Makeover For Mandi's Majestic 'Kamans'

Mandis, or wholesale marketplaces, might be commonplace in many Indian cities with a rich history. What sets apart those in Hyderabad, though, are two distinct characteristics – their intricate architecture and the tales of its vendors.

- [e-mail]

One such iconic heritage site is the Mir Alam Mandi that’s been in continuous habitation for over 150 years now. Even today, families of some of the earliest vendors – it houses over 300 fruit and vegetable sellers – run the same business from the same quaint spot at the mandi. It is their stories of this market, named after the former prime minister of Hyderabad state, that make it unique. Of course, the exquisite design of its kamans -- inspired by Charminar's arches -- made using granite and plaster that make them of the sturdiest structures, cannot be ignored.