Moving with the world is all well and good, but it should be while preserving your culture. And so with the modernizing cities, we should protect our landmarks that rekindle nostalgia. Therefore, we have listed five old bazaars of Pakistan where you can look into olden times while standing in the 21st century.
1. Qissa Khawani Bazaar – Peshawar
Qissa Khwani Bazaar stands at the heart of Peshawer. Due to the massacre by the British government back in 1930, the British merchants started calling it the “Bazar of Storytellers.” What sustains its essence is that even today, people get together to tell each other stories over a cup of tea. Other than that, Qissa Khawani Bazar is a well-established marketplace, which sells almost all things of daily life.
2. Empress Market – Karachi
Empress Market is located in Sadar, Karachi. This market was constructed when Queen Victoria was the Empress of India. And therefore, the marketplace became known as Empress Market. Even though it is ancient, the marketplace is still known for being very crowded. Karachiites again go shopping there also though Sadar is one of the most congested areas of the city.
Raja Bazaar – Rawalpindi
Raja Bazar is the most ancient marketplace in Rawalpindi, one of the bigger cities of Pakistan. The bazaar is located in the middle of the town. It is known to have a lot of products available at suitable prices for the public. The shops are most famous for wholesale and retailer shops which sell at low prices.
Due to being connected on all sides by other markets, the whole area is always busy with people who either come to shop or to window shop. Mostly when people need to get to Raja Bazar, they take a taxi or the trusty rickshaw to navigate the crushing crowd.
Anarkali – Lahore
Anarkali bazaar of Lahore is one of the oldest marketplaces of Pakistan. The exciting place has a few attributes that make it the bazaar it is today. It is most famous for its mixture of both modern and traditional items like clothes, handicrafts, all traditional jewelry like bangles, and several accessories.
The bazaar has a background story that most people have never heard of. The name of the bazaar was, in fact, initially the name of an unfortunate slave girl locked up after having an affair with the emperor’s son, Saleem. The marketplace has two halves; one is called Old Anarkali, which like its name, shows the old concepts of the culture of Pakistan, and New Anarkali portrays the modern part of Pakistan.
Zainab Market – Karachi
Zainab Market is known to be the most affordable marketplace in the city. One can find almost everything ranging from handicrafts to clothes and jewelry as well, all at affordable prices. Located in the central area of Karachi, the shopkeepers keep up the traditional with the mainstream. They sell conventional brands alongside popular ones. Haggling for price at a 24/7 market, this marketplace portrays Pakistani tradition and culture in the true essence.
Experience the British Raj seeped into Empress Market’s architecture or the storytelling nature of the Peshawaris and the British merchants infused in the market streets. Remember that a slave girl who died for love or enjoy customers bargaining for the price, these old bazaars undoubtedly provide a plethora of stories. Just visit these five old bazaars and dive into nostalgia.
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