THE LITERARY PARADISE: WONDERS OF HYDERABAD'S KOTI BOOK STREET

A bustling and vibrant neighbourhood. A maze of narrow streets and alleys lined with shops and vendors selling everything from clothes and jewellery to spices and electronics. However, what sets Koti Street apart from other markets in the city is its rich history as a centre for books. The market is home to some of the oldest bookstores in Hyderabad, which sell a diverse range of books, from academic textbooks and novels to religious and spiritual texts Koti Street attracts book lovers from all over the city and even beyond. The book market has become an important part of Hyderabad's cultural heritage, and it is a testament to the city's long history of scholarship and learning.

"It's one of the oldest book markets. People from various places come here in search of books," says Mahesh Jyoti from Jyoti Book Hub. Despite the rise of e-books and digital media, the book market on Koti Street continues to thrive. Since the 19th century, Koti Street has been a hub for booksellers and publishers. The area is home to some of the oldest bookstores in the city, including popular ones like Raja Pocket Books, Bhanu Book Depot, and Vishalandra Book House

In the early 20th century, Koti Street became the hub of intellectual activity in Hyderabad. The area was home to some of the most renowned scholars and writers of the time, who would gather in the coffee houses and bookshops to discuss literature and politics. During the Indian freedom struggle, Koti Street played a significant role in spreading nationalist literature and promoting the cause of Indian independence. Many of the books and pamphlets that were distributed during this period were printed and published on this street.

Despite its reputation for books, the street has practically everything. A notable feature of this street is that, unlike other markets where price bargaining is the usual, practically everything here is sold at fixed rates. This is seen by the numerous signboards with set rates that can be found around Koti. "Koti is an affordable market. As we buy directly from manufacturers, the same product is more expensive outside," explains Khalid Khan, one of the shopkeepers

Overall, Koti Street is a bustling and active district with a distinct mix of history, culture, and business The book market, ancient buildings, and street food booths all contribute to it being one of Hyderabad's must-see destinations