The maritime history of Bangladesh can be traced back from the early medieval period. The Muslim rulers of Bengal had been venturing at sea and had developed shipping and naval power. Thus, the history unveils that ours was a seafaring nation. As early as 543 BC, Bangalees established a kingdom in Sri Lanka, South India and Madras. Bengal was also charted on the oceanic navigation route during the early centuries of the Christian era. However, in the medieval period Bangalees were dominating at sea. The sea power was also dominant throughout the Mughal era. Ship building flourished at a faster pace in Bengal than any other parts of India during the Mughal period. However, during the British rule the naval prominence of Bengal gradually waned1. Nevertheless, the legacy of maritime history remains at heart of the people of this country which flourished again after the independence.....