Hira Mandi

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Hira Mandi (literally "Diamond Market"), also known as Shahi Mohalla, is a red-light district in Lahore. The women here offer traditional and classical dances and was originally the center of the city's tawaif culture in the Mughal era. Today, it is a centre of prostitution in Lahore under the veil of dances, such as mujra, a form of classical South-Asian exotic dance. While many Hijras also frequent the area and are involved in the dance culture.

Hira mandi is located in the northwest corner of the Walled City of Lahore, next to Roshnai Gate, Badshahi Masjid, Lahore Fort, and Hazuri Bagh. During the day the place is much like other Pakistani bazars and is also known for its good food, khussa(shoes) and the shops for music instruments.

Calling Hira Mandi a "Diamond Market" is incorrect, because diamonds have never been sold at Hira Mandi. According to Khushwant Singh, Hira Mandi was named after Hira Singh - the minister in charge of this district during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Prior to that, it was referred to as Shahi Mohalla ("Royal Neighborhood") due to its proximity to the royal quarters of the Moghals.

[edit] See also

• Prostitution in Pakistan

Mujra - Videos.

[edit] Further reading

• Saeed, Fouzia (2001). Taboo!: The Hidden Culture of a Red Light Area. Karachi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-579412-5. 
• Brown, Louise (2006). The Dancing Girls of Lahore: Selling Love and Saving Dreams in Pakistan's Pleasure District. Harper Perennial. ISBN 978-0060740436.