Laad Bazaar

Laad Bazaar or Choodi Bazaar is a very old market popular for bangles located in Hyderabad, India. It is located on one of the four main roads that branch out from the historic Charminar.

Laad Bazaar

Laad meaning lacquer is used to make bangles, on which artificial diamonds are studded. In this 1-kilometre (0.62 mi)-long shopping strip, most of the shops sell bangles, saris, wedding related items, and imitation jewelry.

History

This market is very old, in operation since the time of the Qutb Shahis and the Nizams. It is close to landmarks such as Charminar, Makkah Masjid and Chowmahalla Palace .

Shopping
A typical shop in Laad Bazaar

Choodi bazar is the main market for bangles, it is popular for bangles, semi-precious stones, pearls, jewellery,[1] products such as silverware, Nirmal, Kalamkari paintings, bidriware, lacquer bangles studded with stones, saris and handwoven materials of silk, cotton.[2] brocade, velvet and gold embroidered fabrics, traditional Khara Dupattas, lacquer bangles and perfumes.

The narrow lane is filled with burkha-clad women, bangle shops and old buildings with wooden balconies, bargaining and haggling is part and parcel of this market. Shopkeepers employ "beckoning" tactics, placing an employee at the entrance of the store beckoning passers-by to enter their shop.[3]

Many stores are furnished with a clean, soft cotton mattress that covers the entire floor. Customers sit on the soft cotton mattress without shoes, lean against a wall with a round pillow and the sales person presents all items on the floor. All business is conducted on this floor and often other employees use the padded area in the back, as they may be sorting or sewing.

Auto rickshaws near Laad Bazaar

Auto rickshaws and cars are barred entrance from Charminar end (the preferred entrance) of the strip due to the narrow street being crowded, and only pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and scooters, and sometimes cycle-rickshaws are permitted to enter.

Southeast of Laad Bazar lie the palaces built by different Nizams including the Chowmahalla Palace.

External image
Bangles of Laad Bazaarimages. Published on Flickr

Reference list
  1. "Laad Bazaar traders cry foul". The Hindu. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  2. "Street Smart Shopping". Channel6. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  3. "Bazaars - Shopping Areas". Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011.


See also



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