Mumbai Randi Bazar Images -
Randi Bazar, which translates to "prostitute market" in Hindi, is a euphemism for the sex trade that operates in many Indian cities, including Mumbai. The term "Randi" is a colloquialism used to refer to a prostitute, while "Bazar" means market. In essence, Randi Bazar refers to the buying and selling of sex services in a specific area or neighborhood.
: Originally settled in 1795 by Telugu-speaking construction workers called "Kamathis," who helped build the city of Bombay. In the 1880s, the British designated it as Lal Bazaar , a zone for European sex workers. The "Pinjras" (Cages) mumbai randi bazar images
Many NGOs and advocacy groups work towards improving the lives of sex workers, providing health services, legal aid, and education. Randi Bazar, which translates to "prostitute market" in
: The number of sex workers has dropped significantly—from an estimated 45,000 in 1992 to less than 2,000 in recent years—due to police crackdowns, the AIDS crisis, and gentrification. Photographic & Cultural Perspectives : Originally settled in 1795 by Telugu-speaking construction
Historically, the area featured a hierarchy of sex workers, including Jewish and East European women in "Safed Gully" (White Alley).