Chhatta Chowk, Historic market inside Red Fort, Delhi, India
Chhatta Chowk is a covered market passage within Red Fort that houses a row of small shops beneath a vaulted structure. The shops sell traditional handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs to those entering the fort.
This covered market was built around 1650 during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan as part of the original fort complex. The space originally served as a major trading center with hundreds of shops for merchants and craftsmen.
This space was once a gathering place for artisans and merchants, and that craft tradition continues in the shops today. Visitors find items that reflect the skills of makers from across India.
The market lies directly beyond the main gate of Red Fort, making it one of the first areas you enter after arrival. Shops operate during standard fort visiting hours, though some may close on national holidays.
The shops were originally laid out in a crescent pattern, a deliberate architectural choice that shaped how merchants and customers moved through the space. This curved arrangement is less obvious today but remains part of the fort's original design thinking.
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