The picture of a marketplace is sure to represent the culture associated with that place. It is also true for Naidu’s poem ‘In the Bazaars of Hyderabad’. Here she makes us acquainted with the culture of Hyderabad, a city of India, as it was in the British India in her time. The Muslim Nizams ruled the region then and they were very wealthy.

The wealth of the place is evident in the choice of people in buying valuable things like crimson and silver turbans, brocade tunics, mirrors with amer panel and daggers with jade handles. Moreover, the delicate things made of gold like bells for the pigeon’s feet, girdles for dancers and scabbards of gold for the kings are all expressive of the rich tradition and cultural heritage of the place.

Mentions of sandalwood, henna, spices, board-games, magicians and musicians along with the regular groceries, fruits and flower chaplets– all show the various aspects of life of the people of Hyderabad. Their passion of music, likings for precious metals, enjoyments of life like magic shows and playing board games all are indicated through the listing of things available in the bazaar.