Khari Baoli is home to Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. Operating since the 17th century, the market is situated in the Old Delhi area, and sells all kinds of spices, nuts, herbs, rice and tea. Many shops are known by their serial numbers, e.g., ‘Chawal Wale 13’ or ’21 Number Ki Dookan’, and are run by the ninth or the tenth generations of the founders of these establishments dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. The foundations of Khari Baoli, meaning ‘salty step-well’, were laid during the reign of Salim Shah, the son of Sher Shah Suri, although no traces of the well can be found today. The market came up around the Fatehpuri Masjid built in 1650 by Fateh puri Begum, Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife.
It is Asia’s biggest spice market that will allow you to select from a variety of both local and exotic spices. Hundreds of traders and buyers gather in the market for trading spices, and you will be surprised how trade happens here in such an orderly and organised manner.
There, you will even find shops that have still retained the names that have been used since the shops were step up, such as 15 Number ki Dukaan, Chawal Wale 13, and much more. The owners of these shops or the spice trades are now being carried forward by the ninth or tenth generations now. If you wander around this spice market, you will see how each shop spells history.
Picture Credit : Google