Twist, turn, solve: Meet Rubik's Cube heaven in Chawkbazar
A decade ago, Rubik’s cubes weren’t a big craze in Dhaka, and finding a high-quality cube was a challenge for enthusiasts. Today, however, cubing has become an exciting hobby for the youth.
Picture yourself in an unfamiliar office, waiting for a job interview. As you glance around, your eyes fall on a Rubik's Cube resting on the coffee table. To calm your nerves, you pick it up and start twisting the 3-D puzzle which was completely scrambled.
The clock ticks down but you lose track of time, fully immersed in the puzzle. Then, in a rush of clarity, the final twist clicks into place – the puzzle is solved, and as a bonus, you've nearly forgotten about the interview.
That moment of solving a puzzle — the harder, the better — is what fuels the growing passion for Rubik's Cube, particularly among today's youth.
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A decade ago, Rubik's cubes weren't a big craze in Dhaka, and finding a high-quality cube was a challenge for enthusiasts. Today, however, cubing has become an exciting hobby for the youth.
This is where Shahi International – a wholesale cube shop in Old Dhaka's Chawkbazar, enters the picture, boasting a collection of over 50 categories of Rubik's cubes, making it a go-to destination for cube enthusiasts.
The colourful cube shop first opened its doors over a decade ago on the ground floor of Bismillah Tower in Chawkbazar, Dhaka. At that time, it was a modest store with limited stock – just a few Rubik's cubes neatly arranged alongside some children's toys.
Today, the shop has undergone a remarkable transformation. It's no longer on the ground floor; five years ago, it moved to the fifth floor of the same tower.
But the change wasn't just in location. The once-small shop has now evolved into a well-known department store, offering a wide range of products, far beyond just cubes and toys.
The store offers cubes in multiple layers, ranging from 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, 6×6, 7×7, and even 9×9. "The 3×3 and 2×2 cubes are the best-sellers," Md Shaheen, the store manager, told TBS.
Prices start at Tk80, with premium models going up to Tk3,000–Tk4,000. Currently, the most expensive cube in stock is priced at Tk2,600, he said.
Shahi's cube collection
Shahi International boasts an extensive range of over 50 types of Rubik's cubes, making it a top destination for cube enthusiasts. Both the store manager and customers agree that no other shop in Dhaka offers such a diverse selection. In fact, many stores across the city and even the country source their cubes from here.
For cubing enthusiasts, this is no surprise. Whether seasoned solvers or newcomers with a growing passion, visitors often find themselves immersed in the vast variety on display. One section of the store always features a dynamic, ever-changing collection of cubes.
From the classic 3x3 to mirror cubes, Megaminx, gear cubes, and golden cubes, Shahi offers it all under one roof. Casual hobbyists, competitive cubers, and bulk buyers are frequent visitors to the store.
For those on the hunt for rare cubes, Shahi has them covered. Members of the cubing community looking to expand their collection will find it to be an ideal spot.
But Shahi isn't just a haven for cube enthusiasts. The store is also known for its premium children's toys and unique home décor items. What truly sets Shahi apart is its focus on imported products, mainly from China, ensuring both variety and top-notch quality.
No retail sales
Why are the prices so high? The store manager has the answer. With over a decade of experience at Shahi International, he has witnessed its growth firsthand.
"All our products are imported, durable, and of superior quality. We don't sell retail – everything is sold in bulk. We don't sell just one or two pieces," Shaheen explained.
According to him, customers are required to purchase a minimum of 6 to 12 units of the same item. This bulk-only policy is why retailers from across the country frequently stock up at Shahi International, while individual buyers are rare.
However, some passionate collectors still shop here despite the bulk requirement.
One such buyer is Khademul Insan, whose world revolves around cubes and puzzles. Unable to resist rare finds, he willingly pays premium prices. A loyal customer for nearly a decade, he frequently visits Shahi in search of unique pieces.
"Shahi International isn't just about Rubik's cubes – it also offers rare and intricate puzzles, including interlocking puzzles and wooden puzzles, all displayed in their showcase. They carry a variety of multi-layered cubes," Khademul said.
"I've collected around five to six puzzles from them, in addition to Rubik's cubes. What sets the shop apart is their focus on children's toys – they have a fantastic selection for kids," he added.
Over the years, Khademul has built an impressive collection of cubes from Shahi, featuring models such as the Gear Barrel, Fisher Cube, Fluctuation Cube, Windmill Cube, 2x2 Mirror Block, Six-Spot Cube, Maple Leaves Skewb Plus, House Cube, Darrel Cube, Diplodocus 2x2x3, Toric Cube, Euclidean Cube, Super Square-1, 3x3x3 Block, Rob's Pyraminx, Domino Cube, Tetra Pyramid Quadrangle, Ivy Cube, Gear Pyraminx, Gear Sphere, and Gear Ball, among many others.
Interestingly, many buyers prefer purchasing single cubes from local retailers instead of directly from Shahi, where bulk buying is required.
However, these retailers source their stock from Shahi, enabling individual customers to access high-quality products at more affordable prices – without the need to buy in bulk.
Fresh cubes with every new shipment
Despite the premium prices, Shahi International's cube sales continue to soar. Each shipment sells out quickly, with new stock regularly arriving to meet the high demand.
"If there wasn't a demand, we wouldn't keep bringing in so many cubes," said store manager Shaheen.
A standout feature of Shahi International is its ever-changing inventory. Each shipment includes new and unique puzzles, carefully curated by the team. Cubes that don't sell well are returned and not reordered. Instead, the focus is on stocking the most popular designs based on customer preferences.
For younger enthusiasts, Shahi offers a special range of kid-friendly Rubik's cubes, such as the Number Rubik's Cube, Magic Cube, Fruits Cube, Cube Series, Brave Pyramid, and Snake Cube. Designed for children as young as three years old, these cubes provide a fun and engaging way to introduce them to the world of cubing.
Countrywide Supply
Rubik's cubes from Shahi International are distributed across Bangladesh, reaching cities such as Chattogram, Rajshahi, Panchagarh, and Dinajpur. Many retail shop owners in Dhaka also source their cubes directly from Shahi.
As for store hours, Shaheen said, "If customers arrive early, we open around 10am. Otherwise, we open by 11am or 11:30am. The store stays open until 7pm or 8pm."
Birth of Rubik's Cube
The story of the Rubik's Cube began in 1974 when Hungarian architect and professor Ernő Rubik set out to create a three-dimensional model to help his students understand spatial design. After six months of experimentation using wood, paper, rubber bands, and glue, he built a prototype and named it the "Magic Cube."
In 1979, the Ideal Toy Company acquired the rights to market the cube, and by 1980, it was rebranded as the "Rubik's Cube."
However, the invention of the Rubik's Cube was not without controversy. In 1970, American inventor Larry Nichols created a similar cube, leading to a legal dispute. The case eventually went to court, and in 1984, Ernő Rubik was officially recognised as the original inventor.
Between 1980 and 1983, nearly 200 million Rubik's Cubes were sold, marking an incredible global success.
Today, the Rubik's Cube is more than just a toy—it has become a tool for testing intelligence, patience, and focus. Competitive cubing tournaments have gained worldwide popularity, and this enthusiasm has also spread to Bangladesh's new generation of cubers.
