ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on delineating the changes in the key characteristics of the richest section of Dhaka and their relationships with the rest of the society over the years and understands the factors that contributed to these changes. In 1947, that is, at the time of Pakistan's establishment, there was not even one Bengali Muslim in the list of the richest people of Dhaka city. It was either Bengali Hindus or Marwaris who constituted this layer. In 1985, according to the interviews of the richest, 94 per cent owned land in Dhaka city. According to selected respondents, the average total non-urban land owned by the richest people of Dhaka city came to around 25 acres per person. In addition, land speculation was in itself a highly lucrative proposition and in high demand for expansion of old and commencement of new commercial and industrial projects.
