Akhilesh Yadav kicks off party's PDA Rath Yatra campaign for 2027 Assembly elections
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday kicked off the party's PDA Rath Yatra campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections from Lucknow to Raebareli. The red buses left the state capital on Thursday with party cadres in tow. The high-profile tour aboard the 'PDA Rath' is seen as part of the Samajwadi Party's broader campaign across central Uttar Pradesh, focusing on its backward, Dalit, and minority (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) coalition ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.
Samajwadi Party flags of Akhilesh Yadav
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has begun his campaign for the 2027 state elections with the launch of the PDA Rath from Lucknow to Raebareli. The red busses left the state capital on Thursday with party cadres in tow. The high-profile tour aboard the PDA Rath is seen as part of the Samajwadi Partys []
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to launch PDA Yatra from Raebareli today amid rift with Congress
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 24 (IANS) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav is set to kick off the PDA Yatra on Thursday from Uttar Pradeshs Raebareli as part of the partys campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections in the state. Akhilesh Yadav will travel in a saffron Rath, specially curated from a bus, as he begins the yatra from Raebareli, a constituency that has traditionally been known as a Congress bastion. His decision to launch the programme from the seat has generated considerable interest in political circles, as Raebareli is the parliamentary constituency represented by Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The Samajwadi Party and Congress are allies in the opposition INDIA bloc. The latest development comes against the backdrop of the alliance and preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. The SP chief had earlier appointed senior party functionaries Indrajeet Saroj and Anand Bhadauria as in-charges of the Amethi and Raebareli parliamentary constituencies -- both have long been Congress strongholds. The appointments were made at a time when the INDIA bloc was firmly in place, and the Samajwadi Party and Congress had agreed to contest elections together as constituents of the opposition alliance. However, the political equation between the two parties in Uttar Pradesh has since seen signs of strain, as differences emerged over political messaging, leadership and the relative standing of the two parties within the opposition space. There is currently contention between Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan and Congress MP Imran Masood, with their remarks reflecting the broader differences that have emerged between the allies. Hasan reportedly said that only SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav is capable of defeating the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and suggested that the Congress could achieve little on its own. Masood is said to have responded by insisting that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is the only Opposition leader with a national reach capable of unsettling the BJP. The signal thus emerging from Uttar Pradesh is that despite repeated assurances from the top leadership of both parties that the alliance remains intact, there is still no consensus on hierarchy, ownership and political primacy within.
Ladakh adopts single merit list for Central Pool seats
Srinagar, Sep 23: In Ladakh, the Health & Medical Education Department has revised guidelines for admission to MBBS and BDS seats under the Central Pool, following the formation of seven new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Under the existing system, introduced in 2021, candidates were considered under different categories and admitted through a roster system. The categories included Reserved and Unreserved candidates, Leh and Kargil districts, and male and female candidates, besides other categories prescribed under the existing guidelines. With approval of the Lieutenant Governor, the UT Administration has decided to amend the existing guidelines and introduce a single merit list for admission to Central Pool MBBS/BDS seats. Officials said the existing system of separate categories and roster shall be discontinued. They said a single merit list shall be maintained irrespective of the domicile district, sex, or Reserved/Unreserved category of the candidate. Admission to the allotted Medical and Dental Colleges shall be made strictly on the basis of NEET merit/ranking and the choices exercised by the eligible candidates. For the academic year 2026-27, the Government of India has allotted 7 MBBS and 2 BDS seats to the UT of Ladakh under the Central Pool. The MBBS seats have been allotted to Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi; L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut; Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi; R.S.D.K.S. Government Medical College, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh; Dumka Medical College, Jharkhand; M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi; and Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Medical College, Durg, Chhattisgarh, with one seat in each institution. The two BDS seats have been allotted to K.G. Dental College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and Government Dental College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, with one seat in each institution. A period of seven days shall be provided to all interested and eligible candidates having a valid NEET ranking to apply for the Central Pool MBBS/BDS seats through the official Ladakh NIC portal. Eligible candidates are advised to visit the official website of the Administration of UT of Ladakh, for detailed guidelines and further information regarding the application process.
BSP president Mayawati appoints younger nephew Ishan Anand as new national convener
The decision was announced at a meeting of the BSPs national executive held at the party headquarters in Lucknow, chaired by Mayawati
LU hosts first-ever F1 car display
LU: Students flag delay in hostel allotment
Light splash as monsoon beats retreat
LDA to launch multiple housing projects soon
30 minutes of sunlight can boost Vitamin D, say experts
BJP mulls Bihar playbook to edge out SP in UP polls
Mayawati appoints Ishan Anand BSPs new national coordinator
Buzz in political circles as SP PDA Yatra to roll out from Rae Bareli today
Eateries face new food safety norms
Food safety checks intensify across UP
UP: Mob attacks biryani shop owner on suspicion of carrying beef
Lucknow: Three youths in Uttar Pradeshs capital, Lucknow, assaulted a Muslim biryani stall owner on suspicion of carrying beef and threatened to kill him. A video of the assault surfaced on Sunday, September 20, while police said the attack occurred when the stall owner, Rizwan, was returning to his shop with meat. The youth flogged Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Cops response in golden hour to save crash victims
Two Nepalese nationals held, 12 stolen bikes recovered
Five held for demolishing four rooms in Ambedkar Nagar
Expo evenings to to blend business with art, culture
Yogi to meet foreign delegations from partner countries at UPITS
Ram temple donation theft took place inside counting centre only, says SIT chargesheet
Slug: CENSUS PREPS2nd round of master trainer training begins
Yogi felicitates five Bharat Taxi Saarthis
Rai demands probe into Varanasi Lok Sabha result
UP minister pitches Sanatan-themed townships, senior living projects to Mumbai investors
EC expos suggests UP polls last of elections, says Akhilesh
BJP strengthens UP unit: Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Verma, ex-MLA Anant Ojha appointed co-in-charges
Severed finger, DNA match: Lucknow court awards life term to man for 2010 Kanpur bomb murder
Durban's Super Giants launch new look for next season
Digital Desk | Durban (South Africa), Sep 23 (IANS) SA20 franchise Durban's Super Giants (DSG) on Wednesday unveiled a new logo and a bold new identity, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the next edition of South Africa's domestic T20 franchise league. The evolution brings Durban's Super Giants closer to Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred, creating a stronger and more recognisable Super Giants identity across three of the world's leading cricket markets. At the base of the new look is a redesigned DSG logo and a striking red, blue and gold colour palette. Together, they represent a franchise that is ambitious about its future and proud of the city it calls home. Since its debut in the SA20, DSG has set out to build more than a competitive cricket team. It has sought to create a franchise that Durban can call its own, one that reflects the city's energy, diversity and passion for sport. The new identity builds on that ambition. Red represents the energy and passion of the team and its supporters. Blue brings strength and confidence, while gold represents ambition and the pursuit of excellence. The new look will be introduced across DSG's playing and training kits, Kingsmead, digital platforms, merchandise and fan experiences ahead of the new SA20 season. While the franchises will share a common visual language, each will remain firmly rooted in its own city, culture and supporters. For DSG, that means building a global brand with an unmistakably Durban heart. Dr Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RPSG Group, said: Durban is a city with extraordinary energy, warmth and sporting passion. We want Durban's Super Giants to reflect that spirit and to build something the city can truly be proud of. This new identity represents our ambition for DSG. We want to compete at the highest level, create memorable experiences for our supporters and build a franchise that becomes an enduring part of Durban. Shashwat Goenka, Vice Chairman, RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, said: We now have the Super Giants represented in three great cricketing cities across three countries. There is a real opportunity to build a strong global sporting brand while ensuring that each team remains deeply connected to its home. For DSG, that balance is important. Our identity may be new and our ambition global, but our heart will always be Durban. Durban's Super Giants have established itself as a major presence in the SA20, reaching the final in Season 2 and building a passionate following at its home, Kingsmead.
UP RERA clears 12 projects worth Rs 1,664 crore across six districts
Uttar Pradesh's real estate sector is set to expand with the approval of 12 new projects. These projects will involve a total investment of Rs 1,663.85 crore across six districts. Lucknow will receive the largest share with four projects totaling 1,972 units. Ghaziabad and Hapur follow with several residential projects also approved. Authorities emphasize compliance with regulations and timely project completion to protect homebuyers' interests.
Chandan Healthcare Scales Franchise Network to 500+ Franchises; Targets 1,000 Franchises by FY27-End
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 23: Chandan Healthcare Limited (NSE CHANDAN), an integrated diagnostics company offering pathology and radiology services, has expanded its diagnostic franchise network to 568
DDCA Director Vikas Katyal Appointed Team India Manager For West Indies Series
District Cricket Association: Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) Director Vikas Katyal has been appointed as the manager of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming home series against the West Indies, the state association announced on Wednesday. India and West Indies will face each other in three ODIs and five T20Is, with the series beginning on September 27. The ODI series will open in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27 before moving to Guwahati and New Chandigarh. The five-match T20I series will then be played in Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Shubman Gill will lead India in the ODI series, with senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also part of the squad. Shreyas Iyer will captain the T20I side, which includes a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent. Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma are among the players named in the squad. The DDCA congratulated Katyal on his appointment and described it as a moment of pride for the association and the wider Delhi cricket fraternity. This is a proud occasion for the entire DDCA fraternity, as one of its directors has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the Indian cricket team. DDCA congratulates Katyal on this prestigious appointment and wishes him and Team India every success for the West Indies series to be played in India, the DDCA said in a statement. The appointment comes ahead of a series in which India will look to maintain its strong record against the West Indies. In ODIs, India have won 67 of the 142 matches between the two teams, while West Indies have 63 victories. Two matches have ended in ties, and four produced no result. This is a proud occasion for the entire DDCA fraternity, as one of its directors has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the Indian cricket team. DDCA congratulates Katyal on this prestigious appointment and wishes him and Team India every success for the West Indies series to be played in India, the DDCA said in a statement. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The two teams last met in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, with India defeating the West Indies by five wickets at Eden Gardens on March 1. Article Source: IANS
UP RERA approves 12 realty projects worth Rs 1,664 cr across six districts
The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority has greenlit 12 new projects across six districts, promising an investment of Rs 1,663.85 crore, which substantially enhances the real estate landscape. Notably, Lucknow leads with four projects amounting to Rs 609.35 crore and 1,972 residential units. Ghaziabad and Hapur also attract notable investments in housing. The authority stresses the importance of adherence to regulations and timely project completion, safeguarding homeowners' interests.
3 bodies recovered from Sai river after Ganesh idol immersion in Lucknow; 2 victims wives pregnant
Bharat Taxi to operate on zero commission, drivers to get 5 lakh social security: CM Yogi Adityanath
Operations begin in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj; taxi as well as two-wheeler and three-wheeler drivers to join
Bharat Taxi to operate on zero commission, drivers to get 5 lakh social security: CM Yogi Adityanath
Operations begin in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj; taxi as well as two-wheeler and three-wheeler drivers to join
Professor Sangita Srivastava gets second term as vice-chancellor of Allahabad University
Mayawati appoints Ishan Anand as BSP national coordinator after Akash Anand's removal from key post
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati has decided to elevate her younger nephew Ishan Anand in the party organisation ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Ishan Anand has been appointed as the party's national coordinator following the removal of his elder brother Akash Anand from a key organisational position.The decision was taken during a major meeting of BSP national office-bearers at the party headquarters in Lucknow on Wednesday. As per details, the meeting focused on strengthening the organisation and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
IIM Lucknow Research Assistant Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
IIM Lucknow has released the notification for Research Assistant Recruitment 2026 for 1 post. Eligible postgraduate/MBA candidates with 60% marks can apply online till 04 October 2026.
Video: Mans final moments caught on camera as 3 drowns in Lucknow river during Ganesh idol immersion
Divorced woman can seek maintenance even if divorce was on ground of desertion: Allahabad HC
Mayawati will chair a significant all-India meeting in Lucknow to discuss the party's electoral strategies. This meeting is set to focus on preparations for upcoming Assembly elections in several states. Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party has expressed his interest in contesting the Rajya Sabha elections. Mayawati previously questioned the Samajwadi Partys changes related to electoral tactics and its impact on Muslim votes.
Kashmir-shot film Obur wins Best Script Award
Ekta Nagar (Gujarat), Sept 22: A film shot against the backdrop of Kashmir has won national recognition, with Obur receiving the Best Script Award at the 72nd National Film Awards held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on Tuesday. Direct and screenwriter Faraz Ali was honoured with the award for Obur, a bilingual Hindi-Kashmiri short film that brings together regional storytelling traditions and explores themes rooted in the social and emotional realities of Kashmir. The film was shot in the Doodhpathri area and several downtown locations of Srinagar. Ali, who hails from Lucknow, travelled to Kashmir to shoot the film. Obur (2024), directed by Faraz Ali, follows a teenage horse guide who sets out in search of a lost digital memory. The story has been written by Shahnawaz Bhat and Faraz Ali. The films bilingual narrative combines Hindi and Kashmiri, with the screenplay drawing attention for its treatment of language, cultural authenticity and regional setting. Writing a screenplay across two languages presented creative and structural challenges, with the filmmakers seeking to retain the distinctiveness of Kashmiri storytelling while maintaining a cohesive cinematic narrative. The National Film Award recognition for Obur also brings the spotlight on Kashmir as a setting for contemporary cinema and highlights the contribution of regional stories and voices to Indian filmmaking. The National Film Awards are among Indias highest honours in cinema and recognise excellence across filmmaking, screenwriting, acting and technical categories in different languages and regions.
Maya calls nationwide BSP review meet amid changing political scenario
UP legislative council polls for 11 graduate, teacher seats on Oct 23
CCTV shows UP home guard candidate staggering before collapse; probe examines his final moments
Experts to share insights on east UP growth at TOI Dialogues
UP STF arrests wanted cyber fraudster in Rs 7.29 crore scam; victims lured with fake stock training
Lucknow police launches PRAMAAN to map accident hotspots, prevent road deaths
NHAI bars Theme Engineering from bidding for new highway projects
New Delhi: State-owned NHAI has barred Theme Engineering Services, a consultancy agency involved in Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway construction, from participating in any bids for highway projects of the Road Transport Ministry/NHAI for two years, a senior government official has said. NHAIs action came after a stretch of the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway was damaged, with the highway authority Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
SP-Congress alliance faces fresh friction in UP ahead of polls
Lucknow: On a day when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin toured western Uttar Pradesh to firm up the partys poll strategy, two prominent opposition voices from the region sparred over which leader brings more value to the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. Samajwadi Party MP from Kairana Iqra Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
My Appeal To The Heritage Conscious People Of Lucknow And India
Lucknow is the city where I was born (though I grew up in Allahabad), so I have a special affinity for it. It too is a kind of Prayag, which, though having only one river, the Gomti, became renowned all over India for being the center of the Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb.
Stand-Up Comedian Pulkit Mani Cancels 3 Shows After Row Over PM Modi Mimicry At Rahul Gandhi Event
Madhya Pradesh | Comedian Pulkit Mani shared the stage with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the Chhatron Ki Goonj programme in Indore, where he performed a mimicry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the event, Mani claimed that his shows in Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur were cancelled amid alleged threats. He said his Lucknow and Kanpur shows were cancelled due to repeated threats from goon activists, while his Noida show was earlier cancelled citing unforeseen circumstances. The performance drew criticism from the BJP, with party leader Sudhanshu Trivedi accusing Congress of turning politics into a circus.
Tragic Incident During Home Guard Recruitment Run in Lucknow Claims Young Mans Life
A young man died under suspicious circumstances during a Home Guard recruitment run in Lucknow, prompting an investigation. Tragic Incident During Home Guard Recruitment Run in Lucknow Claims Young Mans Life
UP CM directs Civil servants to ensure minor incidents don't turn Major
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday heard the public grievances and reviewed applications during the Janta Darshan held in Lucknow, personally taking notes of their concerns.
Viral videos showing damaged vending machines at Lucknows Rashtriya Prerna Sthal have sparked a social media debate over civic sense and the treatment of public property. The incident has also revived earlier concerns about petty damage at the newly opened attraction.
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 22: In an era when universities are increasingly judged by the relevance, quality and reach of the knowledge they create, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a promising centre of research excellence.
Comedian Pulkit Mani cancels UP shows amid Modi mimicry row
Comedian Pulkit Mani's stand-up shows in Noida, Lucknow, and Kanpur have been cancelled following epeated threats from goon activists. This comes after he performed a mimicry of Prime Minister Modi alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at an event in Indore, sparking significant controversy and criticism from the BJP. Mani has since reported receiving hate messages online.
Mimicry at Rahul Gandhi's event: Comedian cancels three shows due to 'repeated threats'
Comedian Pulkit Mani has cancelled upcoming shows in Noida, Lucknow, and Kanpur. This decision follows repeated threats from activists after his performance with Rahul Gandhi. Mani had mimicked Prime Minister Modi during an event in Indore. The Congress party faced criticism from the BJP for the skit. Mani has been sharing screenshots of hate messages he received online.
A Deputy Commandant with the Sashastra Seema Bal was removed from service after a woman told his department they were married and that he had hidden this while joining the force. The officer challenged the removal in the Allahabad High Court, saying no valid marriage had ever taken place and the claim was made only to pressure him. The Lucknow bench has now quashed the removal order and sent him back to duty, though the period he was out of service will count as no work, no pay.
ECI announces Rajya Sabha polls for UP, Uttarakhand seat; voting on October 16
KGMU Recruitment 2026 - Apply for 19 Research Officer and Research Co-ordinator Posts
King George Medical University, Lucknow has invited applications for 19 Research Officer (Non-Medical) and Research Co-ordinator posts under a Gates Foundation-funded project. Check post-wise vacancies, qualification, salary, age limit, application process, interview date and important instructions.
Doctors cannot evade govt service bond after subsidised PG education: HC
The Allahabad High Court has held that doctors who pursue postgraduate medical education at government institutions at subsidised rates cannot evade the mandatory government service bond attached to their admission. A bench of Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary in Lucknow on Monday said the requirement of two years of compulsory government service was intended to ensure the availability of doctors in government hospitals and protect patients' right to life. The court said a mere administrative delay in providing a posting would not, by itself, extinguish the bond obligation. The bench made the observation while hearing a petition filed by Dr Aparupa Sen Gupta, who had completed MD (Transfusion Medicine) from SGPGI, Lucknow. Sen Gupta had contended that since the government did not provide her a posting within three months of completion of her course, her two-year compulsory service bond should be treated as having lapsed. The court rejected the contention,
CS reviews functioning of Rehabilitation Council in its executive council meeting
Srinagar, Sep 21: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired the 12th Executive Council Meeting of the J&K Rehabilitation Council for Orphans, Women and Disabled Persons to review its functioning, achievements and action plan for 2026-27. The Meeting besides the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department was attended by Secretary in Social Welfare Department; DG, Budget; and Executive Director, Rehabilitation Council here. The meeting reviewed major welfare interventions undertaken during the previous financial year and approved an expanded roadmap focused on improving mobility and self-reliance among specially-abled persons besides providing greater national exposure and opportunities to children from vulnerable and economically weaker sections. A major focus of the meeting was the free distribution of retrofitted motorized tricycles to eligible orthopedically disabled persons of J&K. The initiative prioritizes students, girl students, artisans and small vendors who possess a Priority Household (PHH) ration card and have at least 40 per cent locomotor disability. It was given out by the Commissioner Secretary, SWD, SarmadHafeez that during 2025-26, against an approved proposal of Rs 13 crore, the Social Welfare Department released Rs 11.05 crore under the CAPEX Budget to the State Motor Garages Department for procurement of around 1,284 motorized tricycles at an approximate cost of Rs 86,000 per unit through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Similarly for 2026-27, the Council has proposed Rs 12.95 crore for procurement of around 1,500 units, with an initial Rs 4 crore already released after completion of mandatory codal formalities by the Department. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of the WatanKoJano Youth Exchange Programme, being fully funded and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, since 2012. The programme provides children and youth from vulnerable sections, including children of militancy-hit victims, specially-abled children and those belonging to economically weaker sections, an opportunity to experience the cultural diversity and developmental progress of different parts of the country. Under the programme, the Executive Director of the Council divulged that around 250 children from EWS families, studying in government schools and residing in Palash and Parisha Homes managed by the Social Welfare Department, undertook a visit to Lucknow and New Delhi in April 2026, accompanied by 23 coordinators. During the visit, the children also had the opportunity to meet and interact with the President of India and Vice President of India. Moreover, building on the initiative, the Council is going to take more 400 children on national exposure visits in two phases during 2026-27, covering the MumbaiNew Delhi and JaipurNew Delhi circuits, with funding already secured from the MHA. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to fast-track procurement and implementation processes while maintaining complete transparency and adherence to prescribed procedures. He also stressed maximizing outreach and ensuring that welfare schemes translate into tangible benefits for eligible beneficiaries at the grassroots level, with particular attention to empowerment and social inclusion of vulnerable sections across the cross section of the society here.
Indias historic bazaars are often treated as colourful remnants of the past: crowded lanes, old shopfronts, traditional crafts and familiar smells. They appear in heritage walks and tourist brochures as picturesque reminders of another India. But the bazaar was never merely a place of shopping. It was an economic institutiona place where production, trade, credit, labour and social life intersected. As Indian cities expand, many historic commercial spaces are changing rapidly. Traditional shops are being replaced by branded outlets, old workshops are disappearing, and residential neighbourhoods are increasingly disconnected from the commercial ecosystems that once sustained them. The question, therefore, is not simply whether India is losing old buildings. It is whether it is losing an entire form of urban economy. Historically, the Indian bazaar was deeply embedded in the structure of the city. In eighteenth-century North India, markets connected urban consumers with rural producers and specialised artisans. C. A. Bayly, in his study of North Indian society, demonstrated the importance of rulers, townsmen and bazaars to the functioning of the regional economy between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (Bayly, 1983). The bazaar was consequently not an isolated commercial space but part of a wider network of production, credit and exchange. Delhi provides an important example. Shahjahanabad, founded by Shah Jahan in the seventeenth century, was organised around a complex relationship between markets, neighbourhoods, religious institutions and the imperial centre. Stephen Blakes study of the Mughal capital shows that the citys commercial spaces were integral to its political and social organisation rather than merely places of retail consumption (Blake, 1991). The same pattern could be seen elsewhere. In Lahore, Amritsar, Multan, Srinagar, Lucknow and Hyderabad, bazaars connected urban consumers with rural producers and specialised artisans. A market could contain textile dealers, metalworkers, carpenters, food sellers, moneylenders and transporters within the same commercial ecosystem. The bazaar therefore brought together capital, labour and consumption. This is particularly visible in the history of Punjab. Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, commercial centres such as Lahore, Amritsar and Multan became important nodes in networks of internal and external trade. Contemporary travellers repeatedly commented on the commercial activity of Punjabs towns and cities (Forster, 1798; Moorcroft and Trebeck, 1841). The economic importance of these urban centres was closely connected to agriculture, craft production and long-distance commerce. The bazaar was therefore an important institution of economic integration. A farmer might sell grain to a merchant; the merchant might extend credit to another trader; an artisan might purchase raw material from a wholesaler; and the finished product could eventually travel hundreds of miles. Such relationships linked village production to urban consumption. This is why the disappearance of historic markets deserves more attention than it usually receives. When an old market loses its artisans, the loss is not simply architectural. The city loses a an overall production network. Consider traditional textile markets. A shawl, carpet or embroidered garment was historically the product of a chain involving raw-material suppliers, spinners, dyers, weavers, embroiderers, merchants and retailers. The shop at the end of the chain was only the visible part of a much larger economic system. The same was true of metalwork, leatherwork, woodwork and other crafts. In this sense, the traditional bazaar represented an economy deeply embedded in social relations. Karl Polanyis influential concept of the embedded economy is useful here: economic activity historically operated through social institutions and relationships rather than as a completely autonomous market system (Polanyi, 1944). The decline of historic bazaars also affects employment. Many traditional commercial districts contained small workshops where production took place behind or above the shop. A decline in demand for such spaces can push artisans out of the city altogether. Once displaced, the craft itself may become difficult to sustain. Kashmir provides an instructive example. Srinagars traditional markets historically developed around specialised forms of production and exchange. Shawls, carpets, papier-mch, woodwork and other crafts were connected to neighbourhoods and commercial networks. The citys economic history cannot therefore be understood simply through its monuments. Its markets and occupational neighbourhoods were themselves part of its heritage (Hamdani, 2021). The same principle applies to Amritsar. The citys historic commercial quarters developed around textile production, trade and pilgrimage. The relationship between the Golden Temple, surrounding bazaars, workshops and trading communities produced a distinctive urban economy. The history of Amritsar therefore cannot be separated from the history of the commercial communities that developed around it. If conservation protects only major monuments while allowing the surrounding commercial ecology to disappear, a substantial part of the citys history is lost. This raises a difficult question: What exactly should heritage conservation preserve? A building is relatively easy to identify. An economic relationship is much harder. It is possible to preserve a nineteenth-century facade while destroying the workshop that once operated behind it. A historic market can be renovated into a tourist street while the artisans who gave it economic meaning are priced out. The result may look like heritage but function as something entirely different. The danger is what might be called the museumification of the bazaar. A living market becomes a heritage attraction. Traditional crafts become souvenirs. Old buildings remain, but the economic communities that produced their meaning disappear. This is not an argument against urban development. Historic cities must adapt. Markets cannot remain frozen in the past, and traditional businesses must respond to changing consumer demand. The challenge is to ensure that modernisation does not destroy the economic diversity that makes historic commercial towns valuable. One way forward is to think of bazaars as living economic heritage rather than simply architectural heritage. This would mean documenting not only buildings but also occupations, supply chains, craft communities, merchant associations and patterns of credit. Heritage policies could identify traditional commercial clusters and provide incentives for artisans and small businesses to remain within them. Such an approach would also recover an important aspect of Indias urban history. As Bayly demonstrated, commercial networks and bazaars played a crucial role in connecting towns, merchants, artisans and rural producers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (Bayly, 1983). There is also a larger lesson here. Indias economic history was not created only in factories, ports and government offices. It was also created in narrow lanes where merchants negotiated prices, artisans worked at small benches, moneylenders extended credit and customers returned to familiar shops. The bazaar was an institution of economic trust. Its importance becomes especially clear when we consider how cities historically absorbed migrants. Traders and artisans could enter established markets because commercial networks provided opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Markets were therefore also mechanisms of social integration. The old bazaar often brought together activities that the modern city increasingly separates where people lived, worked, produced and traded. This apparent disorder was, in fact, a form of economic organisation developed over generations. The disappearance of these markets therefore represents more than nostalgia for an older city. It raises questions about what kind of urban economy India wants to build. Should historic commercial districts become exclusively tourist destinations? Should traditional crafts survive only as luxury products? Can small traders compete with organised retail and e-commerce? And can heritage conservation protect not just buildings but the communities and economic relationships that made those buildings meaningful? These questions require historians to look beyond monuments. A city is not merely its forts, mosques, temples, gateways and colonial buildings. It is also its markets, workshops, streets and occupations. The history of a city lives in the economic relationships that connect these spaces. Indias historic bazaars survived changes of rulers, colonialism, industrialisation and the arrival of modern consumer culture. Their greatest challenge may now be the transformation of the city itself. If the bazaar disappears, we may preserve the building but lose the economy that once animated it. And when that happens, we will not merely have lost an old market. We will have lost a way of making a city. Younus Yousuf Ganie, Research Scholar, Department of History and Culture, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Parties which oppose Owaisi, AIMIM dont want any semblance of political agency for Muslims
Uttarakhand students visit UP Assembly
Dy CM hears public grievances at Janata Darshan
Ram Temples first CEO takes charge: Trust makes policy; I execute it on the ground
Onam spirit comes alive with song, dance & tradition
Repertwahr returns for season 14: Festival set for Dec 1725
Home Guards aspirants death takes murder angle as post-mortem reveals asphyxia
Sonal Mansingh brings Natyashastra insights and stagecraft training to Bhatkhande University
ABVP protest at LU over hostel and admin issues
CM to launch LDA housing schemes
Forensics challenged cops self defence story
Bullet was fired in self defence: Court
No orchestra? Just tap: IIT-Kanpur makes music follow your fingers
10 years jail to cop for Apple executives murder in Lucknow
Youth gets 20-yearRI for raping minor
Woman scales tower near zooover land row
Connectivity hit as Mehndi Ghat pontoon bridge shifts riverward
Newborns body found in hospital toilet
Class X girl found dead in Lucknow, one held
Bike theft, Balaji trip and deadline: Wife, paramour plot hubbys murder in UP
UP STF busts forged FASTag racket used to evade toll tracking, online challans; 1 held
Minor convicted of raping 15-year-old girl in Bahraich, sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment
