News in Frames: Old world in a busy market

TThe wholesale market in Vellore district is always lively. Vehicles honk their horns as they make their way through the narrow lanes as people navigate crowded roads lined with vendors of vegetables, fruits and other basic commodities. Still, there are shops in the crowded market that seem to belong to a bygone era.

A watch repairman continues his work in the heart of the city. A seller of gas lanterns has his wares on display. A harmonium repairman tends to musical instruments, while an old tailor works in a shop surrounded by greengrocers. Some of these traders have been in business here for generations, running shops that have survived alongside a changing market.

The market itself dates from the 19th century. It was established in 1868, two years after the Vellore municipality was created, right in front of the 16th century Vellore Fort.

The place was formerly used as a stable, where, according to historians, horses from the fortress were tied up. After the establishment of the village in 1866, a market opened with no less than 200 shops.

It grew in popularity over the years, attracting traders and customers from all over the region. Fruits, vegetables, varieties of millets, flowers and vegetables are brought here in bulk from neighboring states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra and then sent to various destinations. Today, the market has more than 700 permanent outlets and 300 temporary outlets. For many, it remains a lifeline and serves the daily needs of the city.

Where the old meets the new

Its history is also visible in the structures that remain. Installed in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in Delhi, the clock tower now serves as one of the main entrances to the market.

The east gate has another historical marker. Its foundation stone was laid on 6 April 1914 by the then British Collector Marjoribanks Esquire and Chairman of the Municipal Council Khan Bahadur Habibullah Sahib. The inscription on the clock tower states that 277 men from the village went to fight in the First World War between 1914 and 1919 and 14 of them died in battle.

Named after freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose by officials of the Vellore Town Vegetable Traders Association, the market has an elongated east-facing main entrance with 16 entrances on all four sides.

While the market has adapted to the modern era with ease, slices of older Vellore can be seen in odd corners basking in nostalgia.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

G. Arumugam, a third-generation trader, rents lanterns at Lang Bazaar, continuing the family business that has survived for generations.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Short break: A worker takes a nap while his colleagues unload sacks of onions at the market. Photo: venkatachalapathy.c/Thehindu

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Above the bazaar: An aerial view of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Market, a bustling wholesale market in the heart of Vellore.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Old Ground: The place that once served as a stable where the horses of the Vellore Fort were tethered is home to vegetable stalls.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Time Markers: The oblong east entrance is marked by a clock tower installed in 1911.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Before dawn: Workers carry boxes of flowers to shops in the middle of the night. The flowers will have to be displayed for sale at dawn.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Flower Bustle: The flower market comes alive as traders and workers sort, carry and move produce overnight.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Years in thread: At 91, S. Arunachalam continues to work as a tailor in the market, his shop surrounded by vegetable traders.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Correct Notes: Third-generation businessman D. Srinivasan repairs musical instruments at Bharat Musical Mart in Lang Bazaar.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Small essentials: Glass bangles, turmeric, kumkum and sacred threads fill the shop serving the daily needs of market customers. The shop is popular with women and children.

Photo: Venkatachalapati. C

Traces of time: Second-generation watchmaker R. Karunakaran works at Samy & Sons Watch Service Center, a business that started on Gandhi Road in 1958 before moving to the market.

Published – October 4, 2026 10:45 AM IST