Kinari Bazaar’s history traces back to the 17th century, when it was part of the larger Chandni Chowk market built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It originated as part of the area’s jewellery and precious stones market, which was known as Dariba Kalan. Dariba Kalan derives its name from the Persian Dur-e be-baha, which translates as “unparalleled pearl”, while suffix Kalan means big. There was also a smaller street nearby, known as Dariba Khurd or Chhota Dariba, both Khurd and Chhota meaning “small”. Royal ladies would visit here to shop for precious stones and gold and silver jewellery. This street is today known as Kinari Bazaar.. The street witnessed the bloody massacre of Delhi in March 1739, ordered by the Persian invader Nadir Shah, when hundreds of innocent civilians and soldiers were killed and the gold shops were looted.
Dariba Kalan is mentioned in the popular song Kajra Re from the hit Hindi film Bunty aur Babli
Over time, the market’s focus shifted from jewellery to elaborate decorative items like fancy laces, borders, and tassels—the “kinari” from which it gets its name.
After the 1857 revolt, British authorities displaced Muslim inhabitants from the area and encouraged Hindu merchants to move in, a demographic shift that was largely completed after the 1947 partition when many Muslims migrated to Pakistan.
Today, Kinari Bazaar is a bustling wholesale market famous for fabrics embroidered with zari, as well as gota, kinari, and other decorative embellishments used for bridal clothing embellishments, decorative fabrics, and festive goods, attracting shoppers from across India and even from abroad.
Do you have any such historic Bazaar in your city? Share in the comments below
@TravellerG . Hope you like the hustle and bustle of this ancient market in Delhi
