- Hira Mandi
Hira Mandi (literally "Diamond Market"), also known as Shahi Mohalla, is a
red-light district inLahore . The women here offer traditional and classical dances and was originally the center of the city'stawaif culture in theMughal era . Today, it is a centre of prostitution in Lahore under the veil of dances, such asmujra , a form of classical South-Asianexotic 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 toRoshnai Gate ,Badshahi Masjid ,Lahore Fort , andHazuri Bagh . During the day the place is much like otherPakistan ibazar s 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 MaharajaRanjit Singh .Prior to that, it was referred to as Shahi Mohalla ("Royal Neighborhood") due to its proximity to the royal quarters of the Moghals.ee also
*
Prostitution in Pakistan Further reading
*cite book|last=Saeed|first=Fouzia|title=Taboo!: The Hidden Culture of a Red Light Area|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Karachi|id=ISBN 0-19-579412-5
*cite book|last=Brown|first=Louise|title=The Dancing Girls of Lahore: Selling Love and Saving Dreams in Pakistan's Pleasure District |year=2006|publisher=Harper Perennial|id=ISBN 978-0060740436
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
