We all know that Kolkata has been Eastern India’s most sought after shopping hub for centuries. From apparels to jewellery, the local market caters to the shopping needs of the city as well as neighbouring states. The variety and affordability provided by the Kolkata markets, make it a lucrative destination for even shoppers from neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Millennials might think that shopping is largely synonymous to visiting the likes of modern and fancy malls like Forum Courtyard, City Centres, Mani Square, South City and others. However, in Kolkata shopping is all about visiting the crowded and jam-packed markets located in different areas of the city. Most of these markets or ‘bazaar,’ as they are popularly called, have been in existence for over a hundred years and witness millions of visitors each year.

Famous Historical Markets in Kolkata

From Burrabazar in Central Kolkata to Gariahat in the South, these Bazaars span across hundreds of acres and have thousands of retail stores that sell almost everything you can think of. While everyone in the city knows about these markets, how they started is a secret only a few know.

Burrabazar

Location: Between Jorabagan and Lalbazar

Origin: 18th Century

Famous for: Everything

Originally, Burrabazar had started as a yarn and textile market in the 18th century but now has become one of the largest wholesale markets in India. Before the arrival of British, the area was home to the Sett and the Bysacks, who were well-known merchants of yarn and cloth. They become millionaires just by selling textile to British East India Company. Though they started their business from Sutanuti (currently known as Sovabazar), an area adjoining the present-day Burrabazar, the exponential growth of their business made way for the growth of a neighbourhood market that spanned across 500 bighas.

Though conventional-looking, the Burrabazar market’s setting is fascinating because of how separate areas are dedicated to different types of businesses. These are further subdivided into smaller markets or ‘Katras’ based on the commodities they deal in. For example, Raja Katra is famous for spices and Manohar Das Katra in jewellery and hardware. You can find both small and large retailers lining up the lanes of the entire Burrabazar area. In addition to that, there are thousands of hawkers who cover a major portion of the streets and footpaths.

The market became popular owing to its central location, and connectivity to the Ganges, Howrah and Sealdah Stations. It is a well-known destination for wedding shopping but you can get absolutely anything that you want. Shoes, ornamental jewellery, mobile phones, laptops or religious ingredients, Burrabazar has it all.

Shyambazar

Location: Near Bagbazar

Open Since: 18th century

Famous for: Jewellery and Sweets

Shyambazar housed elite businessmen of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in the 18th century. The original name of the market in the area was Charles Bazar but was later renamed to the present name in honour of Shyam Rai (a revered Hindu deity and another name for Lord Krishna) by Sobharam Basak. He was a wealthy businessman and philanthropist of the 19th century.

Contrary to being known as a popular shopping neighbourhood today, the area was famous for its theatres back in the 19th century. The first Bengali theatre production Bidyasundar was also staged here by Nabin Chandra Basu, at his home in 1835. Eventually, cinema halls also came up in the area. There were around 10 cinema halls in the area which used to become a favourite spot for Bengali women folk in the evening.

Today Shyambazar is what Gariahat is to South Kolkata. The market is famous for the clothes and sweet shops that align its street. Spread all across the five-point crossing of Shyambazar, these shops are a go-to place before the arrival of Durga Puja and other festivals. Even without any festivals, Shyambazar still remains a favourite shopping spot for thousands throughout the year.

New Market

Location: Lindsay Street

Open Since: 1st January 1874

Famous for: Apparels, crockery, bakery, etc.

New Market is certainly the only market that possesses the grandeur architecture prevalent during the British Era. Not many know this but New Market emerged out of a desire for the British to have an exclusive shopping destination for themselves. Their uncomfortable encounters by brushing shoulders with the city population made them come up with the plan of building the New Market. This translated into the Calcutta Corporation buying Lindsay Street to construct the Victorian Gothic style complex.

It was thrown open to the public on 1st January 1874 and the news of Calcutta's new municipal market spread like wildfire in India. As a result, many curious westerners settled in India started coming to Kolkata to shop at the market. The market was officially named Sir Stuart Hogg Market after the then Chairman of Calcutta Corporation on 2nd December 1903. However, people always preferred to call it the New Market.

The term ‘New Market’ was initially referred to only the market complex but gradually transpired to be used as a common term to describe the entire shopping neighbourhood. Currently, there are over 2,000 retail stores and stalls present in the locality that sell everything that you can think of. It is famous for apparel and accessories, raw food items, desserts, fresh vegetables, exotic flowers and crockeries. The New Market Area is also famous for the innumerable fine dining restaurants located here.

Gariahat

Location: Ballygunge

Open Since: 1950s

Famous for: Clothes, shoes and decorations

For people of South Kolkata, Gariahat is the most popular market. Located between Ballygunge and Southern Avenue, Gariahat is the hub of shopping in South Kolkata. Though the exact date on which the market emerged is not known, it is relatively new when compared to the likes of Barabazaar, Shyambazar and New Market.

Gariahat is what a modern shopping destination looks like in the rest of the country. The two major shopping attractions here are the Ballygunge AC Market and Dakshinapan Shopping Centre. The Dakshinapan Shopping Centre is an open cultural spot and shopping complex that is home to various State emporiums dealing in handicrafts, textiles, furniture and handlooms. Apart from this, the streets around Gariahat are lined with shops that sell bags, kurtis, sarees, crockery and anything else that you need.

While other bazaars in the city are visited exclusively for shopping purposes, Gariahat is also a favoured hang-out place for young adults. Hustling with fine dining restaurants, cafes and sports clubs, there is a lot to do here.

These markets or Bazaars are still the soul for shoppers of Kolkata, other parts of Bengal and adjoining states . Even after existing for centuries, they still enjoy the footfall and business that even the well-known modern shopping malls fail to achieve. It is fascinating to see how crowded all of these markets get from over a month before the arrival of major festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas. From giving you an opportunity to bargain with vendors to the chaotic setups, they will always give you a true and unique shopping experience!