Mandi Ahmedgarh's Gandhi Chowk: From town’s centre to fading landmark

Once regarded as the town’s centre, Gandhi Chowk has now lost its sheen as most commercial establishments have shifted to the outer mandi area.

The elderly correlate the chowk’s design to the erstwhile Gandhi Chowk in Pakistan’s Karachi that was rechristened as Kabootar Chowk. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi that was installed there pre-Partition was also removed.

While the chowk in Ahmedgarh does not have a statue or memorial of Gandhi, it is remembered as a symbol of the historical intersection of two main avenues where public activities like auctioning and vending of agricultural products once took place.

The public well that served as a central point for the residents of surrounding gated localities, has also become non-functional.

Eight lanes radiating perpendicularly in four pairs still retain the chowk’s significance as a landmark affording direction to all sides of the old mandi area.

Commercial activities have changed drastically here with the next generations forgetting that there existed a sarafa bazar (jewellery) and bazar bajajan (cloths). Kessar Pansari Shop, Ganga Ram Sabzi Wala, Chaman Cloth Shop and most jewellers have shifted their commercial activities to more spacious premises at the Chaura Bazaar and Main Bazaar.

However, Billu di Dairy, Maru Sweets, Mothu’s eateries and Ghotney dee Hatti are among the few establishments that remained here and still attract loyal customers. People heading to foreign countries can be seen queuing to purchase Billu da milkcake and Maru di barfi for themselves and their families before leaving the country.

Master Amir Chand’s book stall and Jain Book Shop situated just opposite each other at the chowk still cater to the needs of students, ranging from schoolchildren to research fellows, who instead of visiting far off places to get books prefer to order these through the two businesses.