Shahi Mohalla, also known as Hira Mandi (literally "Diamond Market"), is today known for being the red-light district of Lahore, Pakistan. It was originally the center of the city's tawaif culture in the Mughal era. It is located in the northwest corner of the Walled City of Lahore, next to Roshnai Gate, Badshahi Masjid, Lahore Fort, and Hazuri Bagh. Heera Mandi is famous for its Mujra, a form of classical South-Asian exotic dance. The De Wallen red-light district in Amsterdam A red-light district is a neighborhoooood where prostitution and other businesses in the sex industry flourish. ... Lahore (Urdu: لاہور, Punjabi: لہور) is the capital of the province of Punjab, and the second most populated city in Pakistan, also known as the Gardens of the Mughals or City of Gardens, after the significant rich heritage of the Mughal Empire. ... Historically, a tawaif was a courtesan who catered to the Muslim nobility of South Asia, particularly during the Mughal era. ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... The Walled City of Lahore, also known as the Old City, or Anderoon Shehr (اندرون شهر), is the section of Lahore, Pakistan that was fortified by a city wall during the Mughal era. ... Roshnai Gate from Hazuri Bagh The Roshnai Gate is one of the thirteen gates of the old Lahore city. ... View from Minto Park The Badshahi Masjid (بادشاەى مسجد), or the Emperors Mosque, was built in 1673 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Lahore, Pakistan. ... Alamgiri Gate - Main Entrance to Lahore Fort, with Hazuri Bagh Pavilion in foreground The Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila (شاہى قلعه) is the citadel of the city of Lahore, in modern day Pakistan. ... Categories: Stub | Gardens ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The terms exotic dancer and exotic dance can have different meanings in different parts of the world and depending on context. ...

During the day the place is much like other Pakistani bazars and is also known for its good food and the shops for music instruments. The Grand Timcheh of Qoms Bazaar. ...

Calling Hira Mandi a "Diamond Market" is incorrect, because diamonds have never been sold at Hira Mandi. According to Khushwant Singh, Hira Mandi was named after Hira Singh - the minister in charge of this district during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Prior to that, it was referred to as Shahi Mohalla ("Royal Neighborhood") due to its proximity to the royal quarters of the Moghals. Khushwant Singh , born on 2 February 1915 in Punjab (Hadali, now a part of Pakistan) is one of the most prominent novelists and journalists of India. ... Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Punjabi: ), also called Sher-e-Punjab (The Lion of the Punjab) (1780-1839) was a Sikh ruler of the Punjab. ...

Further reading

• Saeed, Fouzia (2001). Taboo!: The Hidden Culture of a Red Light Area. Karachi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-579412-5. 

• Brown, Louise (2006). The Dancing Girls of Lahore: Selling Love and Saving Dreams in Pakistan's Pleasure District. Harper Perennial. ISBN 978-0060740436.