India’s costliest market has a Pakistan connection, know how it got its name

The area was originally inhabited by homes and shops for Pakistani Hindus. According to reports, initially, only 154 shops and 74 flats were built, and these flats were allotted to Pakistani Hindus. Over time, more shops were added. Today, out of the 74 families, only three are still living in Khan Market, while the other flats have been converted into shops.

This market is considered as the costliest market of the national capital.  The multinational company of real estate consultancy, Cushman and Wakefield’s report mentioned it the top costliest market in the country. This market is enlisted in the world’s top costliest market. It is Delhi’s Khan market which is ranked at 22nd position in the list. 

According to a report, the annual rent of a shop in Khan market is Rs 19, 330 per sq ft. This retail market attracts elite and rich people. The market has all premium brands and expensive boutiques. An  individual can purchase books and other items of premium brands like shoes bags and jewellery items. A customer can also purchase gift and beauty products. The Khan market has restaurants and street foods where a good crowd can be seen. 

The Khan market is named after freedom fighter Abdul Jabbar Khan. He was also known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’. He was the elder brother of Abdul Ghaffar Khan. After Independence, the market was set up for Refugee Hindus who had come from Pakistan. Abdul Jabbar Khan had played an important role inhabiting refugee Hindus and the market was named after him. 

The area was originally inhabited by homes and shops for Pakistani Hindus. According to reports, initially, only 154 shops and 74 flats were built, and these flats were allotted to Pakistani Hindus. Over time, more shops were added. Today, out of the 74 families, only three are still living in Khan Market, while the other flats have been converted into shops.

In 1951, the Khan market resembled the shape of the English alphabet , ‘U’. The two-storey flats were designed for the families where they lived on the top floor and on the ground floor, shops were built for them. 

Earlier, the rent for these shops was Rs 50. According to media reports, the rent for a single shop in Khan Market now ranges between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh per month.