One of the largest flea markets in India, Chor Bazaar has a fascinating history that spans over 150 years. Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar which literally means “thieves market” was originally called Shor Bazaar which was later changed to Chor Bazaar because of the mispronunciation by the British.
Located in South Mumbai, Chor Bazaar is full of crowded streets and crumbling buildings and can be a little overwhelming for a new passerby. However, the streets boast of all kinds of goods, many of them stolen. From handicrafts to antiques, several shops display a varied collection of bronze bells, horns, milk pails, vintage kettles, gramophones, cameras, limited edition old movie posters to clocks, century-old decorative objects and spare automobile parts.
However, due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, even though the streets have not been crowding and the shopkeepers have not been make sales like they used to in the pre-pandemic era, vendors from the market still believe Chor Bazaar’s popularity will not completely fade away, and it will be able to live on its past glory.
In this market in Mumbai, you can hope to find not only unique pieces of goods but can meet interesting people as well. Sartaj Qureshi, a 37-year-old shop owner, who repairs and sells old wristwatches, moved from Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, to Chor Bazaar, Mumbai, to get into the business of selling antique wristwatches.
Legends say that if you have lost any of your belongings across the city, you are sure to find it in the ancient Chor Bazaar in Mumbai.
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