Ludhiana: Old city bazaars retain name but have moved with times

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 16

Not only is Ludhiana a well-known industrial hub but it also hosts a variety of old marketplaces, with interesting names, located in the city centre. Though the marketplaces’ names have been retained, with the development activities that have taken place in these markets over the years, they are no longer as vibrant as they once were.

These markets include, Saaban Bazaar, Kambal Wala Bazaar, Kitaban Wala Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Kesar Ganj Mandi, Namak Bazaar, Satta Bazaar, Sarafan Bazaar, Meena Bazaar, Talaab Bazaar, Bijli Market, Gur Mandi, Baans Bazar, Ghaas Mandi, and so on.

These marketplaces have changed with the times, but there are still a few that, like their names, specialise in specific products.

Consider Kambal Bazaar, which is known for merchants selling a wide variety of blankets. Blankets here are sold by the kilo. “Being an industrial city, factory owners buy a lot of blankets to gift to their employees during the winter, on Diwali, and other occasions. I’ve been here for four decades and it’s always been like this,” said Jeevan Jain, a merchant.

Former area councillor Parminder Mehta said many of these markets have been around since before the Partition. “Sarafan and Meena Bazaars are famed for jewellery, and around six-seven decades ago, the rich and famous used to visit these to watch nautch girls perform as seen in the film Heeramandi. We have also heard similar stories from our parents. The Satta Bazaar used to host auctions of animals and other belongings. Everything has changed; the old proprietors have left, selling their shops and buildings. However, the names of these historic markets remain,” Mehta added.

Harjit Singh, who works at a salt shop, stated that many types of salts are available at Namak Mandi, including black, white and rock salt. “This is pure salt, available in brick and powdered form. We sell it to several Kirana stores,” he added.

Trunks are still offered in some five shops at the Trunk Bazaar, which is unusual. “Trunks are not very fashionable these days but in the past, parents used to keep their daughters’ trousseau in them,” a shopkeeper said.

Ironically, most of the newer generations are totally unaware of these bazaars in the interior parts of the city.