The city of Dhaka is a widely diversified multi-cultural metropolitan space. With mesmerizing jaw-dropping colors of life, Dhaka is globally famous for some of its oldest shopping locations. Locals, as well as the Bangladeshis living abroad, visit these places for shopping on various special occasions and festivities. The multiplicity of prices, options, brands, and values of commodities attract people in general. The existence of some of these markets can be traced back to time immemorial; even before the birth of this country. Let us look around some of the oldest shopping locations in Dhaka.       

Eastern plaza

Located just beside the Hatirpool Bazar, Eastern Plaza stands in all the glory of being one of the oldest shopping complexes in Dhaka. This was the first-ever modern shopping mall established in Bangladesh during the 80s. Eastern Plaza has some of the most renowned local brand shops of sarees, shirting, as well as suiting. “Neel Anchal”, the most renowned saree shop in Bangladesh with hundreds of branches at present, started its journey in Eastern Plaza. This place is henceforth, one of the top priorities in our list of oldest shopping locations in Dhaka.      

Dhaka New Market

Dhaka’s New Market is the most famous, and the oldest, shopping place in all of Bangladesh. Aged 66 years, this shopping complex was built almost 20 years before our country’s independence. To cater to the needs of people living in and around Azimpur, University of Dhaka, Lalbagh, and Dhanmondi, this market was established in 1954. The construction work of this place began in 1952 on 32 acres of land. This market is the witness of multiple important events leading to the birth of Bangladesh, from the language movement to the liberation war. Dhaka New Market is not merely a market, but a place historically enumerating with heritage. The place is presently known as DNCC Dhaka New Market and with wide-open spaces and shops, this place is still the first choice of shopping for many people in Bangladesh.

Eastern Mollika, Chandni Chowk Market/Gausia Market and Dhanmondi Hawkers Market

Previously, Eastern Mollika, Chandni Chowk Market/Gausia Market and Dhanmondi Hawkers Market were extended blocks of Dhaka New Market. But with the passage of time and changes in infrastructural plans of urbanization, these two markets have been individually established. Both the markets at present are filled with hundreds of clothing stores and clothing products. You can get anything here, from old-school fashioned clothing to the modern-day styles and get-ups. Bengali people, literally from all walks of life and from all the corners of Bangladesh come here for shopping. This place is also a favorite clothing spot for the tourists and foreigners who are looking for items of clothing at a very cheap rate.

Gulistan and Bangabazar area markets

The versatile markets in the Gulistan and Bangabazar areas, especially the Bangabandhu Stadium Market, trace back to 1954-55. The stadium market is widely famous for its sports accessories, electronics, and furniture shops. There are 400 shops in this market. Also, the street shops in and around Baitul Mukarram, the national mosque of Bangladesh, are also famous. The Gulistan Underground Market is the first-ever underground market in Bangladesh, established in the mid-80s. The other street markets of Gulistan are also famous and trace back to those times of the mid-80s and 90s when people used to come here to do the majority of their shopping.        

Uttara Mascot Plaza

Established in the mid-90s, Uttara Mascot Plaza is the first-ever modern shopping complex for the people living in Uttara. Uttara is in the northernmost part of metropolitan Dhaka, which is quite far away from the central and densely populated zones of Dhaka. Therefore Uttara Mascot Plaza brought attraction for the middle-class demography living in that place. This shopping complex was the center of attraction and a significant place of commute for the people living in that locality. This place is not very far away from the airport zone, so the people living around the airport area come here for shopping. At present, there are many shopping complexes in Uttara, but Mascot Plaza is still a place for the people who rely upon quality products and original brand commodities. 

So here is the list of our top oldest shopping locations in Dhaka. Have you visited all of them? Do let us know your feelings and experiences of these places in the comment section below.