Heera Mandi

Heera Mandi (Urdu and ),  is a neighbourhood and bazaar located in the Walled City of Lahore. It is specifically known as the red light district of Lahore, Pakistan. It is believed to have been originally named 'Hira Singh Di Mandi', meaning Hira Singh's food grain market. Later, this transformed to the modern name Heera Mandi as it evolved into a ‘red light district’ for the city.

Heera Mandi is located inside the Walled City of Lahore, near the Taxali Gate, and south of the Badshahi Mosque. Heeramandi, originally a song and dance community rooted in the tawaif culture during the Mughal period, first evolved into a hotspot for prostitution during the Durrani invasions. Following British colonization, Heeramandi gradually transformed into a red-light district.

Etymology
Hira Singh Dogra, a prime minister of the Punjab, during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh thought that Shahi Mohalla in the heart of the city may be used as an economic hub, similar to a bazaar, in addition to housing tawaifs. He established a food grains market in the neighborhood which first became familiar as ‘Hira Singh di Mandi’ (Hira Singh's market). Heera means diamond in Urdu and is thought to describe the dancing girls of the area. But in fact,the area's name is traditionally ascribed to Heera Singh, son of Dhian Singh Dogra. Dhian Singh was the Prime Minister during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign.

Mughal Empire
Established during the Mughal Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries, this place gained prominence during the reign of the third Mughal emperor, Akbar. During the Mughal period, the women were mainly brought from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan for entertainment to the Heera Mandi. An area south of the Lahore Fort was developed as a residential neighborhood for attendants and servants of the royal court and the Emperor. It later came to be known as Shahi Mohalla, which translates to "royal neighborhood" in English. The area became home to tawaifs, who were professional entertainers associated with the royal court. The market remained the centre of the city's tawaif (courtesan) culture for the Lahore's Mughal era elite during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. The name "Heera Mandi" was chosen in honor of Heera Singh, an officer who resided in that area.

Durrani Empire
Following invasions by Ahmad Shah Abdali, Heera Mandi became known for prostitution. Abdali began placing the enslaved women he captured during his campaign in Heeramandi for his army's use.

Sikh Empire
Maharaja Ranjit Singh reinstated various Mughal royal rituals in Lahore, including the culture of tawaifs and their court performances, the tawaifs continued to receive royal patronage from the court. Brothels run by Afghans in Heeramandi were shut down.

British Empire
British colonial rule solidified Heera Mandi's reputation as a hub for prostitution. Within the market, women and khwajasara (transgenders) offered traditional and classical dances. From the British colonial period till recent past, it remained a centre of prostitution in Lahore. Many Hijras, members of Pakistan's transgender community, frequent the area and are involved in the area's dance culture.After the British colonization, although more brothels and prostitutes were operating in Heera mandi, there were still tawaif performing activities in the area, Heera mandi retained its reputation as a centre of the performing arts. Tawaif's patrons were no longer emperors and nobles but wealthy men from the city. This is when Heera mandi earned its nickname “Bazaar-e-Husn” (Market of Beauty).

After the partition of India and Pakistan
After the partition, young and attractive tawaifs from Heera Mandi became the first choice of Pakistan filmmakers. Girls from the Heeramandi joined the Lollywood industry and gained much fame and wealth. Some of the most skilled tawaifs performed as backup dancers in early Pakistani films. In Heeramandi and surrounding areas, there were many dance and music classrooms, which closed as the tawaifs and musicians left. Eventually, only prostitutes came and stayed at Heeramandi to engage in prostitution.

Culture
During the Mughal period, tawaifs of Heeramandi were trained in Indian classical music, Kathak and mujra dance, as well as poetry and etiquette. These tawaif had art teachers or an Ustad to guide them in their skills. They would practice music and dance on the balcony of their kotha. These tawaifs entertained guests with exquisite art in kotha and provided performing arts to their guests. Some of tawaifs also entered the palace to perform for the Mughal royal family.

Prostitution
The brothel houses were further developed by the British in old Anarkali Bazaar for the recreation and enjoyment of the British soldiers during the British Raj. After that these were shifted to Lohari Gate and then to Taxali Gate.

The place is also considered as a symbol for the city of Lahore during the Mughal period. Over time, during the day, Heera Mandi is much like any other Pakistani bazaar and is known for its good food, wide range of Khussa (traditional Mughal footwear), and shops for musical instruments and dance. At night, the brothels above the shops open. Sometimes the words 'Heera Mandi' themselves are considered to be offensive informal talks.

Crackdown on Prostitution
During Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's reign, an operation was conducted against music and dance houses, which were alleged to be dens of prostitution. The operation served to spread the practice throughout the city. After prostitution was outlawed in Heeramandi, much of the area was converted into food streets, restaurants and shops. In recent times, there are prostitutes in the area who are selling sex secretly, the practice in the neighbourhood is in decline with the rise of reserve prostitutes in online, though it's still illegal.

Civic administration
The neighbourhood forms part of Taxali Gate's Union Council 30.

In popular culture

 * Heera Mandi is referred to in the 2019 Indian film Kalank.
 * The district serves as the basis for the 2024 Indian Netflix web-series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024).
 * The 2024 Pakistani film Taxali Gate is partially set in Heera Mandi.
 * Lajwanti(2015) is partially set in Heera Mandi.