Going by historical records, Heeramandi came into existence at the behest of Hira Singh Dogra, the prime minister of the Sikh Kingdom of Lahore from 17 September 1843 to 21 December 1844 and son of Dhian Singh Dogra, the trusted general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In a boost to the local economy, Hira Singh decided to establish a grain market (“Heera Singh Di Mandi”) in the Shahi Mohalla, deemed the royal neighbourhood considering its proximity to the royal court, which already housed the tawaifs of the Walled City of Lahore. Once the grain market was set up, turning the region into an economic hub, the tawaif quarters of Heeramandi also became more popular.
Who were the tawaifs of Heeramandi?
As shown in the series, the tawaifs of Heeramandi were young women who had been trained in music, dance, poetry, etiquette, languages and literature from a young age. They were educated and salaried—both privileges for women of these times. Most of the courtesans were born into families of tawaifs and kanjri, who were performers of a lower social status. At its peak, the courtesans of Heeramandi attracted the patronage of only royals and nobles, and later, following the advent of the British Raj—colonial officers. They were respected members of society (although the series presents a more complex picture), would attend social gatherings hosted by the elite, and travel extensively to form new connections. They would hold poetry and (Indian classical) dance recitals and were trained in the arts by stalwarts in these fields.
The impact of colonial rule
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However, the onset of the British Raj brought with it a world of challenges for Heeramandi. Stripped of their lands and titles, the aristocrats who served as patrons of the courtesans, began to withdraw their support and protection. The British officers began to deem Heeramandi as “Bazaar-e-Husn” (Market of Beauty), thereby turning one of the richest cultural centres into a prostitution hub. As the royal patrons were replaced by wealthy men from the city and British soldiers, the royal tawaifs were reduced to the status of local sex workers.
Following the decline of Heeramandi, many tawaifs entered the entertainment space, acting and dancing in movies in the Indian and Pakistani film industries. Subsequently, a number of music and dance studios opened up in Heeramandi, and over time, the historic region witnessed the rise of food streets, restaurants and shops. Today, Heeramandi is only a shadow of the vibrant, thriving cultural hub it used to be. However, the rich history of the diamond market remains etched in every corner of the walled city.
