Sherlock Holmes in Lahore: Part 2

A diamond is forever. This line was immortalized by De Beers and when we think of diamonds, the first image which comes to mind is that of the prospectors of Kimberley, South Africa, or the markets of Belgium or Surat, India. But in Lahore when the topic is diamond market, it means only and only one place: Shahi Mohalla (Royal Neighbourhood). Established by the Mughal Emperors some 500 years ago, it is located in the proximity of the Shahi Qila (Royal Fort) and Badshahi Masjid (Royal Mosque). The royals and the elites used to visit this place to entertain themselves with the music, singing and dancing. The most famous musicians and dancers used to live here. The beautiful girls (called Heeras or Diamonds) sat in the balcony type stalls to attract the visitors. Even though when the British came and the place was diluted with the ‘other’ trade, still there are dancers and musicians living in the area. But now it is synonymous with the Red Light area of Lahore. And then of those balcony type houses, one is converted into a 5-star restaurant, known is Cooco's Den, by one of the Area’s own, Iqbal Hussain, a maestro of arts and painting. The restaurant is frequented by elites of the city as well as foreigners. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are sitting on the roof top enjoying the food.

Picture Courtesy: Pakistan in Pictures

Watson: Since the days of my service in the Royal Army in India, I have never tasted such a delicious meal.

Holmes: (Looking at the paintings displayed on the walls and in some abstract thoughts) Hmm.

Watson: You are not going to taste some of the exquisite Pakistani cuisine on the table?

Holmes: It is the mind that needs food more than the stomach. To let the brain work without sufficient material is like racing an engine. It racks itself to pieces.

He moves from the table to the edge of the building. It is already dark but the street below is glowing. And the city of Lahore is glowing in mosaic with dark patches due to power outage in some parts. 

Holmes: You see Watson, the people below in the street are such a diverse mix. And I engross myself in deducing their professions, their lifestyles, their joys and agonies. Humans are such a riveting subject. For example, look at that teenage boy standing in the corner. He wants to see from the inside but has not enough money. The middle aged man, with uncombed hair, has lost all his money and is discarded. The other man down the house, is probably a driver and is in heavy debt, fearing for his life. And then the man who is well dressed is probably a rich one and...

Suddenly he catches a glimpse of something unexpected. He asks Watson to come at once and see. But then he tells him to settle the bill and meet him downstairs. And he rushes outside.

He sees Mujeeb walking briskly towards the end of the street, alone. They both follow him until he enters a house. Without the interpreter, who has excused himself for the evening, they cannot do much. There are no sign boards or anything on the house. They wait there and after an hour or so, Mujeeb comes out and with the same pace exits the area. They think of coming the following morning.

Next morning at 8 O’clock, they asked the interpreter to come to their hotel room. And when he hears that they intend to go to Diamond Market at this hour on a Sunday, he burst in to laughter. Both Holmes and Watson are perplexed. Then the interpretor explains that it is a nocturnal market and it opens only after sunset. So they wait. And immediately after sun set, they enter the same house.

A lady, in her 50s, probably the owner or the manager of the place, with one plait of her hair in her hands, asks them to come and sit comfortably on the lavish carpet. She asks them in Punjabi. The interpreter brags much about his command of the language but what he hears is totally unexpected. His face turns pale.

Holmes: What is the matter?

Interpreter: The only translation I can provide is that the lady is asking what we would like to eat. But I know it is not the right question.

Holmes: Ask her for the best that she can offer.

And then they wait and wonder what is this all about. The interpreter tells them that he is frequent visitor but he has never experience anything like this before. And then arrives the lady with a large tray. And there is only one dish. Chapli Kebabs with Roghni Naans. The interpretor, who by now has become sort of a guide, explains that this dish is not native to the city and it is only eaten and served in Peshawar and adjacent parts especially by the Pakhtoons. In fact, the city of Mardan is more famous for it, he explains.

Watson: If Mr. Mujeeb comes here only to eat this dish, then I guess he may belong to Peshawar?

Holmes: My dear Watson, your deduction powers are at peak tonight. Go on.

Watson: I mean why would a man like Mr. Mujeeb, who can afford any restaurant of the city would come here?

They eat while Holmes is busy in his thoughts as usual and not eating.

Watson: What is your guess, Holmes?

Holmes: I never guess. It is a shocking habit - destructive to the logical faculty.

They do not talk much during the rest of their meal.

Holmes: (On their return to hotel) I must admit my friend that the more I try to solve the case, the more intriguing it becomes. There are more half clues but no solution. Now this Peshawar connection. May be we should meet Mr. Mujeeb once again to know about his origins.

Early next morning, Holmes is up and returns from his walk, lilting.

Watson is still in his bed and is awakened by the sun rays coming through the windows which Holmes has just opened.

After breakfast, Watson asks him if he would like to go and explore the city.

Holmes: I am waiting for an email. I would better be in my room.

In the afternoon, the email arrives. 

Holmes: (Jumps in his chair) Look at this Watson.

Watson reads it:

Bovine: No

Canine: No

Equine: No

Feline: No

Porcine: No

Camel: No

Ovine: No

Rabbit: No

And Watson almost fall down when he reads the last line.

Human: Yes

Watson: Holmes, what is this?

Holmes: I woke up early and went to the University of Food Sciences where DNA Testing of food is done routinely. Pretending as an official from WHO, I asked the technician to determine the origin of the food sample, that I took from last night’s meal, on urgent basis and email me the results. And here we are.

Watson: But…

Holmes: Quick Watson. There may be lives at stake.

They rush towards the Neighbourhood where police have already arrived as Holmes have instructed the interpretor to take police to the place. In the kitchen they find a human corpse with limbs amputated.

Watson: Such a gory scene. I have never seen anything like this in my whole life.

Holmes: Grotesque my friend.

They leave the place and move towards the Royal Castle to explore the architecture of the Mughal era and revive the tales of Anarkali.

The End

(P.S. The story is based on folklore but the setting as well as names of people and places have been changed as it took place in a place far away from Lahore. I have included some quotes from the original Sherlock Holmes stories.)

Read Part1