Cloth markets with costume jewellery and apparels fit for a queen
- Dhalgarwad, Bhadra
- Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm
It was on the porch of our house my grandmother sold cut pieces of fabric. This market owes its existence to women, but ironically today most of the shops are run by men.
From weapons to fabric
In the 16th century, this market was where armour (dhal) was manufactured and hence the name dhalgarwad. Today it is one of Gujarat’s most popular textile hubs with over 500 stores selling cloth material, dress pieces, saris, linens, bed sheets, towels, rugs etc. Silk and cotton most popular since it is best suited to the hot Ahmedabad weather.
Enterprising housewives
During the 20th century Ahmedabad was known as the ‘Manchester of the East”, there were cotton mills everywhere and the textile business was booming. Dhalgarwad, during that time was a residential area. While the men worked at the mills, their wives turned the leftover pieces of cloth from the factory into mattresses, blouses and shirts. What started as a ‘little income on the side’ became a flourishing business. Some of the women made twice what their husbands did. Not for long many of the men left their jobs and joined the women here at the market, making it what is today.
What to buy?
Head to Sabuwala, it is one of the oldest and most popular stores in this market and a great place to buy traditional tye and dye and stunning sari’s. The grandmother was one of the first ladies who set up a stall here: “It was on the porch of our house my grandmother sold cut pieces of fabric. This market owes its existence to women, but ironically today most of the shops are run by men.”