About Us

An association named as the “Pakistan Cloth Merchant Association” was formed in last 25-01-69 for the eternal welfare of the cloth merchants. Its name became “Bangladesh Cloth Merchant Association (East Zone) after liberation. In 1973 the name again was changed to “Islampur Cloth Merchant Association” for the sake of preserving the interest of the local cloth merchants and a constitution was complied in last 08-06-77 to run the association smoothly.

Later on, feeling the necessity to amend, change, amplify & update the constitution of the association intensely aiming at expanding the programme of the association, increasing the number of the members and quickening the universal development of the association, the amended constitution of the association was presented in the general meeting of 15th July, 1998 and it was approved & accepted.

Old Islampur Road

Then the amended constitution was approved by the Registrar of Trade Unions of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh in 5th July, 1999 and it has been universally accepted in the general meeting of 13th January, 2009 after adding the changed address for transferring the office of the association & the trade license in Section No. – 4 and it has been published in a new format in January, 2010 after the amended constitution has been approved by the Registrar of Trade Unions of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh in 15th October, 2009.

History of Islampur

Islam Khan Chisti

Emperor Jahanagir in 1608 CE appointed Islam Khan Chisti as the the first viceroy administrator of Bengal. Immediately after his appointment he was sent to handle the insurgence that has been growing in the east. The site where he arrived in Dhaka on his ship via the Buriganga River was named after him as Islampur. Islam Khan selected Dhaka as the new capital of Bengal. He also renamed the city as "Jahangir Nagar" in honor of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Before the establishment of Jahangir Nagar even before Mughal period potters/pottery worker used to live in that place. They were experts at pottery work. These potters used to live in Patuatuli area of the city. The quality of their work was of very high standard which was exported to all over Bengal as well as Assam and Bihar. Hence the ancient name of this area was Kumartuli. This has been derived from the Bengali word for potter, kumar. A locality in that area is still known as Kumartuli. During the Mughal period there was a garden house of Zamindar Enayet Ullah in Islampur area. Later on the French bought this house from his son and established their main business center there. In 1830 this house was bought by Khaja Alimuddin. He was the father of Nowab Abdul Goni. They stated living in this house. Later this became the iconic symbol of Dhaka, the famous Ahsan Monjil.

Old Ahsan Manzil

Present Ahsan Manzil

In 1840 Nowab Adbul Goni started the leather and salt industry. The products were imported to England and other countries through the Calcutta port. Before this period the weavers there were famous for muslin saree. Later Nawab Sir Salimullah established "Jamdani Village".

Nawab Sir Salimullah

Jamdani saree was exported to many countries through the Bangla Bandor, which is now called Bangla Bazar. For hundreds of years the muslin, pottery industry, leather, salt and fabric industry has bloomed in this area - Islampur. It has contributed significantly in the economic development by exporting various materials to many countries. As a consequence Islampur is now famous for the clothing industry. Islampur imports Bangladeshi fabric to many countries of the world. When we visit other countries and see the manufactured garments in the shopping mall which carries the name Bangladesh, it makes us proud. Each year the government receives a substantial amount of Income Tax from Islampur which is significant in the development of our country. Therefore there is a need for a unified and supportive approach towards the improvement and expansion of this industry. I thank you all.

Haji Md. Farhad Rana
Assistant Press Secretary
Islampur Cloth Merchant Association