On the first day of Ramadan, Dhaka’s historic Chawk Bazar has come alive with a bustling market for iftar items.
From Thursday afternoon, shopkeepers have displayed an array of traditional delicacies, filling the air with enticing aromas that draw buyers from near and far.
Located on Chawk Bazar Circular Road in Old Dhaka, this iftar market has a history spanning nearly 400 years. People from various parts of the city flock here to enjoy the authentic taste of Chawk Bazar’s specialties.
Popular items include chicken kababs, Morog Musallam, Boti kebab, Tikka kebab, Kofta, chicken kathi, Shammi kebab, Shiker bhari kebab, Sutki kebab, quail roast, pigeon roast, jalebi, Shahi jalebi, nimki, samucha, halwa, haleem, doi bora, as well as beverages like Saudi Labang, Kashmiri sharbat, and Irani sharbat, totaling nearly 100 varieties.
Historically, Chawk Bazar was transformed into a modern marketplace in 1702 by Dhaka’s Dewan Murshid Quli Khan. A well in front of the Shahi Mosque became a focal point where tables and chairs were arranged for selling iftar items.
According to Nazir Hossain’s book Legendary Dhaka, by 1857 the market had already become a vibrant hub, offering a variety of Mughlai dishes and other iftar delicacies during Ramadan.
Today, Chawk Bazar continues to be a cultural and culinary landmark, attracting visitors eager to experience its traditional flavors and festive atmosphere during the holy month.