". From 1733 to 1734, his son-in-law, Murshid Kuli Kha II, renovated the market. It is thought to have started in Munsil times and for Mursid Kuli Kha the market was established.

In the 18th century, Chowk Bazaar was a famous social and business centre. Along with the Historical significance, the geological settlement of this zone also contributed to its massive activities, expansion, population increase, and popularity. The great Buriganga river was just at the South of Chak-Bazaar, which contributed easy water transport and thus made trade more frequent and efficient. Sometimes this Chak-Bazaar was known as Chak-Port. Chak-Bazaar was located in such a way that 10 different other places were connected with Chak-Bazaar by straight roads. However the area was not so good-looking.

From 1823 to 1825, Dhaka community's two men, Dhaka's Magistrate Dos and Walters wanted Chowk Bazaar in the right way and improve the nearby roads condition. For this Dos suggested for the Nawabpur Road to widen as it was linked with Chowk Bazaar. The road was very narrow and filled with cottages but there was no improvement by the end of the 18th century. Dhaka Community did not give permission but Walter got permission later. He removed all illegal markets in Chowk Bazaar and made a 460 ft length, 4 ft high and 1/2 ft thick wall surrounding it. In front of Chowk Bazaar there was Moriom's Canon 'Kaman'. It was in Shoari Ghat before. Not only that he also widen the way from Chowk Bazaar to Islampur.

In 1840, James Taylor said Chowk Bazaar is in the west side of the country and alongside the river. It is a huge square surrounded by markets. Here selling takes place. Various products and materials were used to sold in Chowk bazaar. Fruits, vegetables, toys, sweets and other small products were used to sold and supplied in this Bazaar. The Chowk Bazaar Business centre is situated in a place which was known as " Nakhash". The "Nakhash" is an Arabic word, which is known to be the place where animals and slaves were bought and sold. It was believed that there was a time when slaves were sold, supplied, and bought in an open market and there was low wall and suitable place for driving. In 1869 there was questioning about renovating. In local newspaper they mentioned about renovating but shopkeepers were against it and said there was no need for it.

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Wikipedia