Cox's Bazaar
Cox's Bazar is a district in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh.It is named after Cox's bazaar which is one of the world's longest natural sea beaches (120 kilometres (75 mi) including mud flats). It is located 150 kilometres (93 mi) south of Chittagong Cox's Bazar is also known by the name Panowa ("yellow flower"). Another old name was Palongkee. The modern Cox's Bazar derives its name from Captain Cox (died 1798), an army officer who served in British India.It is one of the fishing ports of Bangladesh.
The history of Cox's Bazar begins in the Mughal period. On his way to Arakan, when the Mughal Prince Shah Shuja (1616–1660) passed through the hilly terrain of the present day Cox’s
Bazar, he was attracted to the scenic and captivating beauty of the
region. He commanded his forces to camp there. A place named Dulahazra
, meaning "one thousand palanquins", still exists in the area.After the Mughals, the place came under the control of the Tipras and the Arakanese, followed by thePortugese
and then the British.
Cox's Bazar is named after Captain Hiram Cox
, an officer of the East India Company, who was assigned with the charges of the current day Cox's Bazar and its adjacent areas.
The
town of Cox's Bazar was established in 1799 as a market town to honour
Captain Cox. In 1854, Cox's Bazar was made a Sub Divisional headquarter
in Chittagong district under the Bengal Presidency of British India.After the end of British rule in 1947, Cox's Bazar remained a part of East Pakistan
under the Dominion of Pakistan
till 1971.Captain Advocate Fazlul Karim
was the first chairman after independence from the British of Cox's Bazar municipality. He established the Tamarisk Forest along the beach to draw tourism to the town and to protect the
beach from the tide. He donated many of his father-in-law's and his own
lands to establish a public library and town hall. In 1971, the wharf
was used as a naval port by the Pakistan Navy's gunboats. This and the nearby airstrip of thePakista Air Force
were the scene of intense shelling by the Indian Navy during theBangladesh Liberation War in 1971.In the year 1984, Cox's Bazar was upgraded into a District
from a Sub Division under the Chittagong Division.
The major livelihood of Cox's Bazar district is tourism. Millions of
foreign and Bangladeshi natives visit this coastal city every year. A
number of hotels, guest houses, and motels have been built in the city
and coastal region and the hospitality industry is a major employer in
the area.A number of people are involved in the fishing and collection of
seafoods and sea products. Oysters, snails, pearls and jewelry made from
shells are popular with the tourists in the seaside and city stores. A
number of people are also involved in the transportation business for
tourists. Many people of the district are farmers.In 2002, a surfing club was initiated at Cox's Bazar by a local
Bangladeshi. It has now extended to holding an annual competition
including locals and foreign tourists. This is the first surfing
initiative in Bangladesh's history.
Cox’s Bazar, mostly famous for its beautiful sea beach and the sunset, has several other attractions, including:
- Aggmeda Khyang a large Buddhist monastery, and a place revered by around 400,000 Buddhist people of Cox's Bazar Hill Tracts.
- Himchari, located about 8 km south of Cox's Bazar, is a picnic spot
famous for its waterfalls and hill top from where a splendid view of the
sea can be seen. Birds and animals roam near the road.
- Inani Beach has interesting rocks and coral bolders. It is 32 km from the main beach.
- Coxsbazar Circuit House, located 2 km from Laboni Point, has a good
viewpoint. The ocean can be seen from a height, and one can also enjoy
the view of Cox's Bazar city.
- St.Martin's Island, the only coral island in Bangladesh, is situated at 9 km south of Teknaf. It is a popular tourist spot.
- Dulhazra Safari Park the only safari park in Bangladesh which is situated at Chakaria Upazila (চকোরিয়া). It has a wide range of exotic animals such as birds, snakes, and water beasts. It is one of the most affluent safari parks of the world.
