From India's first 24-hour bookstore to an "honesty library," New Delhi's Khan Market—which you can explore on our Heart of India adventure—is particularly renowned for its bookstores.
Question: Where has a former refugee haven been transformed into one of the world's most expensive retail locations?
Answer: Khan Market in New Delhi, India.
Squeezing more fiscal muscle into two acres than most city centers, Khan Market is a realtor's fever dream—where square footage trades like gold bullion. Its story began in the late 1940s, shortly after India gained independence from British rule. As the country grappled with the challenges of partition, many refugees from what is now Pakistan sought new homes in India. Among them were the Khans—a family of Pashtun origin (Pakistan’s second-largest ethnic group)—who were allocated this small parcel of land by the Indian government.
The market was officially established in 1951 and named after Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan—the brother of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (a prominent Pashtun independence activist and close associate of none other than Mahatma Gandhi). Initially, Khan Market consisted of 154 single-story shops and 74 flats on the first floor for shopkeepers. The original allottees were primarily refugees who had been uprooted during the partition, and the market was conceived as a means to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
In its early days, Khan Market was a simple neighborhood shopping center, catering to the basic needs of the local community. It housed essential businesses such as grocery stores, tailors, and small eateries. As the years passed, Khan Market's strategic location in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi—surrounded by government offices, embassies, and affluent residential areas—began to shape its destiny. The market gradually transformed from a modest shopping area into a coveted retail destination. By the 1980s and 1990s, it had started attracting upscale boutiques, bookstores, and international brands—setting the stage for its eventual evolution into one of world’s most expensive commercial real estate locations.
Today, Khan Market's constricted corridors house an expansive selection of shops, where limited space gives way to limitless variety—ranging from high-end fashion boutiques and jewelry stores to artisanal craft shops and gourmet food outlets. The market has become a microcosm of India's retail landscape, where traditional businesses coexist with modern, globalized enterprises.
Indeed, one of the most striking features of Khan Market is its eclectic mix of offerings. Visitors can find everything from designer wear and imported cosmetics to handcrafted textiles and local handicrafts. Khan market is particularly renowned for its bookstores, which stock a wide range of titles in multiple languages. These bookshops have become cultural institutions in their own right, often hosting book launches and literary events (see the "Fun Facts" section, below.
The culinary scene in Khan Market is equally diverse and enticing. From quaint cafes serving artisanal coffee to upscale restaurants offering international cuisine, the market has become a gastronomic hub as traditional Indian eateries sit alongside trendy fusion restaurants. The market is also home to several specialty food stores, where one can find imported cheeses, exotic spices, and gourmet ingredients that are hard to source elsewhere in the city.
However, Khan Market's evolution hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies. As its popularity soared, so did the concerns about preserving its unique character. The original single-story structures have given way to multi-level buildings, raising questions about the market's architectural integrity and safety. The increasing commercialization has also led to debates about maintaining a balance between modernization and preserving the market's historical essence. Despite these challenges, Khan Market continues to thrive and adapt. It has embraced technology, with many shops offering online ordering and home delivery services. The market has also become more environmentally conscious, with initiatives to reduce plastic use and promote sustainable practices.
Khan Market attracts an eclectic mix of patrons from various socioeconomic backgrounds. On any given day, one might encounter diplomats from nearby embassies, politicians discussing affairs of state over coffee, celebrities trying to blend in with the crowd, and tourists eager to experience this slice of Delhi's high life. This unique mix of patrons has contributed to Khan Market's reputation as a place where important decisions are made and deals are struck, often over casual lunches or shopping sprees. The term "Khan Market gang" has even entered the political lexicon, used to describe the elite, English-speaking, and globally oriented section of Indian society that is perceived to be disconnected from the country's grassroots realities.
10 Fun Facts About Khan Market:
- Khan Market was ranked as the 20th most expensive retail location in the world in a 2019 global survey.
- The market is home to India's first 24-hour bookstore, which opened its doors in 2015.
- The market boasts a unique "honesty library" where people can borrow and return books without any formal check-out system.
- Despite its upscale reputation, Khan Market still houses some of its original tenants—including a decades-old barber shop that has served generations of customers.
- The market has its own unofficial "mayor"—a long-time shopkeeper who acts as an informal mediator in disputes and represents the market's interests.
- Khan Market has been featured in numerous Bollywood films and television shows, often depicted as a symbol of Delhi's high society.
- During India's demonetization in 2016, Khan Market was one of the first commercial areas in Delhi to embrace digital payments fully.
- The market has its own distinct microclimate, often feeling a few degrees cooler than the surrounding areas due to its layout and greenery.
- Khan Market has a secret underground tunnel system, built during the British era, which is now used for storage by some shops.
- The market hosts an annual food festival that showcases cuisines from around the world, attracting food enthusiasts from across the country.
During our Heart of India adventure, stop by Khan Market during downtime in Delhi.
