Chatta Chowk, Source – terragalleria.com/QT Luong
Chatta Bazaar (Covered Market)
- Also called as Chatta Chowk Bazaar or Meena Bazaar
- Was previously known as Bazaar-i-Musaqqaf (the market with ‘saqqaf’, means roof)
- Emperor Shah Jahan wanted all the amenities in the fort, especially for 100 members of Harem, although he had only 3 wives, including The Lady of Taj – Mumtaaz Mahal
- Mughal women usually ventured outside for shopping
- Ladies at that time was allowed only one day a week to go shopping, as it was considered a taboo to be shopping when male shoppers were around
- Hence, Shah Jahan inspired from Persian Fortresses and Mughal Fort in Peshawar, instructed Mukarmat Khan, who was supervising the construction of Red Fort, to built a covered market
- This idea was very suitable as the climate of Delhi was very hot
- The bazaar is 2 storied with 230 ft. in length and 13 ft. in width
- It has an octagonal court in the center for sunlight and ventilation. called Chattar Manzil
Chattar Manzil, Source – pixel-memories.blogspot.com/ Salil Ahuja
- There are 32 arched bays on each side of the bazaar
- These are used as Shops
- The lower cell consists of two room – a front and a back room
- The front is used for Shop displays and Sale counter, the back is used for storage
- Nowadays upper cells are used by Army men serving for the protection of the Red Fort
- During the Mughal rule, the bazaar had an exquisite collection of goods viz.
- Imperial Household wares
- Carpets
- Rugs
- Pillows
- Quilts
- Pashmina Shawls
- Costumes
- Velvet Curtains
- Embroideries
- Silks
- Wools
- Velvets
- Precious Stones
- Jewellery
- Ornaments
- Gold and Silver Utensils
- Fine Wood and Ivory Work
- Brass and Copper wares
- Fine Arms and Armaments
- Indoor Games
- Spices
- These items sold over here were exclusive for Fort Market only, giving an exclusive choice for Harems and Nobles
- Nowadays the items sold in this market are souvenirs, eatables and drinks
- In 2003, Archeological Survey of India tried to evict the shopkeepers, but the ruling of the High Court of Delhi helped retaining the shop
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