RAMU, AN ENIGMA

Bakkhali River, Ramu, Coxs' Bazar

 

Ramu, possibly a rather ancient town a dozen or so kilometres from Cox Bazar, is claimed by some as an early landing place for Arab traders in the years following the death of the Holy Prophet.

Bamboo Rafts at Bakkhali River, Ramu, Coxs' Bazar

The lands of this eastern part of Bangladesh have, for most of recorded history, been held by the Burmese people of Arakan, until finally seized by the British. But the possibility is clear that some adventurous traders seeking alternative safe routes into China, perhaps avoiding the taxes no doubt levied on such trade by those who help the entry point to the Brahmaputra and Teesta routes for trade with China, could well have landed and explored such alternatives.

The Bakkhali River is wide, and penetrates deep into the Arakanese hill lands. In one old document, a fort is mentioned and it isn’t hard to spot likely locations for such a development on the banks of the river close to the modern market town.

Carambola Chillies

The town has a large population of indigenous people, especially Arakanese, Rohingas and others, as well as the descendants of the Bengali settlers who began to occupy the territories under British rule.

A history of what may well be an ancient settlement, well hidden from the pirates who notoriously frequented these coasts from 17^th Century onwards, and protected by some kind of riverside fortification where, like so many parts of the world throughout history, local inhabitants could take refuge from raiding parties, remains to be researched and written. It could make interesting reading!