Bhabra Bazaar
Bhabra Bazaar
بھابڑا بازار | |
|---|---|
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| City | Rawalpindi |
Bhabra Bazaar (Urdu: بھابڑا بازار) is an old historic bazaar with early 19th century houses, located in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.[1][2]
Bhabra Bazaar has a commercial area that starts from Murree Road and extends to 'Sarafa Bazaar' within Bhabra Bazaar.[3]
Historical background
A food street and a historic haveli, Haveli Sujan Singh, built in 1893, is also situated in the bazaar. Sujan Singh was the uncle of famous Indian journalist and writer Khushwant Singh (2 February 1915 - 20 March 2014).[1][4]
Bhabra Bazaar was founded by the followers of Jainism some centuries ago. "The word 'Bhabhra' derives from Sanskrit, indicating a merchant community belonging to Jain religion".[1]
Old residential streets in Bhabra Bazaar area of Rawalpindi city have winding narrow streets, homes with handcrafted wooden doors and corridors leading to enclosed yards, within the four outside home walls. These British-era houses usually have either two or three stories with painted ceilings and ceramic tiles. Haveli Sujan Singh and its surrounding areas were considered upscale neighbourhoods back then.[1]
Overhanging enclosed wooden balconies, called Jharokhas in local language, still survive today on some of the houses. Bhabhras (followers of Jain religion) used to be traders and goldsmiths by profession and could afford to build these somewhat expensive homes for themselves.[1] In recent times, some specialty streets within the old Bhabra Bazaar area were renamed 'Sarafa Bazaar' (Goldsmiths Street) and Moti Bazaar.[1]
According to historians, along with members of another tribe called Rawal, Jains also founded the city of Rawalpindi. After partition in 1947, followers of Jainism migrated to India along with Hindus and Sikhs.[3][5]
Food Street
Bhabra Bazaar also has a 'Food Street' that has the most authentic Punjabi cuisines – 'The Amritsari and Kashmiri kulchay, Punjabi dahi bhallay, Old Delhi chana chaat, the kheer and mithai (sweet desserts) of Ambala. In addition, it has several milk and yogurt shops. The quality of food here is as good as the famous foods sold in Lahore, Pakistan.[1][4]
Prominent residents of Bhabra Bazaar
- Azhar Lodhi, former Pakistani television (PTV) newscaster and commentator[3]
- Altaf Hussain, British-Pakistani politician and founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan, now living in London. Altaf Hussain was born in Bhabra Bazaar and spent his childhood here.[3]
- Babar Awan, former Federal Minister and member of Senate of Pakistan[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Saif Tahir (6 May 2017). "Walking through Rawalpindi's Bhabra Bazaar was a journey into a majestic past". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Tahir, Saif (12 May 2017). "راولپنڈی کے بھابرہ بازار میں یادگار ماضی کے ساتھ گپ شپ". Dawn News Television Network.
- ^ a b c d e Agha Mehroz and Qaiser Shirazi (13 September 2018). "Over two centuries old: Bhabra Bazaar buildings a relic of past". The Express Tribune newspaper. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ a b "PC-I of Bhabra Bazaar food street's rehabilitation finalised". Dawn newspaper. 1 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ "No Bhabra in Bhabra Bazar". Bol News. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.