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Sanjay Leela Bhansali's web series Heeramandi is in the news these days. Was the Heeramandi shown by Bhansali really the same? The answer is, probably not. However, it has already been said in the disclaimer of the series that it is a fictional show, so it is a bit difficult to know the truth from there. We tell you some original facts related to Hiramandi-
- It has been shown in the series that the area of Hiramandi was very spacious. However, the truth is the opposite. There are narrow streets, the area is quite congested.
- Mughal Emperor Akbar changed his residence from Fatehpur Sikri to Lahore in 1584. There he established an area for the entertainment of himself and his courtiers. This area was close to the royal court, hence it was named Shahi Mohalla.
- Women were brought here from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan for the entertainment of the Mughals. She used to perform music and dance here. This style was called Mujra. The women who performed Mujra were called Tawaif. Please note, in the initial period the main work of these tawaifs was not prostitution. Their main job was to entertain the guests by dancing and singing.
Mujra takes place in these palaces only. Photo courtesy- On Jafri (Photographer- Lahore, Pakistan)
- People were also hired to teach classical music and dance to courtesans, who were called Ustads.
- The courtesans had a good understanding of their culture and civilization. For this reason, the Nawabs and rich people around Lahore used to send their children to him to teach them manners and etiquette.
- After the Mughals, Lahore was attacked by Ahmed Shah Abdali and Nadir Shah. From here, gradually the existence of these courtesans started disappearing.
- After Abdali, Sikhs ruled here. At that time there used to be a general in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh – Hira Singh Dogra. He himself established a grain market near the royal locality. At that time it was named Heera Singh Di Mandi. Later it came to be called Hiramandi in short form. During the Sikh period, the condition of tawaifs became a little better. He had received court protection.
- By this time the British had started expanding their foothold in India. There were two wars between the Sikhs and the British and Lahore came under British rule.
- With the arrival of the British, the real problems of the courtesans of Hiramandi started. They neither had protection nor received any allowance. Under compulsion, courtesans became part of prostitution to earn their living. From here, brothels started opening in Hiramandi.
Photo On Jafri (Photographer- Lahore, Pakistan)
- After a few days the British shifted their camp away from Hiramandi. The palaces around Hiramandi were bought by the nobles here, hence the Mujra continued. All the rich people used to come to these palaces to watch the Mujra. The story of Bhansali's series is somewhat similar to this period.
- After independence, Lahore became part of Pakistan. The attitude of the governments there was hostile towards these courtesans. Gradually the courtesans started disappearing. Hiramandi, which earlier used to echo with the tinkling of the bells of courtesans, became the biggest hub of prostitution at night.
Currently, there are many shops in Hiramandi selling musical instruments. Photo courtesy- On Jafri (Photographer- Lahore, Pakistan)
- Talking about the present time, Hiramandi is one of the busiest areas of Lahore. This place is quite famous for food and drinks. Apart from this, there are many shops of musical instruments on line.
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