Chickpet is another name for a beehive of commercial activity, both retail and wholesale, in the old town of Banglore between Nagarthpet and Balepet with its myriad lanes and bylanes. The lanes are bound to be confusing for a casual visitor, but one is bound to reach one of the main roads if one keeps on walking.

Saree emporiums

Chickpet is synonymous with sarees and textiles and is best known for its silk saree emporiums. The hundreds of saree shops in the locality are proud of their genuine silk sarees.

The competition is fierce and some shops hire “touts” to “drag” customers to their shops. But many shops have loyal customers who have been patronising them for decades.

It is a one-stop shop for wedding purchases.  Some people have been patronising these shops for genrations for their formal silks and wedding saree requirements. You can also find gold and silver ornaments, electric items, crockery, cutlery and glassware.

The silk emporiums are called “halls”. Thus you had Seethalakhsmi Hall and Maruthi Hall (established in 1895), Rukmini Hall (established 1943). Many of these establishments are over 75 years like Handloom Silk House and India Electric Stores.

The shop, Kaiser-i-Hind is over seventy five years old and was started in collaboration with a German company. They would provide garments and silk suitings to the royalty like the Maharajas of Gharwal and Mysore.

Many of the businesses are owned by the Marwari Jain community. There is a Digambara Jain temple and a Shwetambara Jain temple in Chickpet.

Wholesale centre

Local businessmen claim that this area generates the highest commercial taxes in the State. As a wholesale centre, Chickpet’s fame is spread far and wide and people from all parts of the State come here for their purchases.

The Bombay Anand Bhavan used to a popular place and patronised by the local people and known for its sweets and savouries.

A landmark building here is the Khaleel Building which houses the A R Khaleel Watch agencies. It is among the earliest watch and clock shops in the City. The other landmark is the Vijayalakshmi talkies.

Over the decades the silk saree has migrated to more sophisticated areas in the City like M G Road, Jayanagar among other places. But for wide choice, economical prices and wholesale business, Chickpet still rules the roost.

Chickpet is a sea of humanity and vehicles. Some feel Chickpet should be made a pedestrian zone. It has a history of 400 years and needs to be preserved.