Imagine nobles haggling with merchants here. That was forbidden in Chhatta Chowk. Welcome to Chhatta Chowk a covered market inside Delhi’s Red Fort. This isn’t just any market. It’s a piece of Mughal history.
Emperor Shah Jahan built this bazaar in the 17th century. He wanted a special place for the royal household to shop. Chatta Chowk was inspired by a bazaar in Peshawar. Ali Mardan Khan built that bazaar. Shah Jahan saw it in 1646. He liked it so much that he had a similar one built here.
Chatta Chowk is unique. Most bazaars were open-air. This one had a roof. That’s why it was called Bazaar-i-Musaqqaf or covered bazaar. The roof kept the area cool. It also provided privacy.
The Chatta Chowk is located near the Lahori Gate. It has a long passage with shops on both sides. There were 32 arched bays that served as shops. These shops sold luxury items. Think silk, brocades and velvet. Gold, silverware and jewelry were also sold here. Gems and precious stones completed the picture.
Shah Jahan wanted only the best for his family. Rare spices, saffron and musk were available only here. This made Chatta Chowk very exclusive.
European traveler James Fergusson was impressed. He called it the noblest entrance known to any existing palace. The bazaar was beautifully decorated. It had floral patterns and Quranic inscriptions.
In the center was an octagonal open space. It was called the Chattar Manzil. This provided ventilation. It let light into the shops. Nobles and generals met here. They drank tea and discussed important matters. They talked about wars and horse prices. They gossiped about fine daggers. The fortress was the safest place in the city.
After 1857 the British took over the fort. They used Chatta Chowk as a soldier’s barracks. This damaged its appearance. Later the British rented out the shops. The Indian Army and the Archaeological Survey of India continued this.
Today there are efforts to restore Chatta Chowk. The goal is to bring back its original look. This includes paint and plaster work. Stucco work for the arches is planned. Lowering the road level is also in the works. Wooden doors will be added to the shops.
Today you can find many things here. Wooden masks from Kashmir are popular. Stone and wood idols are also available. You can also find hand-painted cards and paintings. Replicas of manuscripts are sold. Silver and imitation jewelry is common. Traditional wallets, bags and purses can be found. Silk is also a popular item.
Many merchants claim to be descendants of Mughal artists. But the shops mainly cater to tourists. Prices are often very high.
Chatta Chowk has seen many changes. It was once exclusive to the royal family. It became a soldier’s barracks. Today it’s a market for tourists. But its history remains. It is a reminder of Shah Jahan’s luxurious tastes. It is a unique example of Mughal architecture.