Heera Mandi (Urdu and Punjabi: ہیرا منڈی, lit. ‘Diamond Market’) is a neighborhood and bazaar located in the Walled City of Lahore, Pakistan. It is specifically known as the red light district of Lahore.
Etymology:Originally, it was named ‘Hira Singh Di Mandi’, meaning Hira Singh’s food grain market. Later, this transformed into the modern name Heera Mandi.The term “Heera” means diamond in Urdu and is thought to describe the dancing girls of the area. However, in reality, the area’s name is traditionally ascribed to Heera Singh, son of Dhian Singh Dogra, who was the Prime Minister during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign.
Historical Background:Established by the Mughals, Heera Mandi was a residential neighborhood for attendants and servants of the royal court and the Emperor. It was referred to as “Shahi Mohalla” or “Royal Neighbourhood” due to its proximity to the Lahore Fort.During the Mughal period, tawaifs (courtesans) associated with the royal court made Heera Mandi their home. These tawaifs were trained in Indian classical music, Kathak, mujra dance, poetry, and etiquette. They entertained guests with their exquisite art in the kothas (dancing houses) and even performed for the Mughal royal family.The market was originally the center of the city’s tawaif culture for Lahore’s elite during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Transformation into a Red Light District:After British colonization, Heera Mandi gradually turned into a red light district, mainly for prostitution.The area, once known for its artistic and cultural heritage, became associated with a different kind of entertainment.
Modern Times:Today, Heera Mandi remains a place with a complex history, where the echoes of its artistic past blend with the realities of its present.Recently, a period drama television series titled “Heeramandi” was created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, exploring the lives of tawaifs in the red-light district during the Indian independence movement against the British Raj
