India Street, Kuching

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India Street derives its name from the fact that it has always been a street occupied by Indian shops. At first it was called Kling Street in the 1850's but the third White Rajah of Sarawak, Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, changed the name to India Street in 1928. In 1992 the street was closed to vehicles and converted into a pedestrian mall.

Don't be fooled by the name "India Street". You can neither see Indian shops nor hear Indian songs here. Really don't know why this street is named as Indian Street, where I can't spot a trace of Indian culture.

There are goldsmith shops and shops selling clothings. Nothing special on this paedestrian street. You can give it a miss if you have no time to spare. However, you can buy Kuching T-shirt here at a reasonable price.

The name Jalan India (Indian Street) was coined in reference to the many Indian muslim traders in this vicinity.

Once the major shopping street in Kuching, the stretch of road has now been designated as a pedestrian walkway and more commonly referred to as the Indian Street Pedestrian Mall. Here, there are a variety of shophouses that has not changed much as in the past decades, trading colourful textiles, clothing, crockery and other essentials.

The storekeepers here are friendly and customers are encouraged to browse around the shops. Bargaining is part and parcel of life here, a good place to put one's bargaining skill to test.

AternatIvely, resting on the attractive wooden benches along the street observing life passing by is also fun. Or just proceed to the alley that connects the street with Jalan Gambier, and find your way to the well-hidden mosque (Masjid India) in between.