India's largest red-light district.
Sonagachi
Why locals love it
Started by British East India Company as British soldiers' wives and girlfriends were in England. The East India Company used to bring local widows to the area for sex work. Its area contains several hundred multi-story brothels and an estimated 11,000 sex workers (2012).
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Why you should visit it
There are some legends that this area was owned by Dwarkanath Tagore. He and some local zamindars are said to have started a brothel business. Brothels extended in every direction, block after block. The area was a vast expanse of lanes, houses, shops, and of course, sex workers.
Special tip
Do not carry debit card, expensive mobile phone and much money.
Sonagachi
Kolkata 700005, West Bengal, IndiaMon-Su: 10:30-05:00