It is noticeable upon arrival at Khan Market that it is one of the higher end markets in Delhi. The outside stretches of shops display beautiful traditional Indian clothing, western labels, shiny trinkets and a variety of restaurants. A line of stands ready to convert foreign money into rupees borders one of the entrances into the market. The streets in Khan Market aren’t crammed full of people shopping or vendors working to attract customers like typical markets in Delhi are. Rather, people can be spotted shopping and dining in indoor shops where bargaining isn’t appropriate. It isn’t uncommon for there to be security guards in the doorways of shops, opening doors or whispering hello to incoming customers. Perhaps the most noticeable thing about Khan Market is its customers. Tourists fill the shops, sidewalks and restaurants. Khan Market is undoubtedly targeting customers that are from wealthier and higher status families. I make this assumption because Khan Market is notoriously known as the most expensive market in India. While India is full of markets and shops, Khan Market serves as an example of globalization in Delhi. It also reinforces the dichotomy between the rich and the poor populations in Delhi.
Khan Market is situated close to wealthy neighborhoods like Golf Links and Sundar Nagar. Both neighborhoods are full of large houses and hotels that are protected by high gates and sometimes security guards. I suspect that as these neighborhoods have continued to develop and gain status in the community, Khan Market has attracted these wealthy people thus the market has expanded. It is also in close proximity to India Gate, the Lodi Gardens, Sujan Singh Park and the metro. These areas are well manicured and preserved. The metro is one of the newer additions to the surrounding area and provides a cheap quick way to navigate the city. The reputation of Khan Market and this upscale area is likely to have had an influence on the creation of a stop right outside the market. The neighborhood surrounding Khan Market seems to be for wealthy Indians and tourists. Though there are many people from lower classes that work in these areas.
Through observation, I noticed that there is a rigid divide between the people who work in or around Khan Market and the people who shop there. Many times these workers travel unnoticed, they bring customers food, clear plates, put away clothes in retail stores, and shuttle people to their destinations. They are the invisible workers that make the whole market operate. Customers disregard for the workers in Khan Market demonstrates the divide between the rich and poor in India. The social profiles of the people who spend time in Khan Market are characterized by assumptions about the status and wealth of each person based on their role in the Market. It is easy to assume that because someone who is working a service job or selling trinkets on the side of the road, they are of lower status and have less money. It is also easy to assume that people who are shopping at this market are wealthy because of the high prices. Though assumptions are not always accurate it is human nature to profile people based on first impressions.
Based on observations, it became clear to me that Khan Market does not only serve as a destination for tourists and India’s elite. It is also a point of revenue for local people. For example, the Tuk Tuk drivers who line the street outside of the gate that encompasses the front of Khan Market are often able to charge more for their services to tourists merely because many people do not know what the appropriate price is. Additionally, because Khan Market is a hot spot for posh shopping and dining, Tuk Tuk drivers seem to get a lot of business. There is an obvious divide between customers and vendors/workers around the market. This stark contrast reinforces the division and is a reminder of India’s history with the British. In this sense, history lives on in the present power dynamic between the workers and shoppers in Khan Market.
This power dynamic can also be linked to globalization. Khan Market serves as an example of globalization in Delhi. Big label companies like Puma and Columbia can be found in Khan Market. Diverse restaurants can also be found lining the streets. There are western cafes, coffee shops, Mexican food, Indian food and Italian pizza. The representation of these different cuisines in a small space reinforces the idea of foreigners coming together in a collective space. In this collective space, people are supporting these different restaurants and big chain corporations that operate around the world. Support of these businesses only furthers the progression of globalization and ultimately the destruction of culture. Through imitating other cultures, traditional culture and history can be lost. As Delhi continues to globalize, development will continue to be influenced by outside cultures. With the transformation of old spaces into new ones, history will be lost in the transition.
The example of globalization in Khan Market demonstrates the influence that the west has had on Indian culture. Through globalization, people will start to adopt other customs and norms from other cultures and this can lead to the loss of one’s own culture. These effects can be seen through Delhi, the presence of new technologies has made the world more accessible and integrated. These effects can be seen in the media, on poster boards, restaurants and shops. Additionally, the divide between castes and status is illuminated through Khan Market. This divide is present throughout Delhi. While walking down the streets of Delhi, it is easy to make assumptions about status, education, and wealth based on the jobs people have and the clothing people are wearing.
It is important to recognize that I have only spent a little over a week in Delhi and I am making assumptions about India from a western lens. These assumptions are based off of observations I have made while spending time in Khan Market and conversations I have had with the University of Delhi students as well as Lewis and Clark students. This being said, Khan Market is an interesting example of how globalization has influenced India culture today. Khan Market also provides a stark example of the division between the rich and the poor in Delhi.