Day 347: Mahatma Gandhi District, Houston, Texas

📌APIA Every Day (347) - Houston’s large South Asian population began emerging in the 1960s following the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act, which allowed for new immigration from Asia. By the 1980s, part of this community began concentrating around Hillcroft Avenue in what would eventually become the Mahatma Gandhi District. Since then, the area has become a cultural and commercial landmark for local Indian and Pakistani residents and businesses.

In the early 1980s, the neighborhood around Hillcroft Avenue in Southwest Houston was primarily undeveloped farmland with the exception of a fast food restaurant and an auto shop. This began to change as three South Asian businesses opened in the area, including the Sari Sapne clothing store, Karat 22 jewelry shop, and Raja Sweets bakery. The families behind these establishments—the Lullas, Patels, and Gahunias—are considered to be the “founding fathers” of the Mahatma Gandhi District. As more Indian and Pakistani immigrants arrived in Houston, the businesses became a central gathering point for newcomers to find a taste of home.

Soon after, driven by cultural demand, more South Asian businesses moved into the burgeoning neighborhood, leading to an increase in grocery stores, restaurants, clothing boutiques, jewelry shops, and salons. Just a few of these notable establishments include the Himalaya Restaurant, Bombay Sweets, Subhlaxmi Grocers, and Bismillah Cafe. Religious institutions like mosques and Hindu temples also followed, providing space for worship and community events. Over time, the district became more multicultural and is also home to several Persian and Afghan-owned businesses like Saffron Kabob House.

In 2000, local community members and the India Culture Center began advocating for formal recognition of the neighborhood. Eventually, in 2010, the Hillcroft area was officially designated the Mahatma Gandhi District. To commemorate this development, a monument and several street signs bearing the new name were installed throughout the area.

Today, Sari Sapne, Karat 22, and Raja Sweets are still operated by the founding families, standing as some of the city’s oldest South Asian businesses. As a whole, the Gandhi District continues to serve Houston’s population of over 100,000 Indians and Pakistanis, offering a space for locals to enjoy traditional foods, purchase cultural goods, and attend community events.

Written by Avneet Dhaliwal

LEARN MORE:

The Atlantic: The Restaurants of Stores Houston's Mahatma Gandhi District

Houston History Magazine: Pass the Naan: The Story of Houston's Mahatma Gandhi District

Texas Highways: The Mahatma Gandhi District Is the Epicenter of Indian Culture in Texas 

Authentic Texas: Houston's Mahatma Gandhi District Celebrates South Asian Culture 

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