Heera Mandi

Heera Mandi(UrduandPunjabi:ہیرا منڈی,lit.'Diamond Market'), sometimes referred to asShahi Mohallah("Royal Neighbourhood"),   is a neighbourhood andbazaarlocated in theWalled City of Lahore.
It is specifically known as thered light districtofLahore,Pakistan.It is believed to have been originally named 'Hira Singh Di Mandi', meaning Hira Singh's food grain market. Later, this transformed to the modern name Heera Mandi as it evolved into a ‘red light district’ for the city.
Heera Mandi is located inside theWalled City of Lahore, near theTaxali Gate,and south of theBadshahi Mosque.Heeramandi, originally a song and dance community rooted in the 'tawaif' culture during the Mughal period, first evolved into a hotspot for prostitution during theAhmad Shah Durrani(1747- 1772) invasions of India. Following British colonization, Heera Mandi gradually transformed into a red-light district.
Hira Singh Dogra, a prime minister of the Punjab, during the reign ofMaharaja Ranjit Singhthought that Shahi Mohalla in the heart of the city may be used as an  economic hub, similar to a bazaar, in addition to housingtawaifs.He established a food grains market in the neighborhood which first became familiar as ‘Hira Singh di Mandi’ (Hira Singh's market). Heera means diamond in Urdu and is thought to describe the dancing girls of the area. But in fact,the area's name is traditionally ascribed to Heera Singh, son of Dhian Singh Dogra. Dhian Singh was the Prime Minister during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign.
Established during the Mughal Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries, this place gained prominence during the reign of the third Mughal emperor,Akbar.
During the Mughal period, women fromAfghanistanandUzbekistanwere brought to Heera Mandi to entertain the royal court.
An area south of the Lahore Fort was developed as a residential neighborhood for attendants and servants of the royal court and the Emperor. It later came to be known as Shahi Mohalla, which translates to "royal neighborhood" in English. The area became home to tawaifs, who were professional entertainers associated with the royal court.The market remained the centre of the city'stawaif(courtesan) culture for the Lahore'sMughal eraelite during the 15th,  16th and 17th centuries.The name "Heera Mandi" was chosen in honor of Heera Singh, an officer who resided in that area.
Following invasions byAhmad Shah Abdaliwho is also calledAhmad Shah Durrani, Heera Mandi became known for prostitution. Abdali began placing the enslaved women he captured during his campaigns in Heeramandi for his army's use.
MaharajaRanjit Singhreinstated various Mughal royal rituals in Lahore, including the culture of tawaifs and their court performances, the tawaifs continued to receive royal patronage from the court. Brothels run by Afghans in Heeramandi were shut down.
British colonial rule solidified Heera Mandi's reputation as a hub for prostitution. Within the market, women and khwajasara (transgenders) offered traditional and classical dances. From the British colonial period till recent past, it remained a centre of prostitution in Lahore.ManyHijras, members of Pakistan's transgender community, frequent the area and are involved in the area's dance culture.After the British colonization, although morebrothelsand prostitutes were operating in Heera mandi, there were still tawaif performing activities in the area, Heera mandi retained its reputation as a centre of the performing arts. Tawaif's patrons were no longer emperors and nobles but wealthy men from the city. This is when Heera mandi earned its nickname “Bazaar-e-Husn” (Market of Beauty).
After thepartition of India, young and attractive tawaifs from Heera Mandi became the first choice ofPakistanfilmmakers. Girls from the Heeramandi joined theLollywoodindustry and gained much fame and wealth. Some of the most skilled tawaifs performed as backup dancers in early Pakistani films.In Heeramandi and surrounding areas, there were many dance and music classrooms, which closed as the tawaifs and musicians left. Eventually, only prostitutes came and stayed at Heeramandi to engage in prostitution.
During the Mughal period, tawaifs of Heeramandi were trained in Indian classical music,Kathakandmujradance, as well as poetry and etiquette. These tawaif had art teachers or anUstadto guide them in their skills. They would practice music and dance on the balcony. These tawaifs entertained guests with exquisite art in kotha and provided performing arts to their guests. Some of tawaifs also entered the palace to perform for the Mughal royal family.
Thebrothelhouses were further developed by the British in the oldAnarkali Bazaarfor the recreation and enjoyment of theBritishsoldiers during theBritish Raj. After that, these were shifted toLohari Gateand then toTaxali Gate.
The place is also considered as a symbol for the city ofLahoreduring the Mughal period. Over time, during the day, Heera Mandi is much like any otherPakistanibazaarand is known for its good food, wide range ofKhussa(traditional Mughal footwear), and shops for musical instruments and dance. At night, the 'brothels above the shops' were opened. Sometimes the words 'Heera Mandi' themselves are considered to be offensive during informal conversations.
DuringMuhammad Zia-ul-Haq's reign, an operation was conducted against music and dance houses, which were alleged to be dens of prostitution. The operation served to spread the practice throughout the city.
After prostitution was outlawed in Heeramandi, much of the area was converted into food streets, restaurants and retail shops. In recent times, there are prostitutes in the area who are selling sex secretly, the practice in the neighbourhood is in decline with the rise of reserve prostitutes on online websites, though it's still illegal.
The neighbourhood forms part of Taxali Gate'sUnion Council30.