Old and Charming: India Street Pedestrian Mall

India Street in 1950s

India Street is the oldest mall at Kuching, still charming and busy as the shopping hub for Kuching people. India Street got its name from the Indian people that occupied shops along the street. Back to old days, most of Indian owners were from the southern and northern India. So there was, India Street was known as Kling Street or 'Kiling Street' by Chinese people in 1850s.

Later, in 1928, the third white Rajah of Sarawak, which was Sir Charles Vyner Brooke changed the name to India Street. In 1992, the street was closed to vehicular traffic and converted into pedestrian mall. In 2011, the middle road between India Street and the Old Court received transformation and become the pedestrian walk which leads people to the next main door for the newest shopping plaza at Kuching, Plaza Merdeka. 

India Mosque Lane (also known as 'Lorong Sempit')

Inside the circle of India Street territory, the India Mosque Lane, which connects India Street and Gambier Road. It is the well known shortcut among local people. This passageway had been restored to its original state since early 70. Along the passageway, the old and classic Masjid Bandar Kuching built in 1834.

There's a main bazaar near to the old dock which now turns into the leisure park with gazebo, public toilet and parking lot (sometimes it can be used as the temporary stalls during peak time celebration). Gartak Street and Carpenter Street were the neighbour for a very long time. Actually, back to the old days of those old streets, Carpenter Street was occupied by most of Chinese, India Street occupied by Indian people while Gartak occupied by India Muslim and Malay. Even until now, Carpenter Street is monopolized by Chinese (carved with the image of dragon, so red and big Chinese archway), 70% of shops along India Street is owned by Indian Muslim textile merchant and food court, and Gartak Street is the remix.

India Street (present day)

India Street is not only famous to local Sarawakian people but also been recognized by domestic and foreign tourists. Most of items can be bought in a appropriate price with different choices and design. There are many Indian area at Malaysia such as Masjid India at Kuala Lumpur or Penang Little India but India Street remains as the classy, old and charming pedestrian mall from Brooke's era.

#MaGi2012