Anarkali Bazaar
Anarkali Bazaar or Anarkali Market is an old style market in Lahore, Pakistan.[1]
The name and origins
[change | change source]The word 'Anarkali' means 'Pomegranate Blossom'. According to a legend, this was the name of a beautiful dancing-girl. She fell in love with the Mughal prince Selim (who later became the Emperor Jahangir).[2] But the prince's father, the old Emperor Akbar, did not like the girl. So he had the girl arrested and punished. She died and was buried near a bazaar or market.[3] Later, when prince Selim became Emperor he named the bazaar after her. Today, there is an old tomb near there. Jahangir built it in 1615.[3] People say this is the tomb of the real Anarkali, but no one is certain. Another famous tomb near Anarkali Bazaar is Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak's tomb[4]
The bazaar today
[change | change source]Today, the Anarkali Bazaar is one of the best shopping areas in all of South Asia. Women love to go there because it has excellent clothes, shoes and jewelry shops.[5] There are some nice places to eat there, too. It is open most days from 9 in the morning to 11 at night. There are always many lights and music playing there. There is also a lot of traffic.
References
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