In the complex tapestry of urban environments, public spaces have long been seen as the central hub of community life, enabling interactions, economic activities, and cultural expressions for individuals from various backgrounds. These communal areas, including parks, markets, shops, and recreational spots, are seen as inclusive centres where people from all walks of life can converge, engage, and participate in the dynamics of contemporary urban living. However, closer scrutiny reveals that entrenched systemic barriers and societal norms frequently challenge the concept of public spaces being genuinely accessible to all members of society.
Despite the idealised image of public spaces as democratic arenas, the stark truth is that specific segments of society have historically faced marginalisation and exclusion, limiting their full engagement with and benefits from these shared spaces. Women, people with disabilities, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and those with oppressed caste or gender identities often encounter hindrances that restrict their navigation and sense of ownership within public domains.
My Master’s study critically examined the multifaceted gender dynamics influencing women’s experiences in the lively public spaces of Fancy Bazaar, a prominent commercial centre in the core of Guwahati city. Using qualitative methods, the research aimed to uncover the complex ways in which the gendered division of public spaces impacts women’s mobility, access, and their overall feelings of security and belonging.
History of Fancy Bazaar
Fancy Bazaar is a chaotic, messy place, but the amalgamation of diverse identities lends it a certain charm. The old name is Faasi (in Assamese, it is written as ‘ফাঁচী বজাৰ). This bazaar is more than 100 years old, and, being near the Brahmaputra, it now reflects the hustle and bustle of modern Guwahati. Fancy Bazaar shares the same history as Panbazaar and Paltanbazaar, also well-known commercial hubs in Guwahati. All these sites have seen the inward migration of different communities, especially from North India. During the 1940s, most of the land in Fancy was owned by Muslim families who had migrated from erstwhile East Bengal. The rest was owned by Assamese Hindus. The modern version of Fancy Bazaar was developed mostly after the establishment of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation in 1974. We can still see the influence of the early Muslim community, which built markets around the masjids. Kamarpatty Masjid is one of the oldest masjids, established in 1826. The Bazaar now boasts a harmonious mix of various religions. Masjids and gurudwaras stand in the same lane, and people from various religious backgrounds and identities are welcomed without prejudice. Fancy has been compared to the Chandni Chowk market of Delhi, selling goods ranging from garments and glassware to grocery items, brass, and bell-metal. Although the written history of Fancy is hard to find and not much has been documented by historians and researchers, the only book that I was able to find was ‘Itihasar Chhan-Poharat Purani’ (Guwahati: Guwahati of the Recent Past) by Kumudeswar Hazarika, which was published in 2002. Here he described the history of Fancy Bazaar as:
During the British rule in Guwahati, there were four markets. These markets were Paltanbazaar, Dalanghat Bazaar near Bharalu Bridge, Chokbazaar in Latashil, and Sadarbazaar. This Sadarbazaar is the present-day Fancy Bazaar. Initially, this market was located near Fancy Bazaar Ferry Ghat (across the lane). Later, it was shifted to the present location (where the multi-story market complex is under construction after being gutted by fire). In those days, there used to be the elephant stable of Barbaruah near the area where the present jail is located. A Mughal commander named Alahar Khan had also constructed a warehouse on the southern bank of Guwahati near this area. There was no human settlement in the area where the present jail is located. Much of the area towards the south was covered with forests, wetlands, and marshes. Hardened criminals were hanged in the jail premises. After the market was shifted near the hanging area, it came to be known as Fasi Bazaar. In the language of the Bengali traders, the name became Fancy Bazaar at some point. Now, they call it Fancy Bazaar, while the Assamese people call it Fasi Bazaar. Even in the municipal records, this market is named Fasi Bazaar. The eminent Assamese poet Raghunath Choudhury once mentioned to me that he had witnessed the scene of criminals being hanged in the jail premises. (Translated from Assamese.)
Ethnographic research
The ethnographic research method was chosen for this qualitative research as it is best suited to in-depth studies. Research participants gave their consent, and the reasons for the data collection and its intended use were explained before any questions were asked. The secondary data was collected through journals, research articles, magazines, books, blogs, web pages, and official documents. The participants were selected through purposive sampling techniques. Female respondents were chosen because the focus was on the lived experiences of women in Fancy Bazaar. Data were gathered from 19 respondents, out of which seven were female shopkeepers and 12 were female customers. Data were collected through audio-recorded interviews, handwritten notes, and a two- to three-month period of non-participant observation. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Given that the interviews were predominantly conducted in Hindi and/or Assamese, the data collected within this framework were first translated and transcribed. Subsequently, ‘clusters of meaning’ were identified, and the data were categorised into different emerging themes and sub-themes to ensure that the content was both coherent and succinct.
Major Findings
Safety Perception and Experience:
The data presented in the study reveal a diverse spectrum of safety perceptions held by the participants, demonstrating a wide range of emotions, from a sense of complete safety to feelings of unease and apprehension. Out of the seven female shopkeepers, all of them agreed that the space in which they are doing their business is safer than any other place in Guwahati. And, because most of them have been living in Guwahati for more than 10 or 15 years, they have now gained the confidence to compete with male businessmen in the Fancy area. Female customers, on the other hand, expressed their concerns about potential harassment and discomfort caused by instances of unwarranted staring and excessive crowding in the marketplace. When asked whether they go around in the public space of Fancy Bazaar alone or with others, more female shopkeepers than female customers said they go alone.
Accessibility and Amenities:
The study participants identified numerous concerns regarding the accessibility and facilities provided by Fancy Bazaar, including the existence of congested marketplaces and the unclean condition of public restrooms. Many women said that they were reluctant to use the restrooms because they were concerned about hygiene. Others mentioned that they found it difficult to navigate the crowded stalls and that their main concern was about having their personal belongings stolen.
When the responses of both the female shopkeepers and customers are analysed, two contrasting perspectives arise. On the one hand, the shopkeepers find it easier to use the restrooms, as they are in the areas where their shops are. So, they do not have to go far to find a toilet. However, none of the female customers interviewed used the restrooms inside the markets. Although facilities were available, the unhygienic conditions of the toilets meant that they did not wish to use them.
Other concerns that emerged from the interviews included parking issues that contributed to increased congestion in Fancy’s public space, as well as problems with the footpaths. The female shopkeepers mainly expressed concerns about parking and footpaths, while the female customers were more concerned about the overcrowding that made them uncomfortable. Five of the customers interviewed shared their concerns about overcrowding.
Police presence and law enforcement:
The data indicated a clear perception among the community regarding the need for increased police visibility and implementation of more efficient law enforcement strategies in the vicinity of Fancy Bazaar to guarantee the safety and security of both merchants and patrons. The respondents emphasised a range of factors associated with police presence and law enforcement that have the potential to enhance the overall safety levels within the area. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the identified concerns and implementing targeted initiatives to address the safety and security needs of the Fancy Bazaar community.
Women’s sense of safety and security in public areas at Fancy Bazaar was found to be significantly increased by the presence and visibility of law enforcement, particularly female police officers. Many interviewees emphasised the need for additional female officers to be assigned to the area and for there to be a greater police presence.
Gendered Spaces: A Comparative Analysis of Beltola Market and Fancy Bazaar
In the diverse and dynamic landscape of the communal areas within the urban setting of Guwahati, the Beltola Market emerges as starkly different from Fancy Bazaar. Beltola Bazar, one of the oldest traditional biweekly markets of Guwahati City, catering to residents’ needs for fresh vegetables and other essentials, lacks basic facilities like toilets and drinking water. The market comes alive on Thursdays and Sundays of every week, on a 1.2-km stretch from Beltola Tiniali to Jayanagar Chariali. Even though both marketplaces pulsate with vibrant commercial transactions and engagements, the way women are represented and engaged within these spheres reveals discernible trends and inequalities that demand a more intricate and thorough investigation. The contrasting experiences of women in these two markets can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors, including cultural norms, socioeconomic status, and the persistent influence of patriarchal structures.
Within Beltola Market, the prevalence of indigenous women engaging in street vending activities can be comprehended as a manifestation of their deeply ingrained customs and the pivotal function they fulfil in upholding the well-being of their respective communities. The communal space transforms into an expansion of their private sphere, affording them a platform to assert their autonomy and financial independence while also maintaining their cultural heritage and connections.
Conversely, within the confines of Fancy Bazaar, the restriction of women to formalised retail spaces and conventional roles as purveyors of goods primarily targeted at women could potentially be influenced by societal norms, class distinctions, and the perceptions around particular occupations being deemed more ‘suitable’ or ‘reputable’ for women. Moreover, the discernible gap in female representation across various sectors within Fancy Bazaar prompts a critical examination of how gender intertwines with other social markers like class, caste, and ethnicity, as well as the impact on accessibility to communal areas and economic prospects.
Conclusion
The comprehensive examination of the experiences and perspectives of women residing in the dynamic commercial centre of Fancy Bazaar brought to light a multifaceted and intricate tapestry of obstacles, possibilities, and ambitions. The research results provide a poignant reminder that the quest for genuinely inclusive and fair public spaces demands a multidimensional strategy that goes beyond mere physical infrastructure and design considerations.
At the heart of this challenge lies the pressing need to deconstruct the deeply ingrained societal norms, stereotypes, and prejudices that have perpetuated the marginalisation of women in public spheres for an extended period. This calls for a concentrated endeavour to challenge the prevailing ideas of gender-based marginalisation and bias, creating an atmosphere where the voices, experiences, and needs of women are not just recognised but actively integrated into the decision-making processes that mould our urban areas and societies.
In conclusion, the path towards establishing genuinely inclusive and gender-responsive public spaces is a collaborative effort that demands consistent dedication, cooperation, and a readiness to tackle and dismantle the systemic obstacles that have historically marginalised women. It is through this multi-faceted approach, encompassing policy alterations, enhancements in infrastructure, awareness campaigns, and the amplification of women’s voices, that we can pave the way for a future where public spaces evolve into sanctuaries of empowerment, respect, and equal opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of gender.
Women’s Experience of Public Space in Fancy Bazaar, Guwahati, Assam
By Chandan Jyoti Konwar
Summer School 2024, Foundation Track Scholar
