Hazari Estate

Hazari Estate is a private Estate owned by the Hazari family of Chandanaish Upazila, Chittagong. It is based on Land properties, Commercial Space, Shopping Centre, Housing estates and some Industrial places which are the resources of the Estate.

History

Hazari family has owned the estate for more than three hundred years. From the period of Mughal Empire this area is controlled by this family as the centre of their domain.

In 1666, some Mughal Army Generals invaded Chittagong under Mughal Imperial command against the Arakaneese. After the invasion they settled there to ensure the security and ruling of the territory. One General among them was Lakhsman Singh Hazari. His original name was Lakhsman Singh who was from a Suryavanshi Rajput ruling family of Rajputana under Mughal territory. He was a General of Hazari Rank (commander of two thousand sowar or soldiers) and this designation title was added with his name in time.

After dividing the territory, Lakhsman Singh Hazari was selected to control a territory of South Chittagong, it was a territory starting from few miles before of Dohazari to nearly the middle of Cox's Bazar. Lakhsman Singh Hazari and other rulers after him were addressed as Maharaj Babu of this territory from Mughal period.

Their title was taken away by the British Government (like other ruling families with Mughal Title)after the war of Plassey when Bengal became a British territory. At this time Hazari Family lost their Mughal territory and they became simply Zamindar. Though they lost their domain and autonomy they were addressed as Maharaj Babu till 1940. Monohor Singh Hazari was the last member who was addressed as their old title Maharaj babu.

During British period, their Zamindari was known as Hazari Estate. After the demolishing of Zamindari system Hazari Estate started to deal with the business sectors related to their land properties. The Estate made a great influence for the development of the area, as a result, Dohazari is now the most influencial business centre of South Chittagong.

The Estate owns many structures and some large Shopping Centre's , among them Hazari Tower,is the second largest Shopping Centre of Chittagong district and division and largest in the southern territory outside Chittagong City.

Hazari Estate or the Hazari family has a great influence on the Socio-economic development and Politics of Dohazari (which is the main business centre of South Chittagong) and some other territories of Southern Chittagong.