by Muhammad Ali Khwaja (also some online sources)
The Heera Mandi (Diamond Market), also called Shahi Mohallah (Royal Neighborhood), is a famous red-light/prostitution district of the old Taxali Gate of Lahore, Pakistan.
The Heera Mandi was first called the 'Shahi Mohallah' or Royal Neighborhood in the 17th century. It was called that because many princes and nobles of the Mughal dynasty used to come there. At that time there were only 'Tawaifs' (dancing girls) and courtesans there. They were there to amuse the elite people. During the rule of the Sikh king Ranjit Singh, sexual prostitution also became common.Many brothels were opened there. Ranjit Singh renamed this place 'Heera Mandi'. It was named for an officer, Heera Singh, who lived there. Some historians think that he named it for the beautiful girls (prostitutes) who lived there. They were like precious diamonds.
When the British Raj came to power in this region, Christian missionaries asked for the Heera Mandi to be moved away. They thought the activities there were 'sinful'. The British government tried to move it, but they were forced to move it back because people did not like this idea. Later, after the 1870s, the British also added some special brothels there for British soldiers only. This area was made famous in Rudyard Kipling's novel 'Kim' (printed in 1901).
Near this famed Heera Mandi in Lahore, stands the famous 'Barood Khana haveli' (arsenal mansion), built some 230 years ago for a general of the Sikh army of Ranjit Singh--reputedly, an artillery general who used to keep his lethal arsenal here! It is now owned by a family of Kashmiri origins, which has produced some known people of Lahore such as late Mian Amiruddin, who used to be Lord Mayor of Lahore city; and Mian Aminuddin, an ex-Governor of the Punjab province, and Mian Yusuf Salahuddin, the present owner of this old 'haveli', who is a socialite and party-giver. Many famous and renowned politicians, civil and military officers, and foreigners, come each year to this 'haveli' to enjoy the hospitality especially during the festival of 'Basant' (traditional spring kite-flying). It is a well-tended building and lived in by Mian Yusuf. It is a lively place, day and night, and a far cry from its 'explosive' origins. . .
The Heera Mandi (Diamond Market), also called Shahi Mohallah (Royal Neighborhood), is a famous red-light/prostitution district of the old Taxali Gate of Lahore, Pakistan.
The Heera Mandi was first called the 'Shahi Mohallah' or Royal Neighborhood in the 17th century. It was called that because many princes and nobles of the Mughal dynasty used to come there. At that time there were only 'Tawaifs' (dancing girls) and courtesans there. They were there to amuse the elite people. During the rule of the Sikh king Ranjit Singh, sexual prostitution also became common.Many brothels were opened there. Ranjit Singh renamed this place 'Heera Mandi'. It was named for an officer, Heera Singh, who lived there. Some historians think that he named it for the beautiful girls (prostitutes) who lived there. They were like precious diamonds.
When the British Raj came to power in this region, Christian missionaries asked for the Heera Mandi to be moved away. They thought the activities there were 'sinful'. The British government tried to move it, but they were forced to move it back because people did not like this idea. Later, after the 1870s, the British also added some special brothels there for British soldiers only. This area was made famous in Rudyard Kipling's novel 'Kim' (printed in 1901).
Near this famed Heera Mandi in Lahore, stands the famous 'Barood Khana haveli' (arsenal mansion), built some 230 years ago for a general of the Sikh army of Ranjit Singh--reputedly, an artillery general who used to keep his lethal arsenal here! It is now owned by a family of Kashmiri origins, which has produced some known people of Lahore such as late Mian Amiruddin, who used to be Lord Mayor of Lahore city; and Mian Aminuddin, an ex-Governor of the Punjab province, and Mian Yusuf Salahuddin, the present owner of this old 'haveli', who is a socialite and party-giver. Many famous and renowned politicians, civil and military officers, and foreigners, come each year to this 'haveli' to enjoy the hospitality especially during the festival of 'Basant' (traditional spring kite-flying). It is a well-tended building and lived in by Mian Yusuf. It is a lively place, day and night, and a far cry from its 'explosive' origins. . .
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