While the current shop was established in 1950, the family's involvement in the bangle trade goes back several generations. "Our forefathers used to supply bangles to the families of the Nizams," says Anwar, a second-generation bangle seller continuing his family’s long-standing legacy.
Published Jul 14, 2025 | 9:39 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2025 | 9:39 AM
(LTR) Muhammad Zubair, Muhammad Anwar, and Muhammad Jaffar with the 109 handcrafted bangles made for Miss World contestants.
Synopsis: When Hyderabad hosted the Miss World Heritage Walk, 109 contestants from around the globe arrived to experience the city’s culture and charm. Khaja Bangles in Laad Bazaar was chosen to prepare a special gift for each of them. The shop is best known for its lac bangles. Each one is distinct – moulded by skilled hands and embellished with carefully placed stones. Traditional techniques used by home-based craftsmen lend every piece a sense of quality and authenticity.
Mention bangles to any Hyderabadi, and Laad Bazaar is the first name that comes to mind. Just a short walk from the iconic Charminar, it brims daily with colour, chatter, and the soft chime of glass bangles.
Among the many shiny shops that line the bazaar, Premium Khaja Bangles has stood at the same spot for over seven decades.
Premium Khaja Bangles in Hyderabad’s Laad Bazaar.
Amidst the rows of dazzling bangles neatly arranged under warm shop lights, Muhammad Anwar sits calm and composed – a second-generation bangle seller continuing his family’s long-standing legacy.
“My father started this shop in 1950,” he says, adjusting a tray of bangles with practised ease. The roots of Khaja Bangles run deeper than the shop itself.
While the current store was established in 1950, the family’s involvement in the bangle trade goes back several generations. “Our forefathers used to supply bangles to the families of the Nizams,” Anwar says, his voice marked with quiet pride.
The shop is best known for its lac bangles. Each one is distinct – moulded by skilled hands and embellished with carefully placed stones. Traditional techniques used by home-based craftsmen lend every piece a sense of quality and authenticity.
While Khaja Bangles has seen decades of loyal customers, Anwar’s son, Muhammad Jaffer, recalls a time when business was less vibrant. “There was a phase when college-going girls thought bangles were only for married women or old ladies,” he says.
“They didn’t see it as fashionable anymore, and that was reflected in our sales.”
But things began to change after the pandemic. With a renewed interest in traditional wear and the influence of social media aesthetics, younger customers returned to bangles with fresh eyes.
To keep up with the times, Khaja Bangles has moved beyond the glass shelves and display trays and embraced the digital space.
Jaffer led the transition to social media, taking the shop online via Instagram and WhatsApp, where customers can browse collections, place orders, and even request customised sets.
The legacy of Khaja Bangles is no longer confined to the narrow lanes of Laad Bazaar. In recent years, the family was invited to represent Telangana at international exhibitions held in Dubai, Malaysia, and Singapore – an opportunity they credit to the support of the state government.
(RTL) A 50-year-old photograph featuring Muhammad Anwar and his father, Khaja Saheb.
For them, these exhibitions were about more than just selling bangles. They were about storytelling, cultural pride, and showing that handcrafted traditions still hold value in today’s fast-paced world.
When Hyderabad hosted the Miss World Heritage Walk, 109 contestants from around the globe arrived to experience the city’s culture and charm. The shop was chosen to prepare a special gift for each of them.
Each contestant received a handcrafted set of bangles that featured not only the Indian flag but also their own country’s flag and photograph – making it a deeply personal and symbolic gesture.
“It was our way of welcoming them, of giving something more than just a souvenir,” Anwar recalls. The task was no small one. It took 27 to 28 days of careful planning, customisation, and handcrafting to complete the sets.
And it wasn’t the first time the shop had crafted bangles for someone high-profile. A few years earlier, during Ivanka Trump’s visit to Hyderabad, Khaja Bangles produced a set that was gifted to her as well.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
