Oldest Shopping Centers in Srinagar

With the number of shopping malls and markets adding up each day across the Valley, the oldest shopping centers seem to have been lost into oblivion. Maharaj Gunj market happens to be one such market which is gradually being lost to history. The market, located in old city along the banks of river Jhelum, has been established between 1868-1870’s by then Maharaja of Kashmir, Maharaja Ranbir Singh.Before the establishment of Maharaj Gunj, market surrounding the Jamia Masjid mosque was leading market when Kashmir was ruled by Sultans.“Jamia Masjid was the main market of the Valley. Since old city was only civilized part of the Valley, Jamia market was main market,” said Abdul Gaffar, an old shopkeeper at Jamia Majid.The market would be visited by people from city outskirts as well to shop.“On Fridays, people will throng to this place to shop and pray as well,” he adds.However when Maharaja Ranbir Singh ruled Kashmir, Maharaja Gunj was set up to pay the money lended from businessmen in Punjab fro sales deed. “During the sale deed of 1846 of Kashmir, Maharaja had lended Rs 16 lakh from businessmen in Punjab. But since Maharaja could not pay it back, he asked those traders to do business in Kashmir in exchange for the debit,” says Zareef Ahmad Zareef, writer.

A full fledged market was set up for the Punjab traders. The name of the market was changed from “Azz Baboon trag”, named after one of the richest person of the areas, to Maharaj Gunj The shops are given to the traders along with few rooms for residing and market started. It flourished as the leading market of the Valley, giving a hit to Jamia market. People started thronging to Maharaj Gunj for shopping and trading. Its location at the bank of river Jhelum, which facilitated trade, added to its business. Valley’s first police station was also started in Maharaj Gunj, named S.R Gunj police station. The traders were allotted land for building residence, namely Shivpora, Wazir bagh and Rammunshi Bagh.

However the development of the Srinagar city and coming up of new markets gave a below of Maharaj Gunj. Additionally, the government inattention towards the development of the market and facilities pushed Maharaj Gunj into stupor. “We do not have proper transport system which is a major hurdle. How can people come here when we have no transport? ”said Abdul Gaffar.He alleged government for ignoring the historic market “They are building new mall s and market but no one pays attention to Maharaj Gunj which is a historicplace,” says another shopkeeper at Maharaj Gunj.