According to local lore, even notorious bandits like Sultana Daku and Phoolan Devi would blend into the crowd to buy horses.
With the closure of the market, locals say an era has come to an end. The two-acre plot that once hosted the bustling bazaar has been divided among members of the Panda family, the fair’s custodians, who have informed traders that it is no longer available for use.
In recent years, however, the number of participating regions dwindled, with traders primarily coming from Punjab, Gujarat, UP, and Haryana, selling horses in a price range of Rs 40,000 to Rs 40 lakh. Over 50 horses were sold every year.
“Around 10 to 12 breeds of horses would arrive each year for sale,” local historian Rupesh Singh told ToI. Prized breeds like Marwari, Sindhi, Kathiawadi, Spiti and Manipuri, which are valued for their speed, were star attractions. “The significance of the market went beyond commerce. This was a living relic of our past, where history and trade intertwined. It was a cultural institution that reflected the socio-economic dynamics of the region. Its closure is a loss not just for Kashipur but for the entire region,” ToI reported quoting Singh.
In recent years, the market’s survival had been in question due to a dwindling number of buyers. The announcement of its closure came as a shock to many traders who had traveled long distances, expecting another successful season.Chief priest of Ma Bal Sundari Devi temple, Krishna Gopal Agnihotri, told TOI: “We had no choice but to ask the horse traders to return.” As traders packed up their horses and began the long journey home, the dust settled on an empty field that had once pulsed with life.
