Famous Bazaars of Rawalpindi

Aerial View of Rawalpindi | Google.com

Rawalpindi is a big city with an urban population of about 2 million and a rural population of about 1.5 million.  The total population of other areas, Kashmir, Northern areas, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Islamabad are also centrally connected to it. There are several markets for this purpose.  So the whole city is a bazaar. The best thing about bazaars of Rawalpindi is that you never know from where it started and where it ended, because every bazaar is connected to another. Overcrowded with people and stalls in narrow streets, and jammed with traffic in the wider area. If you are visiting for the first any of the bazaar, your chances of getting lost are always high. No matter what you buy from these bazaars, you'll get a headache for free, until you are comfortable with the rush of Rawalpindi. There are several bazaars in the city, but a few are relatively famous. 

Raja Bazaar

Rawalpindi was started by settling in the area of ​​Raja Bazaar (Fawara Chowk, Dingi Khoi) of Rawal Tribe.  Later the population spread and people from other areas also came and settled in the vicinity. To meet the needs of the population, a bazaar was set up from Fawara Chowk to Dingi Khoi.  It was a city of Rawal Rajputs, so it was called Raja Bazaar, or maybe it was a big bazaar or maybe it has residences of Rajas of Kashmir that's why it was called Raja Bazar. 

A crammed Raja bazaar

Now there are many bazaars around Raja Bazaar like Mochi Bazaar, Qasai Gali, Mughal Sarai, Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market), Fruit Mandi (fruit market), Ganjmandi, Nankari Bazaar, Bazaar Dalgaran, Urdu Bazaar, Bazaar Taloran, Bara Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Boharr Bazaar, Landa Bazaar, City Saddar Road, etc. All the necessities of life in this limited area of ​​Raja Bazaar.  Items are available at bargain prices. Retail and wholesale shops in Raja Bazaar have separate items. Raja Bazaar also has wholesale and retail shops for dried fruits, and of every other good. 

Moti Bazaar

Streets of Moti Bazaar | Dawn

Just half a kilometer east of Raja Bazaar is this magnificent bazaar of cosmetics, ready-made garments and wedding dresses. There are walkways around this bazaar.  It is said that a Hindu named Moti Lal laid the foundation of this bazaar. He built an ashram building in the middle of Moti Bazaar in 1901 so that the divorced women could stay in this ashram.  This ashram was a refuge for such women.  Throughout the day, they sewed embroidered hammocks, made sweaty sweaters and pastures in the birds of prey.  In the evening, they sell the cloths in the alley of the ashram. Thus, these women and their families met their need by selling. The ashram was completed with the financial help of the people. Their names are also engraved on a plaque that is still installed in the building. But in 1961, the ashram was turned into a school. Now it's a high school. The ashram building is still standing in its original condition, but now it is a school. 

Ashram in Moti Bazaar | twitter

In Moti Bazaar in 1901 there were only 2 shops in the main street. Now there are many shops in this bazaar and several sub-bazaars inside the bazaar.  Paris Bazaar, Mina Bazaar, Chowk Moti Bazaar, Anarkali Bazaar, Gali No. 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. have also become.

Sarafa Bazar 

Sarafa Bazaar | Google

At the northeast of Raja Bazaar and north of Moti Bazaar there is Sarafa Bazaar.  There are luxurious jewelry shops of gold, silver, diamonds, etc., where the artisans make jewelry by sculpting metals in a beautiful way. A part of Sarafa Bazaar is now on Murree Road near Waris Khan and Central Hospital (Benazir Bhutto Hospital).  In Sarafa Bazaar, there is a government shop for weighing and checking which also gives free receipts for weighing and authenticity as if to take the suspicion of fraud or authenticity to the truth and certainty.

Bara Bazaar

Bara Bazaar  is located to the south-east of Raja Bazaar. From here, one can get smuggled items, utensils, electric picks and cups etc.

Bara Bazaar | Google

Bohar Bazaar

Bohar Bazaar is located to the north and east of Moti Bazaar. Lal Haveli is also located here. In this bazaar, standard quality medicines of Homeopathic, Allopathy, Greek medicine etc. are available in lower prices. Now a part of this bazaar has been extended towards College Road.

Laal Haveli | Dawn

Commercial Center Satellite Town

It is a Rawalpindi Saddar Cantt style bazaar located in Satellite Town. Here are numerous shops of crockery, comics, stitches, stitched clothes, boxes, fruit, ice cream and licks etc.

Tench Bhatta Bazaar

It is a Raja Bazaar-like bazaar located south of Rawalpindi Cantt.  It is said to be the longest bazaar in Asia, with a length of about 4 km.  Service banks and post office facilities are also available in this market.

Tench Bhata Bazaar | Google Maps

Saddar Bazaar

Saddar Bazaar is located in Rawalpindi Cantt.  The streets and shops of Saddar Bazaar are very open and spacious. Some shops are such bigger that 50 to 60 men work there. The quality is also better than Raja Bazaar.  Ready-made clothes, cosmetics, shoes, leather goods, weapons and books are readily available from here. The Saddar bazaar is considered to be a relatively rich and military market.  The Saddar bazaar also has a large market for computers, electronics and mobile phones, as well as offices for GPOs, railway stations and various banks.

Metro Station at Sadar Bazaar | Pakiholic