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Chowk Bazaar

Coordinates: 23°43′01″N 90°23′47″E / 23.7170°N 90.3963°E / 23.7170; 90.3963
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General view of the market place, 1885. Picture shows the Bibi Mariam Cannon

Chawk Bazaar is a sprawling wholesale market area in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with hundreds of shops, market stalls and vendors. It dates to the 17th Century CE when under Mughal rule.[1][2] The bazaar is located in the Chowkbazar Thana part of Old Dhaka.

Beside the market square is Chawk Mosque, built by Shaista Khan in 1676. It is 94 feet long, 80 feet wide and has three domes.

Chawk Bazar Iftar

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Shahi jilapi, popular for its large size.
Traditional Bengali iftar items

Chawk Bazar has a great significance in Bengali culture during Ramadan. While its popularity as a business hub has diminished over the years, Chawk Bazaar is the busiest iftar market. One of the most iconic, and often derided, items is the "boro baper polay khay."[3] Other iconic dishes includes Shahi jilapi, popularly known as "Sunflower Jalebis",[4] Beguni, Piyaju, Keema Paratha, Beauty lassi, Koel roast, Dim chop, Alur chop, Puran Dhaka Haleem, Hajir Biryani, Chickpeas, fruits, Pithas and Mishtis (Bengali sweets) like Sandesh, Roshogolla, Chomchom, Rasmalai, Bakarkhani, Pantua, Chennar Jilapi, etc. In 2023 UNESCO added iftar to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Chawk Bazar, the heart of the old city". Dhaka Calling: A Monthly Tourist Guide. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  2. ^ Mould, David (13 June 2019). "Spotlight on Bangladesh: Exploring Old Dhaka". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  3. ^ "5 iconic iftar bazaars around the world". 19 April 2022.
  4. ^ "The History Behind Dhaka's Viral 'Sunflower Jalebi'". Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  5. ^ "UNESCO adds Iftar to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list". United News of Bangladesh. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2024.

23°43′01″N 90°23′47″E / 23.7170°N 90.3963°E / 23.7170; 90.3963