Meet verified people in Bhopal’s Old City

Bhopal’s Old City lies north of the Upper Lake, around the historic Chowk Bazaar, the grand Taj-ul-Masajid and the Lower Lake. It was the seat of the Begums who ruled Bhopal for over a century, and its lanes are full of old mosques, havelis, markets and food stalls famous for kebabs, biryani and sweets. For Myra members, the old city offers a characterful setting for a first or second date, with plenty of history and flavour. Introductions here often include people from Peer Gate, Ibrahimpura, Jahangirabad, Budhwara and Kohefiza. Urdu and Hindi are widely spoken, and shared language often appears as a reason on introductions. A walk through Chowk Bazaar, a visit to a historic mosque and tea at a famous old café make a memorable outing. The area is busiest in the evening and during Ramzan, when the food stalls stay open late. Meeting at a landmark, such as the Taj-ul-Masajid gate, makes it easy to find each other. For a calmer first meeting, a weekday afternoon visit to one of the old cafés is a good choice, when the lanes are quieter and the tea is just as good. Shahjahan Begum, who ruled in the late nineteenth century, built Taj-ul-Masajid, and the old city’s Moti Masjid was commissioned by her mother, Sikandar Begum. Zardozi embroidery, worked in gold and silver thread on velvet bags and garments, is still made by families in these lanes.