Kawran Bazar, Wholesale market in central Dhaka, Bangladesh
Kawran Bazar is a wholesale market in central Dhaka with separate sections for vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, grains, electronics, and poultry. The different zones sit side by side, allowing retailers and traders from across the city to source a wide range of goods in a single stop.
The market traces its origin to a trading post established by a Marwari merchant in the 17th century. Over time, the site grew into one of the largest commercial hubs in Bangladesh, especially after independence when Dhaka expanded rapidly.
Kawran Bazar is one of those places where the daily trading life of Dhaka is most visible and direct. Traders from across Bangladesh come here to buy and resell goods, and the constant back-and-forth between sellers and buyers gives the place a raw commercial energy you can feel just walking through it.
The market is most active in the early morning hours when fresh goods arrive, so that is the best time to get a full sense of how it works. Wear comfortable shoes, as the paths between stalls can be narrow and the ground wet or slippery.
Although the market mainly serves traders, individual buyers are welcome too and can often find goods at prices much lower than in a regular shop. The fish section stands out in particular because it carries freshwater species sourced directly from rivers and ponds across Bangladesh.
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