Saddar

Saddar

The word Saddar is derived from Arabic which means, the 'Chest', 'Center' or 'Main'. Owing to this derivation, it means the Central or Main bazaar. During the British Raj in South Asia, a number of Garrisons were established throughout Pakistan and India. Most of these cantonments, especially in Punjab region had one, two or three of the following bazaars:
1. Saddar Bazaar.
2. R A Bazaar i.e., Royal Artillery Bazaar.
3. Lal Kurti Bazaar i.e., Lalkurti meaning Red Shirts; derived from Redcoat, the uniform formerly worn by many soldiers in the British Army, and a name used for the soldiers themselves.
The following important cantonments or cities of Pakistan have Saddar Bazaars; Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Jhang. Pictured above is Saddar Bazaar in Rawalpindi.

Photos: Vintage Pakistan
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