New Market
Dhaka
New Market, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is the largest commercial shopping market in the country. Established in 1954, it was designed to serve the residential neighborhoods of University of Dhaka, Azimpur, Ramna, and Dhanmondi. The market is notable for its distinctive triangular layout with high arched entry gates on three sides and originally housed 440 shops surrounding a central triangular lawn. Over the decades, New Market has expanded to multiple buildings and sidewalk vendors, offering a diverse range of goods including crockeries, kitchenware, groceries, and various household items. It was a popular shopping and recreational destination from the 1950s through the early 1990s, with iconic spots like the Novelty ice-cream shop attracting young visitors. The market complex was further extended in the 1980s with additional blocks such as New Super Market, Bonolata, Chandrima, and Gausia markets, each hosting over a thousand shops. A central park area was converted into a mosque with shops beneath it, reflecting the evolving nature of the site. New Market remains a bustling hub of commerce and culture in Dhaka, offering visitors a vibrant shopping experience steeped in local history and tradition.
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Tip: The best time to visit New Market is during weekdays and early mornings to avoid heavy crowds and enjoy a more relaxed shopping experience. Visitors are advised to explore the multiple blocks to find a wide variety of goods and to bargain respectfully with vendors. While entry is free, purchasing items in bulk or during off-peak hours may offer better deals. Since the market is large and busy, wearing comfortable footwear and keeping belongings secure is recommended. Planning your visit outside major holidays can help avoid the busiest times.
Interesting facts
- •New Market was established in 1954 and remains the largest commercial shopping market in Bangladesh.
- •The market’s unique triangular design features high arched gates on three sides and originally included a central triangular lawn.
- •Novelty ice-cream shop, located in New Market, was a popular hangout spot for young people from the 1950s to the 1990s.
- •In the 1980s, New Market expanded with additional blocks like New Super Market and Bonolata, each housing over a thousand shops.
- •A park inside the market was converted into a mosque on the first floor with sixty new shops beneath it.
History
Construction of New Market began in 1952 on 35 acres of land during the tenure of Nurul Amin as Chief Minister of East Bengal and was completed in 1954.
It was established to meet the shopping needs of nearby residential areas such as University of Dhaka and Dhanmondi.
From the 1950s to the early 1990s, New Market was the premier shopping and recreational destination in Dhaka.
In the 1980s, the market expanded with the addition of several new blocks including New Super Market and Bonolata, increasing its capacity significantly.
Over time, parts of the market area, including a central park, were repurposed, such as the conversion of a park into a mosque with shops underneath, demonstrating the market's adaptive evolution within the urban landscape.